The Chicago Cubs acquired two prospects at the trade deadline, when right-handed reliever Mark Leiter Jr. was dealt to the New York Yankees in exchange for pitcher Jack Neely and infielder Ben Cowles. Following the deal, Cubs president Jed Hoyer expressed serious doubts that Cowles would play again in 2024, after going down with a wrist injury brought on by a hit by pitch.
Well, this was a pleasant surprise, as Cowles recently played in the Arizona Complex League and made it back on the field after starting as the designated hitter.
The good news does not stop there as Cowles has now been activated off the injured list and has joined the Tennessee Smokies at Double-A on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old last played on July 25, when he was still in the Yankees system at Double-A. The right-handed hitter was having a stellar year at the plate prior to the wrist injury, slashing .294/.376/.472, resulting in a 141 wRC+ with 9 home runs, 51 RBI, 52 runs scored and 14 stolen bases in 88 games.
Cowles was taken in the 10th round of the 2021 MLB Draft, selected 303rd overall out of Maryland. He was on the same college squad as Matt Shaw, the Cubs' 2023 first round pick.
So, the Cubs get to see Cowles in action for a few more weeks. The Smokies have six games left in the regular season, beginning Tuesday night, and then begin a playoff series next week against the Birmingham Barons.
Sure, you'd love to see Cowles continue his good hitting now that he's in Double-A for the Cubs, but him coming back quicker than expected from a broken wrist is already a huge positive. Hopefully there aren't any setbacks moving forward for Cowles and he can settle into a new system with the Cubs.
Although Cowles isn't considered a premier prospect, he has defensive versatility around the infield and depending on how real his 2024 results are, he can eventually be a bench bat at the major league level.
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