'This is a pretty unique situation.' Iowa Cubs roster full of prized prospects

Shortly after learning he’d been promoted to Triple-A, Chicago Cubs prospect Matt Shaw walked into the visiting clubhouse at Trustmark Park where the Tennessee Smokies had been playing on Aug. 4 and saw another celebration breaking out. Outfielder Kevin Alcantara and infielder James Triantos were smiling and hugging teammates after learning that they, too, were headed to the Iowa Cubs.

“You kind of figured they were getting called up,” Shaw said.

His assumption was right. The moment was certainly cause for celebration because not one, not two, but all three of the big Cubs prospects were headed to Triple-A at the same time. Their arrival, shockingly all at the same time, has helped make Iowa, the Triple-A franchise of the Chicago Cubs, one of the most prospect-packed teams in all of Minor League Baseball.

“It’s cool to be able to do it together,” Shaw said.

This could be just the start of things to come for the three, who all have giant expectations placed upon them. Shaw, a hard-hitting infielder, was Chicago’s first-round pick in 2023. Triantos, a speedy infielder, was a second-round pick in 2021. Alcantara, a multi-talented outfielder, was acquired from the New York Yankees as part of the Anthony Rizzo deal.

The three began the season in Double-A. But after successfully mastering Double-A pitching, Shaw, Triantos and Alcantara were promoted to Triple-A on the same day, giving Iowa a roster full of promising prospects. MLB Pipeline, which ranks the best up-and-coming players in every organization and all of baseball, has Chicago's top six prospects in Iowa's roster.

Pitcher Cade Horton, who is ranked No. 2, is on the injured list. But there are others including Shaw (1), Owen Caissie (3), Moises Ballesteros (4), Triantos (5), and Alcantara (6). Having a big prospect or two isn't uncommon for a Triple-A team. But having as many as the Iowa Cubs have is. It's particularly rare to see three top prospects join a Triple-A team all at once.

“This is a pretty unique situation for anybody that follows the organization,” said Iowa Cubs president/general manager Sam Bernabe. “And as a Cubs fan, you’re seeing something I’d be shocked if you see it again kind of thing.”

Bernabe recommends fans get to Principal Park. Fast. Because as fans have learned in the past, keeping them together is rare. Iowa’s roster has had its share of mega prospects before. The 2015 opening-day roster included Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Addison Russell. Baez missed the start of the season and Bryant was called up before all three could play together in Des Moines.

Iowa’s 2016 roster included Albert Almora Jr., Daniel Vogelbach and Willson Contreras. Almora and Contreras were called up that season while Vogelbach was traded. Those three were once considered the future of the Cubs, just like Shaw, Triantos and Alcantara are being looked at as promising pieces to Chicago’s success down the road.

But it's not something Shaw is worrying about.

“I think we kind of look at each other as all really great baseball players that are trying to accomplish the same goal of playing in the major leagues,” Shaw said. “But it’s kind of hard to look that far ahead and say whether we’re going to be on the Cubs by the end of this year or by next spring training. So, I think we’re just taking this opportunity for what it is and trying to enjoy it and play well.”

Time will tell just how successful the three will be and if they're even a part of Chicago's long-term plans. Chicago's roster is already loaded with talent in the outfield and around the infield. Even Shaw understands that there's still a lot of work to be done.

"At the end of the day, you really don't fall into your true value until you get to the big leagues," Shaw said. "It's great for us to be prospects. We all want to succeed and we all want to be successful big league players. But, until that day comes, we're still grinding in the minor leagues. We're still trying to get there. We all have a lot of work to do and I think when that time comes, hopefully we're all ready."

Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018, 2020 and 2023 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 'This is a pretty unique situation.' Iowa Cubs roster full of prized prospects