The Chicago Cubs: Could they have a diamond in the rough with this prospect

The Chicago Cubs have some premier talent coming in their organization, but could they potentially have a diamond in the rough on their hands with this top prospect?

The Chicago Cubs currently have seven prospects in MLB.com top 100 list with a few of them looking to debut with the Cubs at some points in 2025. When looking at the Chicago Cubs list of their top 30 prospects one name in the middle of the pack could figure to be potential diamond in the rough for the Cubs.

The Chicago Cubs top prospects

The current holder of the best prospect in the whole Chicago Cubs organization is Matt Shaw who if all goes well will be the Cubs starting third basemen and someone else will take over that mantle. Following Shaw on the list is outfielder Owen Caissie, then Cade Horton who could figure to be a part of the rotation this season, then there’s catcher/first baseman Moisés Ballesteros, with James Triantos rounding out the top five. All of whom appear on MLB.com top 100 prospect list. There is one player however, who is on the Cubs top thirty prospect list, but is not on the top 100 list could potentially be a diamond in the rough for them.

The speedy Brett Bateman (No.16 prospect)

The 22-year-old Bateman was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the eighth round of the 2023 MLB June Amateur Draft from the University of Minnesota. Between High-A South Bend and the Double-A Tennessee Smokies Brett Bateman played in a total of 107 games, 110 hits, 12 doubles, 3 triples, 1 HR, 30 RBI, 30 stolen bases, with a slash line of .272/.382/.324 for an OPS of .706.

Bateman is what is called a “speed and D guy” in the game of baseball basically meaning he’ll give you both above average defense in the field and be an exceptional baserunner on the basepaths. Bateman proves to be that with his high stolen base rate and having his run ability and fielding ability both be graded at 70/80 according to MLB.com.

Brett Bateman proves to be more than just a “speed and D guy” though with showing his ability to hit the ball and get on-base at a high rate. For his two years he has spent in the minors Bateman have a career On-base percentage just shy of .400 at .390 which is incredible. That shows he is drawing his walks and knows getting on-base where he can wreak havoc is where his bread is buttered. Batemans scouting report says that he:

has an extremely disciplined approach, rarely chasing pitches out of the strike zone or swinging and missing. His makes repeated contact with his compact left-handed stroke and has a knack for shooting grounders and line drives into gaps in the defense

Understanding his strengths and weaknesses, Bateman focuses on getting on base so he can use his plus-plus speed. His instincts help him steal bases and cover ground in center field, where he’s a potential Gold Glover.

If Brett Bateman can just add a little bit more power to his game, not necessarily having him all of a sudden hitting 20 HRs, but if he can get around the twenty-five doubles and ten to fifteen homerun range and pair that with his potential Gold Glove defense, then the Chicago Cubs may have something special on their hands.

Finishing the season at Double-A last season, that figures to be where Brett Bateman will start the 2025 season again for the Cubs give that prospect Owen Caissie, Kevin Alcantara, and Christian Frankline will all be in Triple-A ahead of him. That could change however given that both Caissie and Alcantara have been the subject of trade discussions. Whatever the case may be Brett Bateman figures to be a very under the radar and possibly a diamond in the rough type of player that the Chicago Cubs should look into keeping.