Chicago Cubs top prospect moved to left field, igniting speculation

As the Chicago Cubs focus on this season and on making a deep playoff run, they also have to be keeping one eye on the future.

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Specifically, they have to pay attention to filling several roster spots next year—currently filled by veteran players likely to leave via free agency.

Among the players possibly gone after this 2026 season are Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, and Carson Kelly.

Happ and Suzuki probably present the biggest conundrums for the Cubs front office.

Losing both corner outfielders would be a tough hit to take for a Chicago team focused on establishing a winning environment for the foreseeable future. The pool of available outfield talent on the 2027 market is relatively shallow, too. So, finding a replacement for either would be difficult.

Life without Happ and/or Suzuki

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Realistically, the Cubs won’t be able to re-sign both Happ and Suzuki. Given the amount of money they spent in signing free agent Alex Bregman and in extending Pete Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner, there won’t be a lot of money to move around—especially considering the fact that they will absolutely have to sign at least one high-end starting pitcher to cover for Imanaga, Boyd, and Taillon possibly leaving. There’s actually a chance that the Cubs won’t be able to keep either Happ or Suzuki.

The most likely scenario, though, is that the Cubs sign one of their corner outfielders and then scramble for an internal replacement for the open position.

Matt Shaw has been given playing time in right field. Michael Conforto has come alive as a fourth outfielder, but he’s just a one-year rental. Prospect Kevin Alcantara has been banging home runs in Iowa, but there’s still doubt as to his readiness for the majors.

Now, throw standout prospect Pedro Ramirez into the corner outfield mix.

Pedro Ramirez gets left field playing time

On Thursday, the 22-year-old Ramirez shifted from his usual third base spot to left field—and continued his excellence at the plate with a 4-for-5 evening against the Nashville Sounds.

On the year, a surging Ramirez is hitting .317 with 9 home runs and 39 RBIs, forcing his way into recognition as the Cubs’ no. 2 prospect.

The young talent began this baseball year on a tear and turned heads with his performance in spring training. As a matter of fact, manager Craig Counsell has said that he wouldn’t hesitate in bringing Ramirez up to the majors right now if the Cubs needed another infielder.

“I wouldn’t have hesitated out of spring training. We told him that,” Counsell said.

“He had a wonderful spring. He was the player that the other players talked about. There’s always that guy in spring training.”

“He’s a big-leaguer,” Counsell added. “He’s going to be a good big-leaguer. He’s got a really good head on his shoulders, really good baseball intelligence. It’s great to see him off to a good start and really taking another step.”

Ramirez is highly valued within the Cubs organization for his maturity, versatility, and an offensive game that has taken a full step forward this season. If he’s not dealt in a package for high-end pitching by the trade deadline, he will find a way on to the big league roster before too long. The quickest and most obvious right now seems to be via the outfield.

The post Chicago Cubs top prospect moved to left field, igniting speculation appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-pedro-ramirez-left-field-happ-suzuki/