Chicago Cubs prospect named most likely September callup

The Chicago Cubs have some big roster decisions to make after the end of this season. Chief among them are the decisions on whether to re-sign several players who will be eligible for free agency at the conclusion of the baseball year.

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Core veteran components Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, and Carson Kelly would probably be the roughest losses for a Cubs team looking to win in the here and now.

Complicating matters when it comes to the future of catcher Kelly is the fact that the team has a top-notch catching prospect knocking on the big league door at Triple-A Iowa—Owen Ayers

Ayers likely to be called up?

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In a recent piece at MLB.com, the 25-year-old Ayers was listed as the Cubs’ most likely prospect callup when MLB rosters expand on September 1:

“The Cubs have a quality catching tandem with Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya, and they may not have a lot of at-bats to give a newcomer. But Ayers’ right-handed power and ability to catch while also handling first base and perhaps the outfield corners could make him useful down the stretch. He has gone from 19th-rounder out of Marshall in 2024 to a Top 100 Prospect two years later, and he’s batting .301/.416/.573 with 24 homers and 11 steals in 101 games while advancing from High-A to Triple-A.”

Ayers’ rise to the top-level of the Cubs organization has been quick and mostly unexpected. A 19th round pick in the 2024 draft, the switch-hitting catcher has moved through every level of the organization, but has really turbo-charged his development this season, where he’s gone from High-A South Bend to Double-A Knoxville to Triple-A Iowa.

He’s brought his bat along the way, slashing .304/.417/.570 over the three levels with 24 home runs, 74 RBIs and even 12 stolen bases.

But perhaps the most impressive part of his game is defense, where he’s become a true asset, despite not even playing the position until his senior year in college.

Offense and Defense?

Blessed with a rocket for an arm and overall sound athleticism, he’s currently learning the nuances of the position and has become especially adept at framing.

Per Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register:

Manager Marty Pevey told me he’s been very impressed by the work of catcher Owen Ayers behind the plate:

“He’s so good with his glove that it makes me want to yell at the umpires…He makes pitches that are three (inches) off, appear to be strikes.”

MLB Pipeline currently has him ranked no. 93 on their top prospects list, one of only two Cubs—along with outfielder Josiah Hartshorn—in their Top 100.

This is all good news for a Cubs team in desperate need of some incoming prospect support and a possible replacement for an outgoing Carson Kelly.

Bringing Ayers up for some quality time with big league coaches and veterans, as well as some seasoning in the heat of a playoff race could be valuable for the young talent.

It’ll also be valuable for the Cubs as they assess their catching situation.

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