Where the Cubs' Top 30 prospects are starting season

With the Minor League season opening this week, here's where the Cubs' Top 30 Prospects are projected to start:

1. Pete Crow-Armstrong (MLB No. 28), OF -- Tennessee (Double-A)
2. Kevin Alcantara (MLB No. 87), OF -- South Bend (High-A)
3. Brennen Davis (MLB No. 92), OF -- Iowa (Triple-A)
4. Cade Horton, RHP -- Myrtle Beach (Single-A)
5. Hayden Wesneski, RHP -- Chicago (MLB)
6. Jordan Wicks, LHP -- Tennessee (Double-A)
7. Matt Mervis, 1B -- Iowa (Triple-A)
8. Ben Brown, RHP -- Tennessee (Double-A)
9. Jackson Ferris, LHP -- Extended spring training
10. Cristian Hernandez, SS -- Myrtle Beach (Single-A)
11. Alexander Canario, OF -- Iowa (Triple-A) -- injured list (ankle & shoulder surgery rehab)
12. James Triantos, 3B -- Myrtle Beach (Single-A) -- injured list (meniscus surgery)
13. Owen Caissie, OF -- Tennessee (Double-A)
14. Daniel Palencia, RHP -- Tennessee (Double-A)
15. Miguel Amaya, C -- Tennessee (Double-A)
16. Kevin Made, SS -- South Bend (High-A)
17. D.J. Herz, LHP -- Extended spring training
18. Caleb Kilian, RHP -- Iowa (Triple-A)
19. Derniche Valdez, SS -- Dominican complex
20. Moises Ballesteros, C -- Myrtle Beach (Single-A)
21. Porter Hodge, RHP -- Tennessee (Double-A)
22. Pedro Ramirez, 2B -- Myrtle Beach (Single-A)
23. Ed Howard, SS -- South Bend (High-A) -- injured list (hip surgery rehab)
24. Jeremiah Estrada, RHP -- Iowa (Triple-A)
25. Chase Strumpf, 2B -- Tennessee (Double-A)
26. Kohl Franklin, RHP -- South Bend (High-A)
27. Nazier Mule, RHP -- ACL Cubs (Rookie) -- injured list (Tommy John surgery)
28. Riley Thompson, RHP -- Iowa (Triple-A)
29. Ryan Jensen, RHP -- Tennessee (Double-A)
30. Drew Gray, LHP -- Extended spring training (Tommy John rehab)

Team to watch
Several players who won the 2022 Midwest League championship at High-A South Bend have made the jump to Double-A Tennessee, headlined by outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Cubs' top prospect and the consensus best defender in the Minors. Jordan Wicks, Ben Brown, Daniel Palencia and Porter Hodge give the Smokies a formidable rotation. Owen Caissie offers some of the best raw power in the system and Miguel Amaya had a strong spring as he put 2021 Tommy John surgery further behind him.

Teams on MLB.TV and MiLB.TV
Chicago Cubs
Iowa Cubs (Triple-A)
Tennessee Smokies (Double-A)
South Bend Cubs (High-A)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Single-A)

Players we could see in MLB in 2023
Outfielder Brennen Davis and first baseman Matt Mervis could compete for big league starting jobs after a little more time in Triple-A. Caleb Kilian and Jeremiah Estrada both pitched in Chicago last summer and should get another opportunity in the near future. Crow-Armstrong is talented enough to accelerate his timetable and arrive at Wrigley Field in the second half of the season.

New faces
The Cubs bolstered their pitching by spending $7,455,000 on their first two selections in the 2022 Draft, Cade Horton and Jackson Ferris, both of whom will make their pro debuts this season. Horton will start at Single-A Myrtle Beach, while Ferris is still in extended spring training. One of the best pure hitters in the 2023 international class, Dominican shortstop Derniche Valdez signed for $2.8 million in January and will break into pro ball in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League.

On the shelf
After ranking second in the Minors with 37 homers in 2022, outfielder Alexander Canario broke his left ankle and dislocated his left shoulder in the Dominican Winter League last November. Both injuries required surgery and he may miss most of this season. Third baseman James Triantos tore the meniscus in his right knee during Spring Training, had surgery and should return sometime in May. Shortstop Ed Howard (hip) and left-hander Drew Gray (Tommy John) are nearing the completion of rehab from 2022 surgeries. Right-hander Nazier Mule, who signed for an above-slot $1 million in the fourth round last July, won't make his pro debut until mid-2024 following Tommy John surgery in March.