Chicago Cubs 2023 Organization All-Stars
Every year, Minor League Baseball goes through each organization’s farm system and ranks who had the best season at each respective position. On Friday, MiLB recognized the 2023 Organization All-Stars for the Chicago Cubs. This year’s list included five players who spent time with the I-Cubs at some point during
Every year, Minor League Baseball goes through each organization’s farm system and ranks who had the best season at each respective position. On Friday, MiLB recognized the 2023 Organization All-Stars for the Chicago Cubs. This year’s list included five players who spent time with the I-Cubs at some point during the 2023 campaign.
Shortstop:
Luis Vazquez spent time with Iowa in both 2019 and 2022, but exploded onto the scene this year, starting with Double-A Tennessee. After 58 games with the Smokies, the shortstop was assigned to Iowa on June 28. In 66 games with Iowa, the 24-year-old hit .257 with 11 doubles, nine home runs and 40 runs batted in. He ended the season as the Cubs’ No. 21 ranked prospect by MLB.com, marking the first time in his career as a ranked prospect. On November 6, Chicago recognized his stellar year by selecting his contract, protecting him from the Rule-5 Draft.
Outfielder:
Yonathan Perlaza had one of the best seasons in Iowa’s franchise history in 2023, becoming the first player in franchise history to record 40 doubles and 20 home runs in a single season. His 40 doubles are tied for the second most in a single season, he had the fourth-most extra-base hits in franchise history with 66 and the fourth-most runs scored, crossing the plate 100 times. The 25-year-old was one of just three players to remain on Iowa’s active roster all season long and led the team in games played (121), at-bats (461), runs scored (100), hits (131), doubles (40), home runs (23), extra-base hits (66), RBI (85) and walks (76). The switch hitter excelled in his first year at the Triple-A level and elected free agency on November 6.
Outfielder:
Pete Crow-Armstrong started the year as MLB’s No. 8 ranked prospect and finished 2023 as the No. 12 prospect in all of baseball, sitting at the top of the Cubs system all year long. The outfielder began the season with Double-A Tennessee, hitting .289 in 73 games with the Smokies. He was promoted to Iowa on Aug. 1 and recorded a 15-game hitting streak from Aug. 4-22, the longest streak for any I-Cub in 2023. The 21-year-old also slugged two grand slams in the same week on Sept. 5 and 10, earning a promotion to Chicago on Sept. 11. Crow-Armstrong was one of just three players in the Minors with at least 20 home runs, seven triples and 35 stolen bases in 2023. The outfielder finished the year in Chicago, playing in 13 games with the Cubs.
Left-Handed Starter: Jordan Wicks
Jordan Wicks was selected in the first round of the 2021 draft by Chicago and quickly climbed the ranks, making his Major League debut this year. He started the year with Double-A Tennessee, where he went 4-0 with a 3.39 ERA in 13 starts before getting promoted to Iowa on June 29. After going 4-0 with the Smokies, the southpaw was a perfect 3-0 record in seven starts with Iowa, holding a 3.82 ERA over his 33.0 innings pitched. He got his contract selected by Chicago on Aug. 26 and made his debut that day, allowing just one run on two hits and one walk while striking out nine on his way to his first MLB win. The 24-year-old finished the season ranked as the Cubs’ No. 10 prospect by MLB.com.
Relief Pitcher: Luke Little
Luke Little began the year as a starter with South Bend but moved to the bullpen after just four starts. Earned a promotion to Double-A Tennessee on May 7, going 3-2 in 23 relief outings with the Smokies. Over that time, he fanned 63 batters in 34.2 innings pitched, earning a promotion to Iowa on Aug. 5. Allowed two earned runs in his debut with Iowa, the only two runs he would allow in his eight games with the I-Cubs. Struck out three or more batters in five of his eight games with Iowa, tallying 21 total strikeouts over 11. 2 innings pitched. Had his contracted selected by Chicago on Sept. 6 and made his Major League debut that day, striking out two over a scoreless inning. The southpaw remained with the Cubs for the rest of the year, ending the season as the Cubs’ No. 25 ranked prospect by MLB.com.