This offseason for the Chicago Cubs will be a crucial one after making the playoffs for the first time in five seasons and losing to their divisional rival, the Milwaukee Brewers, who took the National League Central by five games.
More News: Chicago Cubs named a best fit for 2x All-Star Houston Astros pitcher
Outside of starting pitching, which has been a need for this team entering the 2025 season, the Cubs need to figure out how to allow their young prospects to play more. Third baseman Matt Shaw and pitcher Cade Horton showed what they could do when given opportunities to play consistently, and Owen Caissie should get the same courtesy, as he’s ready to get everyday playing time in 2026.
Owen Caissie had a great minor league season at Triple-A Iowa
MLB: All Star Futures Game Jul 12, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; National League outfielder Owen Caissie (17) of the Chicago Cubs makes a run during the seventh inning against American League at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
After spending most of last season at Triple-A Iowa, in which he had another fantastic season, slashing .286/.386/.551 for an OPS of .937, Caissie has proven that he’s ready to be an everyday big leaguer. Caissie made his debut on August 14 in his home country of Canada and appeared in 12 games, where he hit .192 with an OPS of .568 and hit his first big league home run on August 19 against the Brewers.
Owen Caissie drives his first career homer the other way 💪 pic.twitter.com/Jiv9wKKTGg
— MLB (@MLB) August 19, 2025
Caissie was second on the Iowa Cubs in home runs (22), third in batting average, second in OPS, and fifth in RBI (55). He was also named the Player of the Week on July 6 and represented the Cubs in Futures Game ahead of the All-Star Game.Â
Owen Caissie needs to be in the Chicago Cubs’ outfield plans for 2026
Sep 13, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Owen Caissie (19) looks on from the dugout prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
A corner outfielder by trade, Caissie would’ve been a candidate to break out of spring training with the Cubs if it weren’t for a groin injury and being blocked on the roster by Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki. However, with Tucker now a free agent and unlikely to return due to his market value, Caissie has the chance to split playing time in right field with Suzuki, who was the team’s primary designated hitter with Tucker playing 115 games in right.
Bringing a mixture of raw power and a strong arm, Caissie is a perfect piece to fill the void Tucker leaves behind, as he fits the Cubs’ mentality of defense and bat-to-ball skills. Having his bat in their lineup behind Ian Happ, Suzuki, Michael Busch, and Pete Crow-Armstrong could deepen the Cubs’ lineup and give them more of a spark.
Building around their young core is what the Cubs need to do, as it is what brought them their first World Series in 108 years in 2016, when they relied on players like Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, and Javier Báez; this is no different with Shaw, Horton, Caissie, and PCA being the new young core to bring another championship to Chicago.
Sep 9, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Cade Horton (22) walks to the dugout after pitching against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
Chicago Cubs named a best fit for 2x All-Star Houston Astros pitcher
Read More
For More Great Chicago Sports Content
Get the latest Chicago sports news, analysis, and breaking stories on the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, White Sox, Sky, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, so you never miss a story on your favorite Chicago teams.
Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE