The season is now half over and the trade deadline is approaching. This makes now a good time to offer a mid-season update of the Cubs top prospects. Not only will this show players making movement up (and unfortunately, down) the rankings, but it will also give a better idea of what other teams will be asking for in trades than a list published over the winter.

The Cubs system is certainly down from where it was a year ago and certainly down from where it was two years ago. But mostly, it’s down for the right reasons. Matt Shaw and Cade Horton are no longer prospects. I published my list after the trade of Cam Smith to Houston for Kyle Tucker, but Smith probably would have been my second-ranked prospect had he still been in the organization. Gage Workman proved that he’s not ready for prime time yet and has returned to Detroit.

Some prospects have dropped over health concerns. A few have simply not performed this year. On the other hand, taking their places are others who have had strong seasons that had me re-evaluating their future.

As always, this list is my own. I’m sure that the teams talking trade with the Cubs have their own estimates of who the best Cubs prospects are and they don’t agree with mine. But it should give you an idea of what the Cubs have to deal this upcoming month.

Moises Ballesteros C

I’m still not sold on the glove behind the plate, but I believe in the bat enough that if Ballesteros has to be a full-time DH, he’ll be productive there.

2. Jaxon Wiggins RHP

Wiggins has taken a step forward with his control. It’s still not where it needs to be, but this is starting to look like a breakout season for him. With a plus fastball and plus slider, Wiggins could be a top of the rotation starter. Probability is something not quite that good, of course.

3. Jefferson Rojas SS

Another player having a breakout season, Rojas is showing a better approach at the plate and more power in South Bend. Still just 20, he could end up being an above-average player at short, second or third.

4. Owen Caissie OF

The strikeouts are still an issue for me, but there’s no arguing with the raw power. After a slow start to the season, Caissie has heated up in June.

5. Jonathon Long 1B

The bar for a right-handed hitting first baseman is really high, but Long looks like he could clear it. He is still making a lot of hard contact to all fields, leading to high batting averages and above-average power. His strikeout-to-walk ratio are also still good, despite the full-season at Iowa.

6. Kevin Alcántara OF

Still the highest upside of anyone in the Cubs system, Alcántara has struggled this year as pitchers dare him to hit their breaking stuff. He is showing some signs of turning things around over the past week or two, however. He’s got the kind of talent that teams hate to give up on, but his value might never be higher than it is now.

7. James Triantos 2B

Triantos has been battling injuries all year and they’ve seemingly affected him at the plate as he’s made less contact overall and less hard contact in particular. Now healthy, the key is going to be whether his poor start was because of health or the start of a trend.

8. Brandon Birdsell RHP

Injured in Spring Training, Birdsell is just now starting rehab assignments. Like Cade Horton last year, it looks like injuries have delayed his major league debut by a season.

9. Pedro Ramirez 2B

Ramirez has always been a scrappy contact-oriented second baseman, but he is making even more contact in Double-A and his power is surging as well. A future where Ramirez is a starting second baseman in the majors is no longer far-fetched.

10. Cristian Hernandez SS

So he’s not going to be the next Manny Machado. His is still young and is making progress at South Bend this year.

11. Will Sanders RHP

Sanders dominated in Double-A to start the season, which earned him a promotion to Iowa, where the results have been more mixed so far. He still projects out as a back-end starter.

12. Cole Mathis 1B/3B

The results haven’t been great for Mathis and he’s been limited to DH duty in Myrtle Beach as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. He’s also hurt again right now. But his swing certainly passes the eye test. If he can play third base after his arm gets healthy, he becomes a much more interesting prospect.

13. Ryan Gallagher RHP

Gallagher has been impressive in the start to his career while pitching for South Bend this year. He could be ranked much higher at the end of this year if he is promoted to Knoxville and continues to pitch this well.

14. Ronny Cruz SS

The Cubs’ 3rd-round pick last year got off to a rough start in Mesa this year, but he’s been red-hot in June. He should be promoted to Myrtle Beach soon, where I can get a better look at him. Put a high ceiling on Cruz.

15. Carter Trice OF

Trice has power, speed and a good glove in center field. He’s also drastically cut down on his strikeouts and upped his walks in South Bend. The batting average hasn’t come around yet, but I suspect it will.

16. Nick Dean RHP

Dean’s strength has always been commanding the strike zone, and this season he’s striking out more and walking fewer batters, despite the bump up to Double-A. Dean’s peripherals are outpacing his ERA at the moment.

17. Evan Aschenbeck LHP

Aschenbeck was one of the best relievers in college baseball last year and the Cubs converted him to starting this year. That is looking like a wise move. Aschenbeck’s raw stuff isn’t great, but you can’t argue with his results so far. He’s one to keep an eye on as he could go in either direction.

18. Christian Franklin OF

Franklin is a good glove at all three outfield positions. His bat is nothing special, but he is showing a tad more power this year. He might be a good backup outfielder.

19. Brett Bateman OF

Bateman is a terrific glove in center and a demon on the base paths. He’s also a patient hitter who can draw a walk and keeps the strikeouts down. But a complete lack of power will relegate Bateman to a fourth or fifth outfielder role in the majors.

20. Connor Noland RHP

Noland isn’t the most exciting prospect and he doesn’t throw hard. But he’s got the frame and stamina to be a starter and eat innings. His cutter can also cause hitters problems.

21. Nazier Mulé RHP

Mulé throws hard and often has no idea where the ball is going. If he can stay healthy and learn to throw strikes, there’s some real upside here.

22. Eli Lovich OF

Lovich is a big left-handed outfielder who is off to a good start to his pro career. He could be the next Owen Caissie in the Cubs system. Hopefully with more contact.

23. Pablo Aliendo C

Nothing has changed with Aliendo. He’s still a great defensive catcher with good power. He still doesn’t make enough contact.

24. Jostin Florentino RHP

Florentino was a bit of an afterthought in the 2023 International Signings class, but he had two solid seasons in the Dominican Summer League and is now starting to turn heads stateside and is now pitching in Myrtle Beach. Still very raw at 20.

25. Riley Martin LHP

Martin has added a bit of velocity this year and he’s also managed to cut his walk percentage, although it’s still higher than you’d like. Martin’s strikeout numbers also increased and are now good enough that you can see him as a left-handed middle reliever as soon as this year. He’s also 27 already, so the Cubs need to decide what they have in Martin now.