{"id":631608,"date":"2026-03-19T11:17:39","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T11:17:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/631608\/"},"modified":"2026-03-19T11:17:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T11:17:39","slug":"two-chicago-cubs-named-to-star-studded-all-under-25-team-another-gets-honorable-mention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/631608\/","title":{"rendered":"Two Chicago Cubs named to star-studded All-Under-25 team, another gets honorable mention"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Cubs enter the 2026 season with a unique roster makeup. There are a number of veterans on the team (Dansby Swanson, Ian Happ, Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, etc.), but there are also a lot of young, 20-something stars (Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Busch, Cade Horton, and Daniel Palencia, among others).<\/p>\n

More News: Chicago Cubs: Counsell talks to team, addresses huge issue ahead of 2026 run<\/a><\/p>\n

With so many veterans possibly leaving the team for free agency at the end of the 2026 campaign, it\u2019s reassuring that there are also so many young players still with them over the long haul.<\/p>\n

The Athletic recently acknowledged two of the Cubs\u2019 young stars\u2013 Crow-Armstrong and Horton\u2013 as especially valuable assets by naming them to their MLB All-Under-25 Team<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pete Crow-Armstrong gets his props
\n\"ChicagoOct 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) reacts after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in game four of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

More News: Chicago Cubs: This under-the-radar prospect could end up doing big things in 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Pete Crow-Armstrong, who was an honorable mention in the publication\u2019s All-Under-25 Team last year, was named the top young center fielder on this year\u2019s list.<\/p>\n

Per Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic:<\/p>\n

\u201cCrow-Armstrong was another honorable mention on last year\u2019s All-Under-25 Team; at that point, he carried a meager .652 OPS in the majors. He changed the narrative in 2025. Through Aug. 1, Crow-Armstrong batted .273\/.309\/.560 (.869 OPS) with 27 homers and 29 steals, then faded down the stretch. He won his first Gold Glove and finished ninth in NL MVP voting. Swing-and-miss remains an issue, but the power-defense combination in center field is immensely valuable.\u201d<\/p>\n

The struggles of \u201cPCA\u201d are well-documented, but so is his tremendous upside, which makes him a dream multi-tool star with the competitive drive to match.<\/p>\n

The soon-to-be 24-year-old, who came to the Cubs in a 2021 trade involving Javier Baez, has been very open about the stress and strain of maintaining his progress in the rough, tough world of major league baseball. Last season\u2019s second-half dip saw him displaying clear frustration. But it\u2019s his openness, honesty, and competitive drive that could see him through his growing pains.<\/p>\n

Cade Horton rewarded for breakthrough 2025
\n\"MLB:MLB: Chicago Cubs at Toronto Blue Jays Aug 13, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton (22) delivers a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Athletic also named Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton to their All-Under-25 squad.<\/p>\n

The 24-year-old was not even slated for the major league team in 2025, but was pulled up from Triple-A when starter Shota Imanaga went on the IL with a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n

Although Horton performed well enough in his first tour of big league duty, he REALLY took off after the All-Star break.<\/p>\n

The Cubs\u2019 2022 no. 1 draft pick dominated over the second half of the season, delivering an 8-1 record and posting an amazing 1.03 ERA in twelve starts after the All-Star break. Over that run, he was, arguably, the best pitcher in all of baseball. A late September rib fracture, however, put him on the shelf and prevented him from pitching in the postseason. The final season tally saw Horton finish the year with an 11-4 record and a 2.67 ERA, plus a second place finish in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.<\/p>\n

Per Nesbitt:<\/p>\n

\u201cDespite missing the 2025 postseason with a cracked rib, Horton was vital for the Cubs as a rookie, posting a 2.67 ERA over 118 innings and stabilizing the rotation in the second half. Horton ran a modest strikeout rate (20.4 percent), but his plus command and the elite defense behind him made hunting early contact an effective approach.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both Crow-Armstrong and Horton stand to be big parts of the Cubs\u2019 2026 team and, in many ways, play pivotal roles in the team\u2019s success.<\/p>\n

22-year-old Rookie DH\/catcher Moises Ballesteros, another big piece to Chicago\u2019s 2026 puzzle, also received an honorable mention by the sports news outlet.<\/p>\n

\"Chicago<\/p>\n

Chicago Cubs: Counsell talks to team, addresses huge issue ahead of 2026 run
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