The Chicago Cubs opted to protect two prospects Tuesday from next month’s Rule 5 draft. And in the process, the future of two former highly-touted prospects is in limbo.
The Cubs added outfielder Owen Caissie and infielder Benjamin Cowles to the 40-man roster Tuesday and designated for assignment right-hander Adbert Alzolay and outfielder Brennen Davis to open spots.
There was no doubt the Cubs would put Caissie, 22, on the 40-man roster before Tuesday’s deadline. The left-handed hitting slugger hit .278 with 29 doubles, three triples, 19 home runs, 75 RBIs and an .848 OPS in 127 games this year at Triple A, his first taste of that level. Caissie, acquired in the Yu Darvish trade with the San Diego Padres, finished in the top 10 in the International League in walks, OPS and on-base percentage while his 19 home runs tied for the fourth-most among Cubs minor leaguers.
Cowles, 24, joined the organization in July as part of the return from the New York Yankees for reliever Mark Leiter Jr. Sidelined with an injury at the time of the deal, Cowles missed most of the remaining regular season but got added at-bats by playing in the Arizona Fall League.
Alzolay, signed by the Cubs as an amateur free agent in 2012, is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery this summer. Both sides could look to keep him with the organization on a minor-league deal as he continues his rehab.
Numerous injuries have challenged Davis, 25, since the Cubs selected him in the second round of the 2018 draft. He was limited to just 55 games in 2023 and was added to the 40-man roster in September so the Cubs could put him on the 60-day injured list.
