Cubs prospects left behind are shining. One former top farmhand is delivering big numbers, proving a costly trade deadline gamble has backfired spectacularly.
The Chicago Cubs tried to be aggressive at last year’s trade deadline.
They were set to make the playoffs for the first time in five years and needed some starting pitcher depth for their potential run. That resulted in the Cubs trading for Washington Nationals pitcher Michael Soroka.
Soroka's overall numbers with the Nationals weren't great (4.87 ERA across 81 ⅓ innings), but his expected numbers meant some positive regression was headed his way. That’s ultimately why the Cubs decided to trade for him at the end of July.
Unfortunately, that trade has not worked out for Chicago on so many levels.
Soroka only appeared in six games for the Cubs after injuring his shoulder in his first game with the team. Although he posted solid numbers in his return in mid-September, the front office traded away two prospects for just 10 innings of Soroka.
However, fans are seeing exactly why the Cubs traded for the right-hander at the 2025 deadline. Soroka is off to a fantastic start with the Arizona Diamondbacks this season, as he is currently 4-0 with a 2.78 ERA and 28 strikeouts across 22 ⅔ innings pitched.
Chicago could have definitely used his services in the rotation, especially given all the injuries the team has dealt with in the early going.
Not only did the front office let him walk in free agency, but one of the prospects included in the Soroka deal is tearing it up in the Minors. The Cubs traded away their No. 13 prospect (Ronny Cruz) and No. 14 prospect (Christian Franklin) to acquire the pitcher.
Cruz, who was the headline return for Soroka, has been showing his full potential down in the Nationals' farm system so far.
He spent the entire 2025 season at the rookie ball level. He hit .270 with two home runs, 10 doubles, six triples, 10 walks, 21 RBI, and 10 stolen bases across 48 games for the ACL Cubs.
Cruz has now taken his game up a notch in his first taste of Single-A ball. He slashed .333/.460/.627 with three home runs, four doubles, 14 RBI, and 15 stolen bases across 14 games for the Fredericksburg Nationals and has totaled nine RBI over his last seven contests.
Those strong numbers to start the year quickly earned Cruz a promotion to High-A. The Nationals moved the rising prospect up to the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Monday after just 14 games.
Even though it is still early in Cruz’s career, the Soroka trade seems to be a massive whiff by the Cubs. The up-and-coming 19-year-old has the potential to quickly move up the Minor League ranks with plus power and plus speed.