The Chicago Cubs have played some really good baseball since the All-Star break. 

They are 14-8 over their last 22 games and currently own the top Wild Card spot in the National League. The Cubs also continue to slowly close the gap in the NL Central standings. Chicago is now just 5 ½ games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for first place. 

Although most fans are only worried about the Major League team now, it’s important to know what’s happening down in the Cubs’ farm system as well. Here are some interesting things going on in the minors right now. 

Caden Sorrell recently made his professional debut at Single-A Myrtle Beach. The Cubs selected Sorrell in the second round of the 2026 MLB Draft and quickly got him up to speed. He is the team’s first 2026 draftee to make his minor league debut. 

The 21-year-old has hit the ball well in his first few games with the Pelicans. He is 5-for-17 with one home run, two RBI, and one stolen base in four contests. The young outfielder's first professional home run came on Friday on a pitch that he crushed off the bat. 

Sorrell will likely spend the rest of the season down at Myrtle Beach, continuing to get consistent plate appearances. In MLB Pipeline’s new updated prospect list, the former Texas A&M star is ranked as the Cubs’ No. 7 overall prospect. 

The Cubs recently sent Daniel Palencia on a rehab assignment. The hard-throwing right-hander has been on the shelf since mid-June due to a right flexor strain. However, he is very close to a return after appearing in his second game with the Iowa Cubs this week. 

Palencia’s first rehab appearance on Wednesday didn’t go too great. He allowed one run on one hit with two walks and one strikeout across ⅔ of an inning. The good news is that he rebounded in his second appearance on Saturday, throwing one scoreless inning with one walk and one strikeout. 

The Cubs closer continues to build up toward a mid-August return. Chicago might want to see at least one more appearance from Palencia before activating him off the injured list. 

Owen Ayers has been one of the biggest risers in the Cubs’ farm system this year. After struggling with consistency in each of his first two Minor League seasons, Ayers has completely broken out in 2026. 

He started the year at High-A, quickly moved to Double-A in April, and was promoted to Triple-A after the All-Star break. Since being promoted to Iowa, Ayers is slashing .323/.432/.435 with one home run, four doubles, 10 RBI, 12 walks, 16 strikeouts, and four stolen bases across 18 games. 

Ayers has a real chance to be a September call-up for the Cubs if he continues to perform. He has a .316 batting average with 23 home runs and 72 RBI across 92 games at all three levels this season. Ayers is Chicago’s No. 2 overall prospect.