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Top Birds: Best Pelicans at Each Position Since Cubs Affiliation

March 6, 2025

By Sam Weiderhaft

By Sam Weiderhaft

The offseason calls for reflection and looking back. Since the Pelicans became a Cubs affiliate in 2015 (originally High-A, moved to Single-A in 2021), numerous top prospects have passed through the beach. This list goes through the top Pelicans at each position, considering their performance in Myrtle Beach as well as their performance at the higher levels.

1B: Yasiel Balaguert (2016)

For a Pelicans team that won 82 games on the way to a Carolina League championship, Yasiel Balaguert was the ultimate power source. The Havana, Cuba native launched a team-leading 19 home runs with 96 RBI, setting a new franchise record. Balaguert reached Double-A in Tennessee before electing free agency and has not appeared in Minor League Baseball since.

2B: Ian Happ (2016)

Before making the left field bleachers his home at Wrigley Field, Ian Happ patrolled second base for the Pelicans in the first half of the 2016 season. In 69 games, Happ hit .296 with seven home runs and 42 RBI. The now 30-year-old has since become a fan-favorite in Chicago, becoming an All-Star in 2022 and racking up three Gold Gloves.

SS: Gleyber Torres (2016)

Across from Happ was a young 19-year-old shortstop looking to make a name in the Cubs organization. After playing seven games for the Pelicans in 2015, Gleyber Torres returned to play 94 games for the Birds in 2016 while hitting .275 with nine homers and 47 RBI. Torres was traded to the Yankees in July of that year for closer Aroldis Chapman. Torres went on to play seven seasons in New York with All-Star nods in 2018 and 2019 before signing with the Tigers for the 2025 season.

3B: James Triantos (2022)

After being selected out of high school in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Cubs, James Triantos made his affiliated-ball debut in 2022 with Myrtle Beach. As a 19-year-old, Triantos was extremely consistent at the plate, posting a .272 batting average with 124 hits and 50 RBI. Triantos was named the Arizona Fall League hitter of the year in 2023 and is closing in on his MLB debut after playing 26 games in Triple A in 2024.

LF: Owen Caissie (2021)

While it wasn’t a long stay at the beach, outfielder Owen Caissie flashed his skillset for 22 games in a Pelicans uniform at the end of the 2021 season. Originally drafted by the Padres, Caissie was involved in a trade for All-Star pitcher Yu Darvish in 2020. Caissie is knocking on the door of Chicago after playing 127 games with 19 home runs with Triple A Iowa in 2024.

CF: Pete Crow-Armstrong (2022)

Known for his vibrant personality and love for competition, Pete Crow-Armstrong made his Cubs organization debut with the Pelicans in 2022 after being traded for Javier Baez in 2021. PCA, originally a first-round pick by the Mets in 2020, started his upward trajectory by hitting .354 with an OPS of 1.000 in his 38 games with the Birds. Crow-Armstrong made his MLB debut in Chicago and has since become the starting centerfielder with one of the longest last names in all of baseball.

RF: Kevin Alcantara (2022)

Another player involved in the 2021 Cubs trade deadline moves was outfielder Kevin Alcantara, who was traded from the Yankees for Anthony Rizzo. Alcantara spent the entire 2022 season with the Pelicans, smashing 15 home runs and driving in 85 runs. Alcantara’s nickname “The Jaguar” was developed during his time in Myrtle Beach. He made his Cubs debut in 2024.

C: Miguel Amaya (2019)

Miguel Amaya entered 2019 as the top prospect in the entire Cubs organization. That season, he played 99 games for the Pelicans while showing off his power with 11 home runs. The catcher made his debut in Chicago in 2023 and has since become the everyday backstop on the north side.

LHP: Justin Steele (2017-18)

Originally from Mississippi, Justin Steele returned to the South and pitched for the Pelicans in 2017 and 2018. Before his first stop in Myrtle Beach was cut short, Steele started 20 games in 2017 with a 2.92 ERA. He returned to the beach in 2018 and continued his dominance with a 2.45 ERA through four starts before advancing to Double A. Steele made his MLB debut with the Cubs in 2021 and was named their Opening Day starter in 2024 following a 2023 season that saw him place fifth in the N.L. Cy Young voting.

RHP: Javier Assad (2019)

After being signed as an international free agent in 2015, Javier Assad advanced to High-A Myrtle Beach in 2019. His time with the Pelicans spanned one season, with a 3.87 ERA across 22 starts and one impressive kick-play to first base. Assad has since entered the Cubs’ starting rotation, logging a 3.73 ERA across 29 starts in 2024.