Introduction to the Cubs’ Latest Move
The Cubs plan to recall outfielder Owen Caissie from Triple-A Iowa, a source confirmed Wednesday night, adding their top prospect to the active 26-man roster in the wake of catcher Miguel Amaya’s ankle injury.
The Injury That Led to the Recall
Caissie, a native of Burlington, Ontario, could make his major-league debut in his home country Thursday, as the Cubs face the Blue Jays in a rubber match. Amaya is headed to the injured list with a sprained left ankle, manager Craig Counsell said after the Cubs’ 4-1 win Wednesday.
Owen Caissie’s Background and Performance
Caissie, 23, has posted a .966 OPS in Triple-A this season. The 6-foot-3 left-handed hitter leads the I-Cubs with 22 home runs this season, and he represented the Cubs in the All-Star Futures Game last month.
Previous Consideration for Call-Up
The Cubs discussed bringing up Caissie two weeks ago when left fielder Ian Happ was out of the starting lineup for a game after fouling off a pitch into his shin. Instead they went with Moises Ballesteros for the brief stint and designated utility player Vidal Bruján for assignment, reflecting a more aggressive approach to roster moves later in the season.
Approach to Roster Moves
“You have to balance development with the best 26,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said at the trade deadline. “There’s always going to be development concerns, so you don’t want to take all your best prospects and sit them on the bench and let them not play much. But certainly that is going to be a focus as we go forward.”
Acquisition and Development of Owen Caissie
The Cubs acquired Caissie as a prospect from the Padres in December 2020, as part of the trade for veteran right-hander Yu Darvish. They added him to the 40-man roster last November to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. Caissie played for Team Canada in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Conclusion
The decision to call up Owen Caissie is a significant move for the Cubs, indicating their confidence in his abilities and their need for fresh talent. As Caissie prepares for his potential major-league debut, fans and the organization alike are eager to see how he will perform at the highest level.
FAQs
- Who is Owen Caissie, and why is he being called up by the Cubs?
Owen Caissie is the Cubs’ top prospect, a 23-year-old outfielder from Burlington, Ontario, who has been performing well in Triple-A Iowa. He is being called up due to catcher Miguel Amaya’s ankle injury. - What are Owen Caissie’s notable achievements?
Caissie has posted a .966 OPS in Triple-A this season, leads the I-Cubs with 22 home runs, and represented the Cubs in the All-Star Futures Game. - How did the Cubs acquire Owen Caissie?
The Cubs acquired Caissie from the Padres in December 2020 as part of the trade for Yu Darvish. - What is the significance of Owen Caissie’s potential major-league debut?
Caissie’s debut would not only mark a significant milestone in his career but also indicate the Cubs’ trust in their young talent and their approach to integrating prospects into the major-league roster.
