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CHICAGO -- The biggest story on the player development side for the Cubs in May was Matt Shaw’s return to the Majors. After a stint back with Triple-A Iowa to take a deep breath and iron out some mechanical issues, Chicago’s top prospect rejoined the North Siders and has already looked improved.
“He looks comfortable,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said last week. “Whether it’s feeling like he belongs or whatever happened in the Minor Leagues with player development, he looks more comfortable, calm. I think the way he’s taking his at-bats has been better.”
Beyond Shaw -- No. 18 on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 list -- there were plenty of success stories throughout the farm system in May. Here are some player and pitcher of the month picks for each of Chicago’s full-season affiliates.
TRIPLE-A IOWA
Hitter: 1B Jonathon Long
The 23-year-old Long (No. 13 on Pipeline’s Top 30 list for the Cubs) enjoyed a brilliant month, slashing .351/.423/.629 with six home runs, five doubles, two triples, 24 RBIs, 21 runs scored, 12 walks and 61 total bases in 27 games. The first baseman was a ninth-round pick by Chicago in the 2023 MLB Draft.
Pitcher: LHP Luke Little
A part of the Cubs’ big league bullpen earlier this season and last year, the 24-year-old Little found his footing in May back with the I-Cubs. In nine appearances, the big lefty spun a 0.59 ERA with 20 strikeouts and three walks in 15 1/3 innings. He limited batters to a .154 average with just eight hits allowed.
DOUBLE-A KNOXVILLE
Hitter: INF Corey Joyce
The Cubs added the 26-year-old Joyce on a Minor League contract in April and he has bounced around the infield for the Smokies. In 19 games in May, Joyce slashed .350/.473/.483 with one homer, five doubles, 13 RBIs and as many walks (13) as strikeouts (13).
Pitcher: RHP Will Sanders
Sanders earned a promotion to Triple-A Iowa after a standout showing in May for Knoxville. In four starts with the Smokies last month, the 23-year-old logged a 1.71 ERA with 23 strikeouts and just two walks in 21 innings. The fourth-round pick (No. 113 overall) in the 2023 MLB Draft allowed only 14 hits (no home runs).
HIGH-A SOUTH BEND
Hitter: INF Jefferson Rojas
The 20-year-old Rojas -- MLB Pipeline’s No. 6 Cubs prospect and No. 77 on the Top 100 list -- slashed .337/.416/.561 with three homers, five doubles, four triples and 16 RBIs in 25 games in May. The middle infielder stole five bases, walked a dozen times and scored 20 runs along the way.
Pitcher: RHP Ryan Gallagher
Gallagher, 22, posted a 2.33 ERA with 40 strikeouts and nine walks in 27 innings over five starts in May at South Bend. The right-hander (sixth-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft) allowed 17 hits, while holding opposing batters to a .179 average.
SINGLE-A MYRTLE BEACH
Hitter: OF Leonel Espinoza
In 24 games last month, the 22-year-old Espinoza turned in a .308/.406/.374 slash line with one home run, three doubles and 11 RBIs. The outfielder stole five bases, drew 13 walks and scored 16 runs for the Pelicans.
Pitcher: RHP Brooks Caple
Caple (ninth-round selection in 2024 MLB Draft) worked three starts for Myrtle Beach in May before earning a promotion to South Bend. In those outings, the 22-year-old spun a 0.00 ERA across 16 innings, piling up 16 strikeouts against five walks and holding batters to a .118 average.