Where Cubs top prospects are starting '21

With the Minor League season opening on May 4, here's where the Cubs' Top 30 Prospects are projected to start:

1. Brailyn Marquez (MLB No. 51), LHP -- Extended Spring Training
2. Brennen Davis (MLB No. 52), OF -- Extended Spring Training
3. Miguel Amaya, C -- Tennessee (Double-A)
4. Cristian Hernandez, SS -- Dominican complex
5. Ed Howard, SS -- Myrtle Beach (Low-A)
6. Kohl Franklin, RHP -- Extended Spring Training
7. Christopher Morel, 3B -- Tennessee (Double-A)
8. Ryan Jensen, RHP -- South Bend (High-A)
9. Chase Strumpf, 2B -- South Bend (High-A)
10. Reginald Preciado, SS -- Extended Spring Training
11. Owen Caissie, OF -- Extended Spring Training
12. Cole Roederer, OF -- South Bend (High-A)
13. Yohendrick Pinango, OF -- Myrtle Beach (Low-A)
14. Keegan Thompson, RHP -- Chicago (MLB)
15. Cory Abbott, RHP -- Iowa (Triple-A)
16. Riley Thompson, RHP -- Extended Spring Training
17. Burl Carraway, LHP -- South Bend (High-A)
18. Kevin Made, SS -- Extended Spring Training
19. Yeison Santana, SS -- Myrtle Beach (Low-A)
20. Rafael Morel, SS -- Extended Spring Training
21. Chris Clarke, RHP -- Extended Spring Training
22. Ethan Hearn, C -- Myrtle Beach (Low-A)
23. Ronnier Quintero, C -- Extended Spring Training
24. Ismael Mena, OF -- Extended Spring Training
25. Luis Verdugo, SS/3B -- Myrtle Beach (Low-A)
26. Michael McAvene, RHP -- Extended Spring Training
27. Jordan Nwogu, OF -- Myrtle Beach (Low-A)
28. D.J. Herz, LHP -- Myrtle Beach (Low-A)
29. Dauris Valdez, RHP -- Tennessee (Double-A)
30. Brendon Little, LHP -- Extended Spring Training

Team to watch

Once left-hander Brailyn Marquez and outfielder Brennen Davis arrive from extended Spring Training, where Marquez is building up arm strength and Davis is catching up after missing some time after getting hit in the head by a pitch, Double-A Tennessee will have all three of Chicago's Top 100 Prospects. The third, catcher Miguel Amaya, will open there, as will third baseman Christopher Morel, who has some of the best all-around tools in the system.

Teams on MiLB.TV

Triple-A Iowa
Double-A Tennessee
High-A South Bend
Low-A Myrtle Beach

New faces

Of the four prospects acquired from the Padres in the Yu Darvish/Victor Caratini trade last December, only one (shortstop Yeison Santana) had made his pro debut. He's also the only one on an Opening Day roster, part of a loaded group of infielders at Low-A Myrtle Beach. Right-hander Dauris Valdez, part of another deal with San Diego for James Norwood in April, will pitch at Tennessee.

On the shelf

Right-hander Kohl Franklin, one of the Cubs' top pitching prospects, isn't hurt but is catching up in extended Spring Training after getting delayed by coronavirus intake protocols. Righties Riley Thompson, Chris Clarke and Michael McAvene and left-hander Brendon Little all had minor ailments in the spring and are finishing building up arm strength in extended Spring Training.