Arizona Fall League Preview: Chicago Cubs
By Reed Kubiak ·
The Chicago Cubs have sent nine prospects to the Arizona Fall League (AFL), eight with the Mesa Solar Sox and one with the Salt River Rafters. This year's group is a blend of arms and bats, and several of them are making up time lost to injuries or other interruptions.
Dominick Reid's Return to Form
Dominick Reid, a 22-year-old right-hander and 80Grade's No. 8 Cubs prospect, heads the Cubs' AFL group with the Mesa Solar Sox. Reid's 2026 season was interrupted by injury, as he went on the 7-day injured list in June and was moved to the 60-day list in July. Before that, he made 12 starts for Single-A Myrtle Beach, and he returned for one scoreless start at High-A South Bend on September 5. Across 53⅔ innings, he posted a 3.86 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP, striking out 54 and walking 20 for a 23.7% strikeout rate.
Reid's arsenal features a plus changeup, complemented by a serviceable fastball and developing breaking pitches. His AFL assignment gives him the opportunity to regain his form and prove his durability as a potential back-end starter, and refining his command and his breaking pitches is the work that will decide whether he sticks in a rotation.
Kade Snell's Path to Recovery
Outfielder Kade Snell, 24, joins the Mesa Solar Sox after a season interrupted by a broken wrist, which he suffered in an outfield collision with a teammate in late May. Despite that setback, Snell put together a .269/.350/.426 slash line with 9 home runs and 19 stolen bases over 81 games at High-A South Bend, and his AFL participation is about recovering the development time he lost while out from late May to mid-July.
Snell is known for his disciplined approach at the plate, reflected in his 9.7% walk rate. His defensive limitations and moderate power mean he has to maximize his offensive contributions to advance, and the AFL will test his ability to adjust to better competition and maintain consistent contact.
Juan Cabada's Early Career Test
At 18 years old, shortstop Juan Cabada is the second-youngest player on a 2026 AFL roster, bringing youth and potential to the Cubs' group in Mesa. Cabada, 80Grade's No. 20 Cubs prospect, hit .246/.338/.381 with 4 home runs across the Arizona Complex League and Single-A Myrtle Beach this season. His athleticism and his defensive fit at second and third base make him a player to watch.
Cabada's AFL experience will test his ability to handle more advanced pitching and develop his power. His approach at the plate, combined with his instincts, gives him a foundation for growth as he moves through the Cubs' system.
Quick Hits: Other Cubs in the AFL
Anhuar Garcia, a 22-year-old right-hander, joins the Mesa Solar Sox after returning from the restricted list in June and posting a 3.53 ERA over 43⅓ innings across the Arizona Complex League, Single-A Myrtle Beach and High-A South Bend.
Harrison Feinberg, a 24-year-old outfielder, signed with the Cubs as a free agent on July 24 and has not appeared in an affiliated regular-season game, so the AFL is his first look in the organization.
Jhon Cabral, a 21-year-old right-hander who signed with the Cubs in June after the Marlins released him, struggled with command this season, as his 27.1% walk rate shows. The AFL will be an opportunity to work on his control.
Luis Rujano, a 23-year-old right-hander, had a challenging season with a 5.71 ERA, including a 7.28 ERA at Double-A Knoxville. His fall league assignment will focus on improving his strike-throwing consistency.
Miguel Useche, a 25-year-old catcher, joins the Salt River Rafters after hitting .281 with 13 home runs between High-A South Bend and Double-A Knoxville.
Yoendris Gonzalez, a 23-year-old right-hander, opened the season on the 60-day injured list and then posted a 2.64 ERA and a 35.4% strikeout rate. The AFL gives him a stage to show that strikeout ability.
Reid's return from injury and Snell's work to make up for his lost weeks are the Cubs storylines to follow in Arizona, and Cabada, at 18, gets a look at older competition than he has seen so far.