If I’d told you, oh, say, about two months ago, that a Chicago Cubs prospect would win Player of the Month honors in the Southern League for August, you’d have been sure you could nail it within a few guess. You’d have correctly surmised that Moises Ballesteros would be promoted by then, and you probably would’ve guessed that Matt Shaw would be gone, too. Also correct. But I’m thinking you might’ve figured AT LEAST ONE of Kevin Alcántara or James Triantos was still at Double-A Tennessee and raking. Something around there.
But the thing is, a Chicago Cubs prospect did win Player of the Month honors in the Southern League for August, but it isn’t ANY of those top prospects. It’s a guy who only arrived at the end of July, and went on an absolute tear:
Long, 22, was the Cubs’ 9th rounder last year, and although he hit well last season and then to start this year at High-A, it wasn’t until Double-A this summer that he truly exploded.
You can trust from the award that his August was resplendent, but even that kinda understates just how good he’s been at Double-A, which includes 10 days in July and another half-week here in September: .348/.467/.556/200 wRC+ over 169 PAs, with a 17.8% BB, 16.6% K, and a .207 ISO. The .392 BABIP is certainly on the high side, but when you consider all the peripherals – including the 28.3% line drive rate – a lot of it is simply because he’s hitting the snot out of the ball.
Long is a corner infielder, though he’s seen a little action in left field this season. As to the how, when, and where of his future with the Cubs, he fits into the “just let it play out and see where it goes” category of prospect. If he finishes up this season so strong at Double-A that you feel he has to open 2025 at Triple-A? So be it. And if he stays on a tear and obliterates Triple-A through the first half next season, well, then, you might have a delightful problem on your hands. We’ve been here enough to know that is far from a lock to happen, but it’s just great to have a breakout, award-winning prospect like Long to discuss.
