The Chicago Cubs are seriously looking at going into the 2027 season with Miguel Amaya and rookie Owen Ayers behind the plate. That’s a bold move considering Ayers hasn’t even made his big league debut yet, but it tells you exactly how much faith the club has in this kid.
The Rookie Is Getting Primed For Major League Catching
This isn’t just talk, the Cubs have been actively prepping Ayers. After Iowa’s season wrapped up, they brought him straight to Chicago. This wasn’t for a cup of coffee; it was to give him a full-on masterclass in what it means to be a major league catcher. He was sitting in on meetings with the coaching staff, picking the brains of Carson Kelly and Amaya. They wanted him to soak it all in, to get a real feel for the job firsthand. It’s clear they want him ready to take over those major league catching duties “sometime next year,” meaning 2027 is his target. And honestly, it sounds like if Kelly or Amaya had gone down with an injury, Ayers would have been activated. That’s a heavy vote of confidence.
Ayers’ Prospects Are Off The Charts
We’re not just talking about some random guy here. Baseball America just ranked Ayers as the Cubs’ number two prospect, right behind Josiah Hartshorn. That’s a legit ranking and it shows he’s got the goods. From what the scouts are saying, he boasts a “great arm” and really “made huge strides in the rest of his defensive game last season.” For a catcher, that defensive growth is everything. He’s got the tools, and the Cubs are clearly ready to unleash him.
The Cubs haven’t completely shut the door on Carson Kelly returning, but the direction is undeniable. All eyes are going to be on Ayers as we head into 2027. Can he handle the jump? Will he make his major league debut early in the season? Cubs fans should be absolutely buzzing to see what this highly-touted prospect brings to the big leagues.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply