Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Owen Ayers and why is the Cubs promoting him to Triple-A?
Owen Ayers is the Chicago Cubs' top catching prospect, a 25-year-old switch-hitter who has been the best hitter in Double-A in 2026. After posting a league-leading 167 wRC+ with 16 home runs in 65 games for the Knoxville Smokies, the Cubs promoted him to the Iowa Cubs to begin the second half of the 2026 season.
What round was Owen Ayers drafted and where did he go to college?
Owen Ayers was drafted by the Cubs in the 19th round of the 2024 draft, selected 572nd overall out of Marshall University. He was far from a highly touted pick and wasn't even ranked in the Cubs' top-30 prospects heading into the 2025 season.
What did Owen Ayers do in the Arizona Fall League to put himself on the map?
Ayers slashed .379/.539/.591 in the Arizona Fall League with three home runs and 16 RBI, earning the Arizona Fall League Breakout Player of the Year award. He finished the AFL with a 1.341 OPS and six home runs, which kicked off his rapid rise through the Cubs' system.
What are Owen Ayers' stats at Double-A Knoxville in 2026?
Ayers has been dominant at Double-A, posting a league-leading 167 wRC+ with a .304/.417/.591 slash line in 65 games for the Knoxville Smokies. He's hit 16 home runs and owns an impressive 15.1 walk percentage during that stretch.
When could Owen Ayers make his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs?
Based on his rapid rise through the minor leagues, Ayers could be in the mix for the Cubs' MLB roster in 2027 as the backup catcher. He is currently ranked as the Cubs' No. 8 prospect according to MLB Pipeline after beginning the 2026 season unranked.
Aldo Soto
With a journalism degree from Eastern Illinois University and a decade of Cubs reporting, my work has appeared on 670 The Score, ESPN 1000, and the Pinwheels and Ivy Podcast. I cover Cubs news and analysis for Sports Mockery, including roster moves, game breakdowns, and prospect development.
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