Owen Caissie Makes MLB Debut: Chicago Cubs' Top Prospect Shines in First Gam

Owen Caissie, Chicago Cubs' rising star

Owen Caissie makes his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs, showcasing his impressive power-hitting skills. Read more about his journey.

The Chicago Cubs have called up their top prospect, Owen Caissie, for his MLB debut against the Toronto Blue Jays. Caissie, ranked No. 45 in baseball by MLB Pipeline, is a 23-year-old outfielder from Burlington, Ontario. He was acquired by the Cubs in a trade with the San Diego Padres in December 2020, which sent right-handed starter Yu Darvish to San Diego.

Caissie's Background and Stats:

• Rank: No. 45 prospect in MLB, No. 3 prospect in the Cubs system
• Minor League Stats: .292/.393/.573 slash line with 22 home runs, 26 doubles, and 53 unintentional walks in 92 games for Triple-A Iowa
• Career OPS: .875 across parts of five minor league seasons

Caissie made his MLB debut on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, just 35 miles from his hometown. Despite the Cubs losing 2-1, Caissie showcased his talent, with Cubs manager Craig Counsell praising his plate discipline and solid contact. Caissie finished 0-for-4 with a strikeout, but impressed with his ability to generate power, including a hard-hit ball to left-center field that was caught by Blue Jays left fielder Davis Schneider.

Owen Caissie has been on fire in Triple-A this season, boasting impressive stats:

• Batting Average: .289
• On-Base Percentage: .389
• Slugging Percentage: .566
• Home Runs: 22
• RBIs: 52
• OPS: .955

He's played 93 games for the Iowa Cubs, showcasing his power-hitting skills and earning recognition as the Cubs' top prospect and MLB's 45th overall prospect. Caissie's recent form includes a notable stretch since July, where he's hit .349 with a .708 slugging percentage and 1.134 OPS.

Owen Caissie, a 23-year-old Canadian outfielder, was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft, 45th overall. He was signed for $1.2 million, foregoing his commitment to the University of Michigan. Caissie’s impressive power was evident early on, showcasing massive raw power that allows him to hit balls out to all parts of the ballpark.

"YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT THAT BALL" @jkempradio

424 FEET OWEN CAISSIE'S BAT pic.twitter.com/XutXXZzPxU

— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) July 22, 2025

Caissie's Trade and Career Highlights:

• Trade to Cubs: Caissie was traded to the Chicago Cubs along with four other players in exchange for starting pitcher Yu Darvish in December 2020.

• Minor League Performance: He has consistently shown his hitting prowess, with notable performances in Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa, including:

• 2023: .289/.398/.519 slash line with 22 home runs and 82 RBIs in Double-A Tennessee.

• 2024: .278/.375/.472 slash line with 19 home runs and 75 RBIs in Triple-A Iowa.

• Scouting Grades: Caissie received perfect 60 scores in batting power and arm strength, highlighting his potential as a powerful hitter with strong arm capabilities.

Caissie's hard work and natural talent have propelled him to the top of the Cubs' prospect list. As he joins the team, he'll be looking to contribute to their World Series aspirations, bringing his impressive power-hitting skills to the plate.

OWEN CAISSIE SWING AT ITS FINEST pic.twitter.com/x8Q6eppApa

— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) August 10, 2025

The Chicago Cubs are struggling with their batting average, currently ranked 27th in the league with a .219 average, and 29th in OPS for the month of August. With the regular season nearing its end, they're looking to Owen Caissie to spark a turnaround. Caissie, the team's top prospect, has been impressive in Triple-A, and his power-hitting skills could be just what the Cubs need.

The Cubs have a strong overall record of 68-51, placing them 2nd in the National League Central division. However, they're trailing behind the Milwaukee Brewers, who are on a 12-game winning streak and lead the division. Despite this, the Cubs remain optimistic about their chances, with a talented roster and a strong season performance.

Current Cubs Standings:

• Overall Record: 68-51
• National League Central Division Rank: 2nd
• Recent Performance: Struggling with batting average and OPS in August

The Cubs' recent struggles at the plate have raised concerns, but with Caissie's arrival, they might be able to boost their offense and make a push for the playoffs. Let's see how Caissie performs in his debut and if he can help the Cubs turn things around.