Cubs Prospect Will Sanders Shines as Future Starter

CHICAGO, IL — The Chicago Cubs are looking for their next ace from the minor leagues as they continue to build on their recent success in pitching. A key figure in this search is Will Sanders, who has quickly risen through the ranks since his selection in the 2023 MLB Draft.

Sanders, the Cubs’ No. 14 prospect, started his journey this season at Double-A Tennessee. He performed well enough there to earn a promotion to Triple-A Iowa on May 29, just weeks after Cade Horton was promoted. Although the two did not overlap in Iowa, they were teammates at Tennessee last year, where Horton faced injuries while Sanders battled through his rookie season.

In his first professional season, Sanders struggled with a 2-8 record and a 4.66 ERA over 24 games. Batters managed a .251 average against him, which posed challenges for his development. However, upon returning to Tennessee to start 2025, Sanders showed marked improvement, going 3-2 with a 2.64 ERA in nine starts, along with 44 strikeouts and only eight walks.

His performance earned him the opportunity to pitch at Iowa, where he remains in search of his footing. In two starts at the Triple-A level, Sanders has won both games, though he’s currently battling a higher ERA of 5.73 over 11 innings. Overall, his combined stats this season show he is 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA across 11 starts, with a .246 opponent batting average.

“Sanders pounds the strike zone while generating strikeouts at an above-average rate,” scouts reported. While his recent starts have been challenging, it’s clear that his time spent at Tennessee helped him make significant adjustments.

Although it’s uncertain if Sanders will help the Cubs at the major league level this season, interest is growing about a potential call-up in 2026, especially if his impressive strikeout rate continues.