A once-promising season on the North Side has taken a sharp turn. However, the Chicago Cubs’ young stars could help spark the team in 2026. At one point, the Cubs were first in the division and had two ten-game winning streaks. Now, they are on a nine-game losing streak and have lost five straight series. Every unit has struggled, and the team is desperate for solutions to end their May slump as soon as possible.
The starting rotation has shown promise at times, but has allowed the second-most home runs in the league. It is nearly the same story as the bullpen, which is a major concern. They have overall had a solid showing, but have been way too inconsistent. However, many of the struggles are related to injuries. The hitting does not have the same excuse, as they have been having trouble getting anything going, even when healthy. In fact, over the last 14 games, the Cubs have had one of the worst offenses in the league.
Over their last 14 games:
Cubs offense slashing .183/.289/.285
Their .574 TEAM OPS in that span is MLB-worst and 46 points LOWER than 2nd-worst Angels
Hard to find a lower, longer cold streak than this one.
— CHGO Cubs (@CHGO_Cubs) May 25, 2026
Meet the Cubs’ Young Stars
In an attempt to spark the team, Chicago has called up two of their top prospects. Their number two overall prospect, Pedro Ramírez, was called up when Matt Shaw went on the injured list. Additionally, Kevin Alcántara, who is ranked fifth in the system, is getting an opportunity to show his promise. They have both shown plenty of talent, and now get the chance to see if they can adapt to the major league level.
Pedro Ramírez
Many of the Cubs’ young stars have had flashes, but Ramírez has been one of the most talked-about prospects. He has skyrocketed up to being the second-ranked position player in the system. It was hard to see him getting much playing time, since he plays in the middle of the infield. All of those positions are filled for the next few seasons, so until Shaw got hurt, there was nowhere to play him. Since his promotion, he has worked at second base, which has allowed the Cubs to rotate the other starters.
First MLB knock ✅
First MLB RBI ✅
First MLB run ✅@Cubs No. 2 prospect Pedro Ramírez (MLB No. 85) lofts a double into center field and comes around to score in his first big league start. pic.twitter.com/W7Q9BhW27I— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 24, 2026
Ramírez has had a solid start, with a .286 batting average through seven at-bats. While he has not contributed too much yet at the major league level, the hope is that he can live up to the promise he has shown in Triple-A. Arguably, not many Cubs prospects have had as strong starts to the season as he has had. Ramírez has a .312 batting average, nine homers, and 40 RBI. He has also shown flashes of speed, with nine stolen bases.
Kevin Alcántara
Alcántara has had a complicated status with the team since this past offseason. His flashes of talent are promising, but the team has a crowded outfield this season, which has led to a tough dilemma. Unlike Ramírez, Alcántara has not had much of a role in his time at the major league level yet. Many fans have wanted the team to play him in an attempt to spark the offense, but we have not seen that happen so far.
Craig Counsell on Kevin Alcántara’s playing time: “Kevin’s on the roster, if there’s spots to get him in there, absolutely.” https://t.co/ynqgdyabhr pic.twitter.com/g393RMGU5S
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 23, 2026
The Cubs’ young star has a .246 batting average, 15 homers, and 32 RBI. The issue is his strikeout numbers, as he already has 36 strikeouts in Triple-A. As the Cubs try to get the veterans going, it does make sense for him not to see too much playing time. However, since the current unit is not working, they need to try something new.
Last Word on the Cubs’ Young Stars
When looking at the factors preventing them from playing, it does make sense to get the stars playing. You want to put the best players on the field, which is only possible if they can shake off the struggles. However, the biggest goal is to win. With the way the team is playing, that is not going to happen. Chicago needs something to spark the team if it wishes to snap the losing streak. Right now, it looks like the best way for that to happen is for the Cubs’ young stars on the field.
The Cubs are at a point where continuing to rely on the same formula is not working. Forcing a prospect into a situation never guarantees success. Even if there are growing pains, the upside they offer is undeniable. Another thing that they bring to the table is a new look and energy. If it’s only for a short time, they can give the stars some time off. This would help give them a mental break to reset. Regardless of the usage, the Cubs’ young stars may very well be the solution to turning the team around.
Main Photo Credit: © Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
