Cubs calling up top prospect ahead of Braves series

The Chicago Cubs have made an intriguing move ahead of a three-game series versus the Atlanta Braves, with Jorge Castillo of ESPN reporting that the National League Central club is promoting infielder Luis Vazquez. Castillo and Vazquez are cousins and as noted by the former, his source of the update is no less than the latter’s mother.

“The Cubs are calling up Luisito Vázquez, per mi tía (his mother). The best news I’ll probably ever report in my career. From Orocovis to Wrigley.”

The development on the Vazquez front appears to be part of the Cubs’ plan to plug the temporary void left open by second baseman Nico Hoerner, who has missed six games in a row because of a lower-body injury (hamstring). Over that same span, the Cubs have won just two games and lost four, including Sunday’s 3-2 defeat in a series finale at home versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. There is reason to believe that the Cubs are looking to make a move on Hoerner that will have him land on the injured list where another infielder, shortstop Dansby Swanson, is already currently spending time.

Vazquez was selected in the 14th round of the 2017 MLB June Amateur Draft and has since played for numerous teams in the minors. He started to truly turn heads with his play in 2023 when he slashed .271/.361/.456 to go with a total of 20 home runs and 80 RBIs across a combined 528 plate appearances for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs and for the Double-A Tennessee Smokies.

Here’s how part of his profile on MLB.com’s prospect rankings for the Cubs:

“Vazquez makes all the plays at shortstop with range to both sides, quick hands, plus arm strength and a good internal clock. He’s so good at short that Chicago rarely has deployed him at other positions, though his tools also make him a quality defender at second and third base. He’s blocked by Dansby Swanson in the Majors and still has to prove his bat is real, but he could be an asset as a glove-first utilityman.”

It also appears that Vazquez has made a notable change in his batting stance that sparked his improved offensive play. Before his breakout in 2023, Vazquez had only posted 225/.276/.345 with seven home runs and 27 runs driven in in 450 plate appearances.

“Lowering his hands at the plate keyed Vazquez’s offensive breakout, helping him to keep his right-handed stroke on plane and enabling him to hit balls harder and farther than before. He also looked to turn on pitches more often and exceeded his combined home run total of 16 from his first five pro seasons. He’s still overly aggressive at the plate but boosted his walk rate to 10 percent in 2023 as pitchers had to respect his newfound power.”

In 2024, Vazquez continued to shine with his bat for Iowa, having batted .270/.369/.409 with three home runs and 11 RBIs through his first 164 plate appearances.

Cubs looking to start consistency, as Braves series looms