Owen Caissie, who's slashing .289/.389/.566 with 22 homers this season, is being called up for his MLB debut. Here's what to expect from the @Cubs' top prospect in The Show: atmlb.com/4meYTKC
Top Canadian positional prospect Owen Caissie makes Major League debut against Blue Jays
Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
By Nick Prasad
Aug 14, 2025, 19:34 EDT
The wait for one of Canada’s top grassroots talents is officially over. The Chicago Cubs are calling up their top prospect, outfielder Owen Caissie.
The outfielder slotted into Thursday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre, acting as the DH and hitting fifth in the order. He went 0 for 4 at the plate with a strikeout but was robbed of his first big league hit in the top of the second inning.
The left-handed bat drove a first-pitch four-seamer from Max Scherzer the opposite way, and a highlight reel dive from left fielder Davis Schneider took away the potential first big league hit for the Canadian.
Caissie’s path to the big leagues has been over five years in the making. The San Diego Padres drafted the high schooler in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft, and in the following offseason, he was moved in a multi-player trade to the Cubs that saw Yu Darvish and Victor Caratini heading to the West Coast.
Caissie has spent the entire campaign up to this point with the triple-A Iowa Cubs, producing a .289/.389/.566 slash line with a .955 OPS. The top Cubs prospect put up 100 hits with 22 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 69 runs scored before being promoted. There was a strong chance for the 23-year-old from Burlington, Ontario to contend for an Opening Day roster spot before a groin injury shut him down in spring training.
Caissie has shown quick and noticeable development over the years. He has developed into a mature power hitter from the left side, and his swing and approach are more defined with noticeable bat speed and direction. The prospect has launched 63 home runs over the past three seasons. His ability to compete against elite arms was no way in doubt; in fact, it allowed him to advance quickly through the system.
The Fieldhouse Pirates alum is projected to be a 25-plus home run hitter once settled in the big leagues. He is the top-ranking Canadian positional prospect (#45) following the latest launch from MLB Pipeline; the only Canadian above him is New York Mets prospect pitcher Jonah Tong (#44). Both of these players were part of the Junior National Team program, while Caissie also suited up for Team Canada at the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Both players should factor into the 2026 Team Canada squad next season.
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