5 Iowa Cubs storylines to follow during the Minor League Baseball season

Opening Day has arrived for Minor League Baseball.

The Iowa Cubs kick off the 2024 season against the Omaha Storm Chasers at Werner Park in Omaha on Friday at 6:30 p.m. There will be plenty to follow for this year for the top affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.

Top prospects, former prospects and other under-the-radar names are some of the things that fans will want to keep an eye on throughout the season.

To get you ready for all the action, here are five storylines to follow for Iowa, which plays its first game at Des Moines' Principal Park on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Pete Crow-Armstrong will start the season in Iowa. But he likely won't end it here

Crow-Armstrong is the top prospect in the system, according to MLB Pipeline. He boasts Gold Glove potential as an elite outfielder. But the two biggest things surrounding Crow-Armstrong are his bat and any opportunity the Cubs may have for him. He struggled at the plate in his short stint in the majors last season. And with the Cubs bringing back Cody Bellinger, they no longer have an immediate need for a center fielder. So, Crow-Armstrong will start the season in Triple-A. But if Crow-Armstrong hits well, the Cubs will certainly find a spot for him. His glove and his speed are already major-league-caliber. They moved Crow-Armstrong around the outfield last season, and Bellinger can play first base.

Matt Shaw could see time in Iowa

Shaw won't begin the season in Triple-A. But it's a matter of when, not if, he'll get to Des Moines this summer. The 22-year-old infielder rapidly rose through the minors after the Cubs selected him with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 draft out of Maryland. Shaw proved he could hit at every level, compiling a .357/.400/.618 slash line across three levels in 38 games last season. He finished the season in Double-A and played well there. But Shaw is young and needs more seasoning. Which means he won't start the season in Triple-A. Still, if he puts together a strong start to the season, he could be in Iowa very quickly.

This will be a big season for Brennen Davis

The last few seasons have been a monumental struggle for Davis, who hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Davis appeared in just 53 games in 2022 and only 71 in 2023. His 2024 season is already off to a slow start, with the Cubs keeping him back in Arizona for a week or two while he deals with a minor injury. When Davis has been in the lineup, he has struggled. While he’s only 24 and still doesn’t have a lot of experience, the clock is ticking. The Cubs suddenly have a ton of talent in the outfield and some players have already passed Davis and made it to the majors. But the Cubs are determined to see if he can regain his form and once again showcase the potential that made him one of the biggest prospects in the organization two years ago.

There should be tons of other Cubs prospects coming to Des Moines

Crow-Armstrong and Shaw are among the headliners of prospects who will likely be in Des Moines this summer. But there are some other big names to keep an eye on. Right-hander Cade Horton, a first-round pick by the Cubs in 2022, but together solid numbers in his first season. Outfielder Owen Caissie destroyed pitching in spring training and will begin the season in Triple-A. Kevin Alcantara, picked up in the Anthony Rizzo trade with the New York Yankees, might not be far behind. Pitcher Ben Brown boasts one of the best arms Iowa has. Outfielder Alexander Canario was the odd man out in Chicago's outfield this spring. BJ Murray Jr., who spent all of last season in Tennessee's infield, is ready for the jump to Triple-A. First baseman Matt Mervis shouldn't be forgotten about. Neither should slick-fielding shortstop Luis Vazquez, who has shown plenty of pop and could help in Chicago if anything happens to Dansby Swanson.

Oh and don't forget about these names

The prospects aren't the only ones to watch. There will certainly be other contributors in Chicago this season that could be a surprise. Catcher Bryce Windham has hit well and gives Chicago some backstop depth and versatility around the diamond. Infielder Jake Slaughter put together a strong season in Triple-A before suffering a season-ending injury in 2023. Right-hander Ethan Roberts is coming back from Tommy John surgery. Another righty, Cam Sanders, had another strong spring and could get a chance if his command continues to improve. Hard-throwing right-hander Ben Leeper, who missed all of last season with another arm surgery, is expected to be back in Triple-A later this summer.

Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018, 2020 and 2023 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 5 Iowa Cubs storylines to follow during the 2024 minor-league season