The Cubs are the talk of the big leagues this season due to their ridiculously hot start. With All-Stars all over the diamond, sometimes it easy to forget about the talent and depth they have in the minor leagues. After spending the 2015 season at High-A and Double-A, Albert Almora began the 2016 season at Triple-A where he has excelled with a slash line of .341/.364/.504. Almora is on a roll right now with five multi-hit games in a row. There is nowhere to put him in the talented Cubs outfield, but that could change quickly with an injury. What’s more likely is that Almora, who is only 22 years old, receives a late season call-up.

Houston took Kyle Tucker in the first-round of last year’s Amateur Draft and he’s already excelling in a big way at Single-A Quad Cities. Tucker is showing phenomenal speed over his first 34 games with 16 steals to date. On top of that, he’s slashing .328/.403/.448 with three triples. Not bad for a 19-year-old.

Detroit looks to have an elite power bat brewing at High-A Lakeland. Over his first 36 games, Christin Stewart has gone deep 13 times and driven in 28 runs. While his .246 average is underwhelming, the hope is that he will continue to develop in the contact department. A couple of positive signs surrounding Stewart is his 13.0 percent walk rate this year and his BABIP of .241. That number was .338 at Single-A West Michigan a season ago.

After a dreadful start to the season, White Sox prospect Tim Anderson has a seven-game hit streak and has raised his average from .222 to .288. He’s also hit three homers and swiped four bags in that time.

Elite Arms

It’s becoming increasingly obvious that Dodgers top pitching prospect, Julio Urias, isn’t long for the minor leagues. Urias threw six scoreless innings on Saturday night, extending his streak to 22 innings. He leads the Pacific Coast League with a 1.25 ERA and has struck out 39 hitters in 36 innings while walking eight. The Dodgers could choose to call Urias up and use him in the bullpen, but with Alex Wood and Ross Stripling at the backend of the rotation, he would be an instant upgrade. Remember, this kid is only 19!

Speaking of the backend of rotations, the Pirates are struggling in that department. Jon Niese and Jeff Locke both have ERAs north of 5.00 and neither is showing signs of improvement. Luckily for Pittsburgh, they have two top prospects waiting in the wings. Tyler Glasnow has been elite and on the fast track to the majors since being drafted by the Pirates in 2011, while Jameson Taillon has taken the scenic route due to injuries. Neither is likely to be up before the Super Two deadline in June, but once that date comes and goes, both could get the call at any time. Glasnow has the higher ceiling of the two, but Taillon is no slouch. Now is the time to add Glasnow in all leagues. Taillon should be added in deeper leagues.

Monster Lines

A’s seventh-ranked prospect Chad Pinder went 4-for-4 with a double and RBI for Triple-A Nashville on Saturday night. He’s gotten off to a slow start (.229, 33 Ks in 118 at-bats), but this could be the sign of a breakout after hitting .317 with a 15 homers at Double-A in 2015

In his debut for the Lancaster JetHawks, Astros prospect threw five scoreless innings and struck out 10 batters on Saturday. Bower has excelled at every level to date and owns an 11.8 K/9 over 15 appearances in the minor leagues. He is moving quickly through the Astros system and could help in the bullpen later this year.

A.J. Murray put on quite a show at Single-A Cedar Rapids on Friday night going 5-for-5 with two homers, five RBI, and five runs scored. The Twins drafted Murray in last year’s Amateur Draft and he is the team’s top catching prospect. He should move through the Twins’ system rapidly.

Recent Call-Ups

Tommy Joseph, Phillies

I recommended grabbing Joseph in Thursday’s column and he was brought up from Triple-A on Thursday. He not going to play everyday, but should receive enough at-bats to be useful in NL-Only leagues.

Gary Sanchez, Yankees

As surprising as it was to see the Yankees call up Sanchez, it was even more unforeseen that they’d send him right back to Scranton. He will continue to receive everyday at-bats in Triple-A, but clearly the Yankees could recall him at anytime. For that reason, he needs to be rostered in all AL-Only leagues and even 14- or 16-team mixed leagues with deeper benches.