Baseball debut of Caissie for Cubs versus Blue Jays in Canada
Chicago Cubs' Top Prospect Owen Caissie Makes Major League Debut in Canada
On August 14, 2025, Canadian-born outfielder Owen Caissie made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut for the Chicago Cubs at Rogers Centre in Toronto, becoming the first Canadian-born Cubs player to debut in Canada. The series finale was part of a mid-afternoon interleague series against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Caissie, a native of Burlington, Ont., showed promise in his debut, hitting a line drive on the very first pitch he saw that was caught in a remarkable diving catch, narrowly missing an extra-base hit. He started as the designated hitter and batted fifth, taking a spot over Seiya Suzuki for the game. Although his MLB debut stat line was modest, his performance and debut in front of his home country's fans were highly praised.
Before his call-up, Caissie was excelling in Triple-A with the Iowa Cubs. He finished the 2025 season with a .289 average, 22 home runs, and a .955 OPS over 93 games. Caissie had been a top prospect for Chicago, ranked as the team's best and No. 45 prospect in baseball overall by MLB Pipeline. His strong Triple-A performance included a hot streak hitting .363 with a 1.171 OPS and 10 homers over his last 27 games before his promotion.
Analysts and fans were eager to see how Caissie would fit into the Cubs’ lineup moving forward, given the existing struggles of some established players at the plate, and the potential impact Caissie could have as a power-hitting outfielder. Craig Counsell, the Cubs manager, stated that Caissie hits the ball extremely hard and will hit a lot of home runs someday.
Reactions were enthusiastic, highlighting that his debut held special significance personally and culturally as a Canadian making his first MLB appearance in Canada. Miguel Amaya, a catcher for the Cubs, had been placed on the 10-day injured list with a left ankle sprain, creating an opportunity for Caissie to make his debut.
With Caissie's addition, the Cubs' outfield now includes Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Ian Happ, providing a formidable lineup for the team moving forward. As Caissie continues to adapt to the MLB level, fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipate his potential contributions to the Cubs' success.
[1] ESPN: Owen Caissie's MLB debut: Highlights, stats, and reactions
[2] MLB.com: Owen Caissie makes MLB debut for Cubs, hits line drive in loss to Blue Jays
[3] Sportsnet: Owen Caissie makes MLB debut for Cubs in Toronto
[4] The Athletic: Owen Caissie makes MLB debut for Cubs, hits line drive in loss to Blue Jays
[5] Chicago Tribune: Owen Caissie makes MLB debut for Cubs, hits line drive in loss to Blue Jays
Sports enthusiasts across Canada and the United States eagerly watched as Owen Caissie, a top MLB prospect, made his major league debut for the Chicago Cubs against the Toronto Blue Jays. Caissie's debut was historic, marking the first time a Canadian-born Cubs player played an MLB game in Canada.
