Cubs debut for Caissie, Canada's player, against the Jays in a match
Canadian outfielder Owen Caissie made his long-awaited Major League Baseball (MLB) debut for the Chicago Cubs on Thursday afternoon at Rogers Centre. The 23-year-old prospect, who was drafted with the 45th overall pick of the 2020 amateur draft by the San Diego Padres, joined the Cubs following a trade in December 2020 and a recent recall from Triple-A.
Caissie, who stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 190 pounds, bats left-handed and throws right-handed. In his brief MLB career so far, he has shown promise, hitting a home run in his third game.
A Consistent Power Hitter in the Minor Leagues
Before his promotion to the Cubs, Caissie had a stellar minor league career. In 2025, he played 93 games for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, where he hit .289 with 22 home runs and 52 RBIs. His on-base percentage was a strong .389, and his slugging percentage was an impressive .566.
Looking back at Caissie's career minor league statistics, it's clear that he has been a consistent power hitter with strong on-base skills and speed. His statistics, shown in the table below, demonstrate his power and hitting ability[1][2].
| Year | Level | Games | HR | RBI | AVG | OBP | SLG | |-------|-------|-------|----|-----|-------|-------|-------| | 2021 | Rookie A | 54 | 7 | 29 | .302 | .434 | .489 | | 2022 | A+ | 105 | 11 | 58 | .254 | .349 | .402 | | 2023 | AA | 120 | 22 | 84 | .289 | .398 | .519 | | 2024 | AAA | 127 | 19 | 75 | .278 | .375 | .472 | | 2025 | AAA | 93 | 22 | 52 | .289 | .389 | .566 |
*MLB (2025): 1 game, no hits yet (0-for-4)[2].
A Promising Future Awaits
Caissie is viewed as a high-upside power threat with an advanced approach at the plate. His high hard-hit rate (51.5%) and an average exit velocity of 91.9 mph, both comparable to top MLB hitters[1], make him a promising prospect.
However, the Cubs have a crowded outfield with players like Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Kyle Tucker, plus Seiya Suzuki handling designated hitter duties. This may limit Caissie's immediate role. Nonetheless, given his production and power potential, Caissie is considered an up-and-coming dynasty player with potential to become a regular MLB contributor if he can earn playing time[2][3].
In his big-league debut, Caissie batted in the fifth spot as the designated hitter. Although he didn't record a hit in his first at-bat, Davis Schneider made a diving catch in left field to deny him an extra-base hit. Despite the early setback, Caissie remained focused and caught a morning flight from Des Moines, Iowa, and arrived at the downtown stadium shortly before the start of the mid-afternoon interleague series finale.
As he embarks on his MLB career, Caissie will face challenges, but his talent and determination make him a player to watch. With his first major league home run already under his belt, fans eagerly await his next big moment.
Sources:
[1] MLB Pipeline
[2] Chicago Cubs
[3] ESPN
Caissie's minor league statistics suggest he is a consistent power hitter, with a strong on-base percentage and impressive slugging percentage, as evidenced by his performances in 2025 with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs.
Despite a crowded outfield in the Chicago Cubs, Caissie's high-upside power threat potential and advanced plate approach make him a promising prospect for the future, considered an "up-and-coming dynasty player" with the potential to become a regular MLB contributor.
