Because we’re not going to have baseball until Tuesday, I’m going to spend three days working on a thread of every player in South Bend, and what in my opinion this season means for them and their future. We’ll go alphabetical down the current list of 32. (1/33)

Cory Abbott, 24, RHP. My 2019 Cubs Prospect of the Year. While he’s extreme SP depth for this year, I think Abbott’s 2020 is more about proving he can be the team’s de facto 6th/7th starter in 2021. Keep the curve, change consistency. See if FB can play up a bit. Get innings. 2/

Jason Adam, 29, RHP. Like Winkler and Tepera, a Cubs buy-low signing this winter, but one that didn’t require a 40-man spot. Adam is trying to prove he deserves one, and a shot. I’d wonder if he has about 4 more weeks to do this before Cubs might use spot for another prospect. 3/

Cody Allen, 31, RHP. Currently in a race with Kelvin Herrera over who should be the vet arm the Cubs try and capture lightning in a bottle with next. Cubs probably trying to see more 94s and less 92s from Allen, but more importantly, an idea where they’re going. 4/

Adbert Alzolay, 25, RHP. I find the lack of urgency with Alzolay’s development this year a bit confusing. Not in big lg summer camp, not mentioned lately in bullpen mix. Out of options in 2021. Still improving CV, adding 2 seam, velo consistency, but c’mon, give it a try. 5/

Miguel Amaya, 21, C. I’d bet no player in S.B. is receiving as pointed instruction as Amaya, what with multiple ex-catchers on the coaching staff and a veteran (Lobaton) there for mentorship. For me, the focus this year is on harder contact, for the BP power to translate. 6/

Rex Brothers, 32, LHP. Fighting for another opportunity in bigs this year (which might hinge on Kyle Ryan’s health/effectiveness). But he’s also fighting an uphill climb to not be non-tendered in December (or DFA’d before then), as he’ll be arb-eligible and out of options. 7/

Jharel Cotton, 28, RHP. The potential the Cubs saw in Cotton was a hint of a velo bump, and belief their infrastructure could improve his cutter, curveball or both. He’s going to need to show significant growth towards that potential to survive future 40-man roster crunches. 8/

Burl Carraway, 21, LHP. South Bend offers Cubs opportunity to see how Burl’s stuff plays against legit big lg experience in Dietrich, Perez, Lobaton, etc. I doubt they’re gonna mess with the stuff profile much, but instead see if mechanics/command are MLB caliber yet or not. 9/

Brennen Davis, 20, OF. Hitting all the right checkpoints. South Bend, imo, offers 2 things: the ability to develop plate discipline thru seeing big league-caliber stuff and chance for Cubs to hands-on monitor strength development. Question is: Double-A next year? 10/