MESA, Ariz. — Although the rain might’ve prevented the game from being played, Friday’s Spring Breakout at Sloan Park was scheduled to be as much a showcase of the Cubs’ minor league talent as it was a testament to just how deep their system is.

Some of the players either on the bench or not playing in the game entirely were proof.

Of the Cubs’ top 30 prospects, per MLB Pipeline, 15 featured on the roster including eight of the top 10. Players in big-league camp, Jordan Wicks, Michael Busch, Alexander Canario, Matt Mervis and Luke Little are all in the top 30 but weren’t going to feature as they compete for a big-league spot.

Then there were other top-30 prospects like Luis Vázquez, Ben Brown, Cristian Hernández and others who weren’t in the game. The Spring Breakout game was called due to rain after about an hour rain delay and prospects from both teams signed autographs on the concourse level at Sloan Park.

“They’re all on this journey to try to become guys and some of them will, some of them won’t,” manager Craig Counsell said. “But there’s enough of them that you know the odds are really in our favor that there’s gonna be that guy so our job is to help all them and take part in that journey.”

So much of trying to predict future impacts by prospects is a crapshoot — Christopher Morel was never a highly-touted prospect, yet he’s had a massive impact on the Cubs and looks to do so moving forward. But being able to count on a vast number of prospects allows the Cubs to have wiggle room when things don’t break their way.

“I think it’s flexibility in where you can make a decision, being able to account for things [that] don’t go right and have another solution,” Counsell said. “I think that’s really important. That’s what a good farm system does.”

The Cubs have built their minor league system to a place where they have talent ready to contribute in the near future and step up. When Jameson Taillon suffered an injury that could land him on the IL to start the season, the Cubs didn’t panic, knowing pitchers like Javier Assad and Hayden Wesneski are ready to step in if needed. And behind them, the Cubs have players across levels that can create a steady pipeline to the major leagues.

“I feel like we’re in a really good place,” Counsell said. “We’re really uniquely positioned to still allow for development, but like have you guys from the farm system [to] really help this team this year.”

Cubs drop Cactus League contest

The Cubs fell to the White Sox 3-2 at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. in a rain-shortened 8-inning contest. Jordan Wicks worked up to 5 innings of work — he allowed 3 runs on 4 hits in the outing while striking out 2.

Miles Mastrobuoni, Brennen Davis and Alexander Canario each doubled, and reliever Mark Leiter Jr. pitched a scoreless 6^th inning with a strikeout.

Next Up

The Cubs have split-squad action on Saturday, as they host the Royals at 3:05 p.m. at Sloan Park with Drew Smyly starting. Righty prospect Ben Brown will start against the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The contest against the Royals will air on Marquee Sports Network and the game in Tempe will be available on the Marquee Sports Network App.