Owen Caissie looks like the future of Chicago Cubs baseball. This young outfielder, the highest-drafted Canadian outfielder in MLB history, has shot up the minor league ranks and landed a spot on the Cubs’ roster.
Caissie signed with the San Diego Padres for $1,200,004 as the 45th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. The Padres later traded him to the Cubs, and fans now keep a close eye on his contract details.
The Cubs selected his contract in 2025, bringing his big bat and strong outfield skills to Wrigley Field. While his net worth sits at about $1,200,004, his real value goes way beyond money—he’s become a key piece of the Cubs’ rebuilding plans.
He never played a game for the Padres after they included him in the Yu Darvish trade. That move proved just how much teams believed in his potential right from the start.
Cubs fans waited for his big league arrival, and scouts have praised his power and improving plate discipline.
Early Life and Background
Owen Caissie started his baseball journey back in Canada. Growing up, he found a supportive environment and early exposure to sports that set him up for a pro career.
His upbringing and school experiences gave him a solid foundation for athletic development.
Family and Hometown
Owen Andrew Caissie was born July 8, 2002, in Burlington, Ontario. He grew up in a place where hockey usually rules, but baseball tugged at his heart.
Burlington, right by Lake Ontario, offered local baseball programs that helped him grow his skills. Details about his family aren’t widely shared, but it’s obvious he had support that let him chase his baseball dreams.
While most kids around him leaned into hockey, Caissie felt drawn to baseball. That passion took him down a different path than his Burlington peers.
Education and Early Interests
He attended Notre Dame High School in Burlington, juggling schoolwork with baseball. Even as a teenager, he stood out for his athletic ability and caught scouts’ attention.
Caissie dove into advanced training methods early on. He added things like:
- Advanced footwork drills
- Strength and conditioning
- Structured weight training
That kind of commitment to baseball showed he was serious, even before he turned pro. While other Canadian kids might collect hockey cards, Caissie obsessed over his swing and outfield plays.
This early development in Canadian baseball paved the way for the Padres to select him in the second round (45th overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft.
Baseball Career Development
Owen Caissie’s baseball story moves fast—from standout high schooler to an exciting Cubs prospect. He’s got natural talent, but he also works hard to refine his skills.
High School Achievements
At Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School, Caissie made a name for himself as one of Canada’s top baseball talents. Scouts noticed his left-handed power and strong arm in the outfield.
He represented Canada in international tournaments like the U18 Baseball World Cup. Facing tough competition helped him grow—and get noticed by more scouts.
His high school stats were strong, with batting averages over .300 and power you don’t often see in Canadian prep players. Coaches liked his advanced approach and his ability to hit for both average and power.
Draft and Signing
In 2020, the San Diego Padres drafted him 45th overall, making him the highest-drafted Canadian outfielder ever. They signed him with a bonus of $1,200,004.
But he never played for the Padres. That same offseason, they traded him to the Cubs in the Yu Darvish deal.
The size of his signing bonus showed just how much teams believed in him. Scouts especially liked his raw power and saw him as a possible middle-of-the-order bat.
Minor League Progression
After joining the Cubs, Caissie worked his way up the minor league ladder. He focused on sharpening his approach at the plate and getting better in the outfield.
By 2023, he’d earned recognition as one of baseball’s top prospects. He landed as high as No. 54 by MLB Pipeline and No. 64 by Baseball America.
His power keeps impressing, and he’s put in extra work on plate discipline and cutting down strikeouts.
Defensively, he’s mostly played the corners—right field suits him, thanks to his strong arm. The Cubs’ coaches have helped him improve his routes and his first step in the outfield.
Professional Career and Key Statistics
Owen Caissie’s career shows how he’s grown from a top draft pick to a promising outfield talent with the Cubs. His time in the minors and his move toward MLB action highlight his potential.
Chicago Cubs Journey
The San Diego Padres drafted Caissie in 2020, 45th overall. He signed for $1,200,004, but the Padres traded him before he played a game for them.
The Cubs picked him up as part of a big trade. He developed in their farm system, with the team keeping a close watch on his progress as a power-hitting outfielder.
Born in Burlington, Ontario, on July 8, 2002, Caissie made it to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. On November 19, 2024, the Cubs added him to their 40-man roster, setting him up for an MLB debut.
Performance Highlights
Caissie’s offensive game has turned heads. At only 22 (in 2025), his left-handed power and ability to drive the ball to all fields stand out.
He usually plays right field, using his strong arm and growing defensive instincts. His throwing arm grades out as above-average, and he’s a real threat to runners.
People sometimes compare him to Heston Kjerstad, but Caissie focuses more on raw power than contact skills. He’s had some clutch moments in the minors, showing he can deliver under pressure.
His steady improvement in plate discipline and power numbers gives the Cubs confidence that he’s moving closer to being MLB-ready.
Noteworthy Comparisons
Scouts sometimes compare Caissie’s swing and approach to MLB stars like Kyle Tucker. Both have that left-handed power and patience at the plate. Tucker’s already an All-Star, but Caissie’s ceiling is still wide open.
Unlike pitchers like Justin Verlander, who made an instant impact, hitters like Caissie usually need more time to develop.
His minor league stats point to good trends—especially in power and on-base percentage.
Baseball America and other outlets keep ranking him among the Cubs’ top prospects, mostly because of his raw power and improving hitting approach.
Contract Details and Financial Overview
Owen Caissie’s financial path in MLB follows the usual route for a top draft pick. His contract shows how MLB structures pay for young players.
Initial Contract Terms
He entered pro baseball with a lot of promise—and a nice payday. As the 45th overall pick in 2020, Caissie signed with the Padres for $1,200,004. That made him the highest-drafted Canadian outfielder ever. He never played for the Padres, though.
The Cubs got him in the Yu Darvish deal, taking over his contract. His minor league deal kept him under team control for a while as he developed in Chicago’s system.
Current Salary
For 2025, Caissie has pre-arbitration status with the Cubs. That means he’s making close to the league minimum while building up service time. The Cubs picked his contract from Triple-A Iowa in November 2024, officially putting him on the 40-man roster.
Pre-arbitration players don’t have much leverage—teams set their salaries until the players hit arbitration after about three years. This helps teams manage costs with young talent. As a rookie with upside, Caissie gives the Cubs a budget-friendly option while they develop their next wave of stars.
Owen Caissie Net Worth and Endorsements
Owen Caissie is starting to build his financial base as a rising MLB player. His early career earnings and potential for endorsements are just getting started.
Estimated Net Worth
Right now, his net worth is estimated at $1,200,004, mostly from his baseball earnings so far. Drafted in the second round by the Padres in 2020, Caissie’s finances are still in the early stages.
He signed a one-year deal with the Cubs, but exact salary details aren’t public. Usually, prospects see their net worth jump once they make it in the majors.
His outlook looks bright as he climbs through the Cubs system. Now that he’s on their big league roster, his financial future could take off soon.
Sponsorships and Endorsements
Caissie’s endorsement portfolio is still pretty modest, at least when you compare it to what established MLB stars have going on. That’s pretty normal for a prospect just starting to make waves.
As the Canadian outfielder keeps building his professional career, you’d expect more endorsement opportunities to pop up for him.
A lot of rising baseball talents like Caissie usually land regional deals with:
- Local sporting goods retailers
- Athletic apparel brands
- Regional food and beverage companies
So far, Caissie hasn’t broken into the premium endorsement scene. Big national clothing brands and beer companies usually chase after MLB stars who’ve already built a solid fan base.
Those bigger deals tend to show up once a player proves himself at the major league level and puts together some consistent performances.
Since he’s from Burlington, Ontario, Caissie might be able to use his Canadian roots to land endorsements on both sides of the border as his profile gets bigger.
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