The Chicago Cubs have made an unexpected organizational decision during their weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds, releasing shortstop Ed Howard, a former first-round draft pick who had spent six seasons in the organization. The move was reported on Sunday, August 30, 2026, with Howard being released from the Cubs’ Triple-A Iowa affiliate.
The timing of the decision is notable because the Cubs are in the middle of an important stretch of the season. Chicago entered Sunday’s series finale against Cincinnati with the series tied 1-1 and still chasing the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League race. The Cubs were reported to be eight games behind Milwaukee for the top NL Wild Card position, making every roster and organizational decision particularly significant at this stage of the season.
Ed Howard’s Cubs journey comes to an end
Howard, now 24 years old, originally joined the Cubs after being selected by the organization in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft. Chicago signed him on June 22, 2020, viewing the young shortstop as a potentially important piece of its future. At 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, Howard brought defensive ability and athleticism to the position, but his offensive development ultimately failed to progress at the rate the organization had hoped.
His departure closes a six-year chapter that saw him work through multiple levels of the Cubs’ minor-league system. Howard’s best season statistically came in 2024 at High-A, when he appeared in 102 games and recorded 85 hits, 18 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 24 RBIs and eight stolen bases. While those numbers showed some encouraging signs, they did not translate into the sustained offensive development necessary to push him toward a major-league opportunity.
Struggles at Double-A and Triple-A proved costly
Howard’s 2026 campaign appears to have been the final turning point. He split the season between Double-A and Triple-A but struggled significantly at both levels.
At Double-A, Howard played 40 games and collected 19 hits, including four doubles and two home runs, while driving in eight runs. He then received an opportunity at Triple-A Iowa, but his offensive difficulties continued. In 12 Triple-A games, he managed only four hits and one double. Overall, he finished the season with a .168 batting average, according to the report.
The lack of consistent offensive production was particularly damaging because Howard had never been viewed primarily as a power hitter. His value was expected to come from his ability to make contact, defend shortstop and contribute with his athleticism. As his career progressed, however, even the contact element of his game became increasingly difficult to rely upon.
That combination ultimately made it difficult for the Cubs to continue investing in his development.
Why the release matters for Chicago
The decision is not necessarily connected to the Cubs’ major-league roster in a direct way. Howard had been playing in the minor leagues, meaning his release does not represent the removal of a current MLB contributor from Craig Counsell’s lineup.
Nevertheless, it is significant because Howard was once viewed as one of the organization’s more important young prospects. His first-round status and defensive reputation generated considerable expectations when he entered the Cubs’ system.
The Cubs’ decision suggests that the organization has reached a point where it no longer believes another developmental season with Howard will produce the offensive breakthrough necessary to justify keeping him in the system.
What could be next for Howard?
Despite the disappointing ending in Chicago, Howard’s professional career does not necessarily have to be over.
At 24, he remains young enough for another organization to take a chance on him, particularly if a team believes it can help him rebuild his offensive approach. His defensive background at shortstop could also make him attractive as minor-league depth for an organization willing to give him another opportunity.
One possible route would be signing with another organization and beginning again at the lower levels of the minor leagues. The challenge, however, is that Howard has already spent several years in professional baseball without establishing himself as a consistent offensive producer. That could limit the number of organizations willing to make a significant investment in his development.
Cubs focused on the bigger picture
For Chicago, the release comes at a time when the organization is increasingly focused on maximizing its current roster and determining which prospects can contribute to a potential postseason push.
The Cubs have several young players competing for important roles, while established stars and emerging talents are attempting to keep the team in contention. With the season moving toward its final weeks, organizational patience becomes increasingly valuable only when there is a realistic path toward future production.
Howard’s release therefore represents more than simply removing one minor-league player from the system. It marks the conclusion of a once-promising prospect’s Cubs story and another example of how difficult it can be for highly drafted young players to turn potential into major-league production.
For Cubs fans, the move may be disappointing because of the expectations that surrounded Howard when Chicago selected him in 2020. But baseball development rarely follows a straight line, and Howard’s release gives him an opportunity to begin another chapter elsewhere.
For now, the Cubs have decided to move on, ending Ed Howard’s six-year run in the organization as Chicago continues reshaping its minor-league system and concentrating on players it believes can help the franchise in the future.
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