What happened: A pre-Trade Deadline look at the Chicago Cubs farm system finds Moises Ballesteros, Kevin Alcantara and Pedro Ramirez have all aged out of prospect status. Ballesteros exceeded the 120-plate-appearance threshold before being optioned back to the minors, while Alcantara and Ramirez have each logged 45 days in the majors without yet reaching 120 plate appearances.

Why it matters: All three retain six years of team control, making them the type of near-majors talent other clubs typically target in Deadline trades even though they no longer carry prospect eligibility. Pete Crow-Armstrong's hold on center field is part of why some of the system's outfield depth is viewed as movable in trade talks.

What to watch: Watch how the Cubs balance dealing from a deep farm system against in-house control of Ballesteros, Alcantara and Ramirez as the Aug. 3 deadline approaches.