Blue Jays Trade Kevin Gausman to Cubs; Iowa Cubs' Brett Bateman Headed to Toronto
The Toronto Blue Jays kicked off a sell-off ahead of the trade deadline Sunday night, sending veteran pitcher Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs. In return, the Blue Jays landed two prospects, including a standout outfielder from the Triple-A Iowa Cubs who has been tearing it up at the plate in Des Moines.
Brett Bateman, a 24-year-old outfielder, and shortstop Ty Southisene, 21, are headed north of the border. The deal gives the Blue Jays two contact-heavy, speed-driven players who fit Toronto's recent roster-building philosophy.
Who Is Brett Bateman?
Bateman, an eighth-round pick out of Minnesota in 2023, has been a bright spot for the Iowa Cubs this season. Through 82 games, he is hitting .312 with a .430 on-base percentage, 33 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. His 17.1 percent walk rate and 18.9 percent strikeout rate place him in the 85th percentile or higher among Triple-A hitters in those categories, according to MLB data.
His speed is a game-changer. MLB Pipeline grades his running at 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale, and he uses it to beat out infield hits and cover ground in center field. Bateman has 83 career stolen bases in the minors.
Where Bateman struggles is power. He has only three home runs this season and six in his professional career. His max exit velocity of 105.7 mph would rank near the bottom among qualified major leaguers. Still, his 18 doubles this year are a career high, and his slugging percentage has climbed to .421.
Who Is Ty Southisene?
Southisene, a 21-year-old shortstop, was a fourth-round pick in 2024 out of Basic Academy in Nevada. He has spent this season splitting time between Low-A Myrtle Beach and High-A South Bend, hitting .306 with a .425 on-base percentage, 35 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases across 66 games.
Southisene is a bat-to-ball specialist. He posted the lowest in-zone whiff rate among Cubs prospects this season, per Baseball America, and has walked more than he has struck out as a pro. He has 72 career stolen bases and has been caught just 14 times.
Like Bateman, Southisene lacks power. He has yet to hit a minor-league home run. Defensively, he has played mostly shortstop and second base, and MLB Pipeline notes he compensates for average arm strength with a quick release.
What This Means for Iowa Fans
For Iowa Cubs fans, Bateman's departure is a loss. He was a fan favorite at Principal Park, known for his hustle and ability to get on base. The Cubs' Triple-A affiliate will now look to fill his spot in the outfield as the organization continues its push for a playoff berth.
The trade also underscores the Cubs' focus on adding veteran pitching for a postseason run. Gausman, a two-time All-Star, brings a 3.82 ERA this season and a track record of durability. He is set to become a free agent after the season.
Baseball Brothers
Southisene comes from a baseball family. His twin brother, Tee, pitches at the College of Southern Nevada. His younger brother, Tate, is a top prospect in the Atlanta Braves system, selected in the first round of the 2025 draft. The youngest brother, Troy, is committed to Oregon State.
Bateman's father, Keith, was the head baseball coach at Augsburg University in Minneapolis for two decades before recently moving into an athletic administration role at Concordia College-Moorhead.
Looking Ahead
Both Bateman and Southisene are expected to report to the Blue Jays' minor-league system. Bateman will likely head to Triple-A Buffalo, while Southisene could continue developing at High-A or Double-A. For Iowa, the trade marks the end of a promising chapter for Bateman, who leaves with a .312 average and a reputation as a tough out.
The Blue Jays, meanwhile, hope these two prospects can contribute to their major-league roster down the road. For now, they add depth and speed to an organization that values contact and defense.