Triple-A · International League · Des Moines, Iowa, US · Principal Park
Iowa Cubs
The Chicago Cubs' Triple-A affiliate since 1981, the Iowa Cubs have served as the final proving ground for some of the most celebrated players in Cubs history, from Kerry Wood and Mark Prior to the core of the 2016 World Series championship team.
1982–1991
The Early Years
Triple-A baseball comes to Des Moines
The Iowa Cubs came into existence in 1982 when the franchise relocated from Springfield, Illinois, to Des Moines, bringing Triple-A baseball to the Iowa capital for the first time. The team played at Sec Taylor Stadium, an aging facility that nonetheless became the backdrop for the early development of the Cubs' affiliation with Iowa.
The 1980s saw the Iowa Cubs establish themselves as a fixture of the Des Moines community. The team drew strong crowds despite the limitations of Sec Taylor Stadium, and the pipeline to Wrigley Field began to produce notable graduates. Players like Rafael Palmeiro, Greg Maddux, and Mark Grace all passed through Des Moines during this era, giving Iowa fans a preview of the talent that would shape the Cubs' major league roster.
By the late 1980s, it was clear that the franchise needed a modern facility to match the quality of its on-field product. Community leaders and team officials began planning for a new downtown ballpark that would anchor the riverfront district and give the Iowa Cubs a home worthy of their growing fanbase.
Key Facts
- Franchise relocated from Springfield, IL to Des Moines in 1982
- Played at Sec Taylor Stadium for first decade
- Rafael Palmeiro, Greg Maddux, and Mark Grace developed here
- Plans for new downtown ballpark began in the late 1980s
1992–2014
The Principal Park Era
A new home and a parade of future stars
The opening of Principal Park in 1992 transformed the Iowa Cubs experience. Built along the banks of the Des Moines River at a cost of approximately $12 million, the 11,500-seat ballpark gave the franchise a modern, attractive home and became a catalyst for downtown redevelopment. The park's scenic riverside setting and proximity to the state capitol made it one of the most distinctive venues in Triple-A baseball.
Through the 1990s and 2000s, Principal Park hosted an impressive parade of future Cubs stars. Kerry Wood, whose 20-strikeout game in 1998 remains one of baseball's most legendary performances, developed his electric arm in Des Moines. Mark Prior, the golden boy of the early 2000s Cubs, pitched at Principal Park before his meteoric rise. Starlin Castro, who would become the Cubs' everyday shortstop, also came through the Iowa Cubs system.
The franchise experienced various ownership changes during this period, with Michael Gartner purchasing the team in 1999 and providing stable, community-minded leadership for over two decades. On the field, the Iowa Cubs were consistently competitive, serving as a reliable feeder system for Chicago's rebuilding efforts.
Key Facts
- Principal Park opened in 1992 along the Des Moines River
- Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, and Starlin Castro all developed here
- Michael Gartner purchased the team in 1999
- Ballpark became a catalyst for downtown Des Moines redevelopment
2015–Present
Championship Pipeline
Developing World Series champions
The mid-2010s marked the Iowa Cubs' finest chapter as a player development franchise. Under Marty Pevey's management, Principal Park became the final proving ground for the core of the Chicago Cubs' historic 2016 World Series championship team — the one that broke a 108-year championship drought. Kris Bryant, the 2015 NL Rookie of the Year and 2016 NL MVP, refined his swing in Des Moines. Kyle Schwarber, whose power bat would become a postseason legend, passed through Iowa on his rapid ascent. Addison Russell, Javier Baez, and other key contributors all wore Iowa Cubs uniforms before starring on the biggest stage in baseball.
The Iowa Cubs themselves reached the postseason in 2015 and 2016, capturing the PCL American Northern Division title in 2016. The on-field success and the reflected glory of the parent club's World Series triumph generated enormous enthusiasm in Des Moines.
In 2021, Diamond Baseball Holdings acquired the franchise from Michael Gartner, ushering in a new era of corporate ownership. Pevey has remained a constant throughout, becoming the winningest manager in franchise history. The 2025 season saw the I-Cubs finish 74-75, with Pevey returning for 2026 alongside a refreshed coaching staff that includes bench coach Nick Lovullo and hitting coach Taylor Fortney.
Key Facts
- Developed the core of Chicago's 2016 World Series championship team
- Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, and Javier Baez all came through Des Moines
- Marty Pevey became the winningest manager in franchise history
- Diamond Baseball Holdings acquired the team in 2021