Cubs Down on the Farm Report – Ronald Torreyes Wins Fan Poll

March 24, 2012 By 42 Comments

The results of this year’s minor league fan poll are now in. The seventy players nominated surpassed last year’s poll by twenty-five, with one caveat. A vote for yet unsigned outfielder Jorge Soler was counted, just in case the Cubs did sign him prior to the beginning of the season. At this time, it appears that will not happen. With 236 votes cast, it easily outdistanced last season’s total of 126. In the end, second baseman Ronald Torreyes edged out 2011 First Round draft pick Javier Baez by one vote.

Here are the ten players I will track the progress of throughout the entire 2012 season … The top ten vote-getters are:

  1. Ronald Torreyes, 2B – 13
  2. Javier Baez, IF – 12
  3. Matt Szczur, OF – 11
  4. Dan Vogelbach, 1B – 11
  5. Reggie Golden, OF – 10
  6. Dillon Maples, RHP – 10
  7. Josh Vitters, 3B/1B – 10
  8. Jeimer Candelario, IF – 9
  9. Zeke DeVoss, 2B /OF – 9
  10. Junior Lake, IF – 9

The breakdown of the players nominated was: 20 infielders, 20 right-handed pitchers, 13 outfielders, seven left-handed pitchers, seven multi-position players, and three catchers.

Here is a list of the nominees and the number of votes received, in descending order:

  1. Ronald Torreyes, 2B – 13
  2. Javier Baez, IF – 12
  3. Matt Szczur, OF – 11
  4. Dan Vogelbach, 1B – 11
  5. Reggie Golden, OF – 10
  6. Dillon Maples, RHP – 10
  7. Josh Vitters, 3B/1B – 10
  8. Jeimer Candelario, IF – 9
  9. Zeke DeVoss, 2B /OF – 9
  10. Junior Lake, IF – 9
  11. Robert Whitenack, RHP – 7
  12. Tony Zych, RHP – 7
  13. Trey McNutt. RHP – 6
  14. Zach Cates, RHP – 5
  15. Dae-Eun Rhee, RHP – 5
  16. Anthony Rizzo, 1B – 5
  17. Gioskar Amaya, IF – 4
  18. Shawon Dunston Jr., OF – 4
  19. Jae-Hoon Ha, OF – 4
  20. Ben Klafczynski, OF – 4
  21. Rebel Ridling, 1B – 4
  22. Hayden Simpson, RHP – 4
  23. Jeffry Antigua, LHP – 3
  24. Jeff Beliveau, LHP – 3
  25. Paul Hoilman, 1B – 3
  26. Brett Jackson, OF – 3
  27. Richard Jones, 1B – 3
  28. Aaron Kurcz, RHP – 3
  29. Ben Wells, RHP – 3
  30. Dallas Beeler, RHP – 2
  31. Justin Bour, 1B – 2 AA
  32. Wellington Castillo, C – 2
  33. Rafael Dolis, RHP – 2
  34. Dustin Geiger, 3B – 2
  35. Trevor Gretzky, 1B/OF – 2
  36. Marco Hernandez, IF – 2
  37. Austin Kirk, LHP – 2
  38. Mark Malave, 3B/1B/C – 2
  39. Greg Rohan, 3B/1B/OF – 2
  40. Chris Rusin, LHP – 2
  41. Rock Shoulders, 3B/1B/C – 2
  42. Tayler Scott, RHP – 2
  43. Elliot Soto, IF – 2
  44. Logan Watkins, 2B – 2
  45. Abner Abreu, OF – 1
  46. Arismendy Alcantara, IF – 1
  47. John Andreoli, OF – 1
  48. Kyler Burke, LHP – 1
  49. Matt Cerda, 3B/2B – 1
  50. Steve Clevenger, C – 1
  51. Casey Coleman, RHP – 1
  52. Wilson Contreras, 3B/C – 1
  53. Evan Crawford, OF – 1
  54. Willengton Cruz, LHP – 1
  55. Taiwan Easterling, OF – 1
  56. Anthony Giansanti, 3B/OF/C – 1
  57. Micah Gibbs, C – 1
  58. Jay Jackson, RHP -1
  59. Michael Jensen, RHP – 1
  60. Eric Jokisch, LHP – 1
  61. Pierre LePage, 2B – 1
  62. Luis Liria, RHP – 1
  63. Carlos Penalver, IF – 1
  64. Garrett Schlecht, OF – 1
  65. Ryan Searle, RHP – 1
  66. Jorge Soler, OF – 1
  67. Larry Suarez, RHP – 1
  68. Austin Urban, RHP – 1
  69. Casey Weathers, RHP – 1
  70. Oliver Zapata, OF – 1

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  • Guest

    Both Caseys’ moms must have voted

    • Tony_Hall

      I was thinking the same thing!

  • Tony_Hall

    Hopefully, if nothing else, people can feel good about the future of this team.  Looking at this list of players, and from reading Tom’s reports over the winter, you can see depth at many positions in the minors.  It’s not a situation where there is one guy who is going to come through the system and if he fails, there is no one else.  There is going to be true competition going on over the next few years, to keep moving up and end up playing at Clark and Addison.

  • Tony_Hall

    Reading over the posts the last few days, I just can’t believe that the majority of Cub fans are so excited about a new beginning, a new front office, a new manager, a new coaching staff, new players, the exit of some of the old players, the future exit of some more old players over this season, the prospect list above and the pure excitement of a new season, and yet a small percentage of Cub fans, just can’t pull themselves out of their lifelong love/hate relationship with the Cubs.  

    I understood and piled on as well as 90+% of us wanted JH gone.  His moves were that of a guy trying to hold on as long as possible with what he built.  But today, we have a new almost everything and yet some just want to continue to tear apart everything about the Cubs.

    I just don’t get it.

    Why not be excited about this team?

    Whether you wanted Theo and company is totally besides the point.  He is not Jim Hendry, no matter how many times people want to call a move a JH move, they aren’t even close.  JH bought players that had 1 career year, and overpaid for that 1 year on top of it, with a NTC.  That hasn’t happened this year.  We can discuss the few FA pick-ups and their deals and can dissect them and say they overpaid, but they didn’t sign that 1 year wonder and do it.  

    The young players that are here already and the others that are coming soon is another reason to be excited.  Now some don’t understand why almost all teams send players to the minors to play for April and most of May to save money.  But it is not just money.  It is one more year of control.  And they do know they can sign them to a contract as well (and I hope they do Castro right now), but the extra year gives the team more leverage to get the deal done.   Now I don’t want to see Marlon Byrd play anymore either, but he is more than capable of playing CF for a major league team.  If they would have put Campana out there for the first 2 months, now that would be a cheap move.  

    Dale Sveum!  Enough said.  I will wait to see game management, before getting too excited about this hire, but he has run one impressive ST camp.  It has gotten notice around the league.  If his game management skills are as good as the rest, we have a front row seat to watch one of baseballs next great managers.

    No Koyie Hill.  That in itself is cause for celebration.  But Castillo and Clevenger look more than capable of playing C in the majors.  C’Mon Soto have a good 1st half, raise that return of more young prospects for Tom to have to follow.

    And if you need can’t be excited about anything (we all know a few of those don’t we), then at least look at the 10 players that Tom will be following.  There are some major league players on that list, plus some more on the full list.

    There are many more reasons to be positive about the future of the Cubs.  All in all, the glass is half full, the Cubbie goggles and Cubbie Kool-Aide is fully stocked and I can’t wait for the start of the season.  We are going to have our ups and downs, this year, but I, as many Cub fans, are excited about watching the Cubs this year.

    • RMercer

      Very well said, couldn’t have said it better. Thx

    • Gramps

       Agree with you 100% Tony! GO CUBS!

    • brent carmona

      I salute you sir, great post.

    • SuzyS

       Well said Tony.  Personally, I’m excited about the direction.
      Just think…Ed Lynch is off the payroll…JH is on a par with Pinella and Popeye with the Yankees. And we FINALLY are
      about to work out of JH’s NO TRADE/Long-term contracts.
      (Soriano’s excepted).
      The water jugs in the dugout feel safer and are reportedly much relieved by the new direction as well. (Time will tell).

      As I said earlier, last year my prediction was 67 wins…with NO HOPE.  This year, we might make 71 wins…but it will still be like a breath of fresh air…mistakes and all…because there is MUCH HOPE.

      So, with the ghosts of yore, (Tinkers to Evers to Chance) beginning to stir in the merry month of march…I look forward to a new season with great anticipation…for the first time in many a year!!!
      Go Cubs!!!

    • cubtex

      I will be excited…….when there is something to be excited about! Who are these young players that are already here that you speak of???? Castro? He was here last year.Who else? I am excited to see BJax and Rizzo get their shot this year but until then……the product stinks! You are full of Kool Aid and I wish I could have whatever you are drinking rub off on me….but they will be bad this year……and that is the truth. Many people including me think that Theo came in with this overhyped disposition and so far…..like I have been telling everyone are less than inspiring! The Sean Marshall trade didn’t really get back any slam dunks and can’t miss prospects. Ian Stewart could bounce back but he also could continue to have injury issues and struggle. David DeJesus?? Please! As I have said earlier….we have BJax and Rizzo to look forward to…..unti then it will be painful again to watch this team. Darwin Barney still cannot turn a double play, LaHair is a AAAA player who will struggle….and other than Castro…..the best hitter on this team is Soriano who you and many others are saying should be given away for nothing. These are my views from a Cub who is being objective and realistic to what has been done this offseason and who will be on the field to start the year!

      • paulcatanese

        You’re post is not what a lot of people would call inspiring, but it is the truth.
        Some of the bright spots this spring has been the offense at different times, but then they won’t be around for the year.
        LaHair has struggled, and to add what you have said earlier, his glove leaves a lot to be desired. Some of the throws (Barney’s) could have been handled as well as a few more (Castro’s). That will hurt.
        Pitching will definatly be on the downside, I do not think it will offset any defense or lack of hitting.
        I do think they have a good one in Sveum, then again he has to play the hand he is dealt. While I think there is no comparison with Q or Pinnela and he will do a much better job than either of them, it can not compensate for the lack of talent.
        Overall they will improve, but as you say, and I agree, not this year and maybe not the next in my opinion.
        They will be interesting to watch because of the new face’s but I am not holding my breath for what would take a miracle.
        I am warry of Theo and Hoyer and will look for results
        when they start bringing in people that dont need a complete turnaround to succeed.

        • cubtex

          I am happy they have a plan and are rebuilding……but as I have said, I will praise the front office moves when there is something to praise. I do not for the life of me see anything special that Theo has done yet….and hopefully that key word is yet. I hope I see some positive moves throughout the year.

      • Double_p_21

        Idk what people expected to get for marshall, hes a set up guy, we got market value

        • calibri

          Hindsight of course but with Wood struggling, makes you wonder if it might have better to give Marshall another shot at starting.

          • Tony_Hall

            Marshall was not a very good starter, and he was traded for 3 players, not just 1.  

          • calibri

            Understood on the 3 for 1 trade, was commenting on having a lefty starter rather than the overall trade.  Marshall wasn’t a very good starter but that was his 1st 2 years, he’s been a more efficient pitcher the last 2 years, not that it would necessarily translate to being a better starter.  Just makes me wonder anyway.  And now due to injury it looks like he’s going to be a closer.

      • http://theboardridersuite.wordpress.com/ Theboardrider

        They will be bad this year.  Very true.  But that is really beyond Theo’s control without mortgaging the future.  I think this will be a year of evaluation and that by September they will be much improved and we’ll have a better idea of the future.  In 3-4 years we will have a year in contender and most likely a long awaited title.  They’ve already stocked some promising guys and with proper coaching and “the Cubs way,” I believe many of them will exceed expectations.  

        To me Theo is pushing all the right buttons.  A major overhaul is underway and their is reason to be excited.  Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will be the new Cubs.  I can’t wait to see this year’s draft.  If Theo swings and misses then I could see reason for despair.  I’m withholding my judgments until at least the next draft.  Everything until then is just trying to do the best they can with what they have.  

        It’s a breath of fresh air in Chicago.  New ideas and practices.  It can’t be 100% different in the first 5 months.  They still have to do what they can to be somewhat competitive and that’s why guys like Stewart and Dejesus have been brought in.  I like that there not just going to sit back and let the team lose 110 games.  Don’t mortgage the future and be as competitive as possible today. That seems to be the goal of the first year and these past 5 months.  It’s like everyone thought that Theo would come in and start making magic happen overnight.  Nobody has the Midas touch.  

        Overall I’ve seen a ton of savvy in the new regime.  Sveum alone demonstrates that.  The future is bright, the now will be interesting.  That’s all that I can ask for…

      • Tony_Hall

        Oh – the glass is always half empty in Texas.

        You didn’t want Theo, and you haven’t liked anything he has done and I doubt you ever will.

        As far as players already on the Cubs, I am excited to see Clevenger or Castillo play this year, and hopefully both once Soto is traded.  I am excited to see Castro in Year 3, which is a big year in a players development.  I am excited to see if Barney can be more the Barney of the beginning of last year, with his added muscle.  I am excited that Lahair is being given an opportunity.  As far as the pitchers, I am excited to watch Samardzija start games again, and to see our teams center pitch every 5th day (no 6 man rotations likely), and I am excited to see Maholm pitch as well. The bullpen bring Dolis, who has a big fastball and has impressed the coaches, and the rest we will have to wait and see who makes it.

        The rotation will be better this year, than what we sent to the mound last year, as it was really bad last year, after losing Cashner and Wells at the beginning of April.  

        Soon we will see BJAX and Rizzo in our lineup everyday and, that my friend, is something to be excited about.  If you need a list of more players for the future, just look above at the list of players that people wanted to have followed, it is quite lenghty.

        All in all, call your view as being realistic if you like, I view this team to win around 70 to maybe 75 games, and I bet you are about the same.  So, what is different is I have given the new regime a clean slate and am waiting to make critical comments, until we see how the team plays on a daily basis, and how the season goes.  I just don’t understand why you wouldn’t do the same, and give these guys a chance to do something, with the bad hand they have been inherited.  I have no doubt this team will be better moving forward.  

        And for all your IF’s, the thing about IF’s is they have another side, it’s a positive side, and you could look at that side as well.

        • cubtex

          Castro was here before, Barney was here before,LaHair is Hoffpauir part deux, Maholm was somebody Hendry could have easily signed, Clevenger is a backup catcher….and if you are even mentioning him……..think about it. The pitching staff will be below average. Cmon Tony….be realistic. Our entire argument about the Garza trade you have been quite vocal calling him a #3. And if Dempster is our #1…what does that say. You were saying how bad Samardjija was. Do you want me to check the archives. I believe Aaron and myself were the only ones talking positively about him 1 year ago. Your cheering for every move regardless of what has been made is obnoxious. You are excited if they win 70 games???? Go Cubbies! I am sure Ricketts wishes all fans were like you.

          • Tony_Hall

            So I guess you were expecting them to trade for all new players in one offseason.  

            Did you see who we kept trotting out there last year to start games?  Compared to who actually started games last year, we will have a better starter going out there this year.  Dempster/Garza are a wash.  Samardzija, Volstad, and Maholm will be better than Zambrano/Wells/Coleman/Lopez/Davis.Russell were in their starts.

            Dempster is not a #1 and if you are going to be accurate, I have called Garza a #2/#3.

            Maybe you missed it, but Samardzija has looked much better last year and even better this spring so far.  Players do improve.

            Many of the moves they have made won’t work out, but that doesn’t mean I need to bad mouth every move, when they haven’t even played 1 regular season game yet.  

            What is obnoxious is how a smaller percentage of fans, dominate the posting and do so in such an all out negative assault on all things Cubs, just because, it is easier to complain about things then it is to start the year with a clean slate and gives these guys some time to make the changes to the organization.

            I am excited about the future and watching players develop.  I think they will win around 70 games, and don’t have unrealistic expectations of more. 

            And I am sure they would love to have more fans like me than you and the others that are negative about everything, just because that seems to be the only they know how to be Cubs fans.

          • cubtex

            Do you remember how negative u were last spring? How Garza is a fly ball pitcher and he will get lit up after the all star break when it warms up? How stupid JH was for not looking at that stat. What is Maholm? What…no reference because Theo signed him and not JH. You were also disappointed that veterans were on bench instead of young players…but now you aren’t because Theo is in charge. I am just saying……

          • Tony_Hall

            We didn’t give up 5 prospects for Maholm.  

            Big difference.
            I like R Johnson, but don’t think he will finish the year with the Cubs, as Sappelt and Mather would be better fits.

            We won’t have vet on the bench at C with Clevenenger most likely the back-up.

            The infielders – Baker and Dewitt are both arb players, not exactly long in the tooth.  But I will believe both only when I see it on Opening Day, as I believe one will be traded.  Amezaga or Cardenas or both would be better fits IMO.  

            So not sure what aging vets are filling that bench you talk about.  If it’s just R Johnson, he plays the game the right way.  But I would still go with others than him, but his contract will keep him around until the trade deadline.

          • Tony_Hall

            So I guess you were expecting them to trade for all new players in one offseason.  

            Did you see who we kept trotting out there last year to start games?  Compared to who actually started games last year, we will have a better starter going out there this year.  Dempster/Garza are a wash.  Samardzija, Volstad, and Maholm will be better than Zambrano/Wells/Coleman/Lopez/Davis.Russell were in their starts.

            Dempster is not a #1 and if you are going to be accurate, I have called Garza a #2/#3.

            Maybe you missed it, but Samardzija has looked much better last year and even better this spring so far.  Players do improve.

            Many of the moves they have made won’t work out, but that doesn’t mean I need to bad mouth every move, when they haven’t even played 1 regular season game yet.  

            What is obnoxious is how a smaller percentage of fans, dominate the posting and do so in such an all out negative assault on all things Cubs, just because, it is easier to complain about things then it is to start the year with a clean slate and gives these guys some time to make the changes to the organization.

            I am excited about the future and watching players develop.  I think they will win around 70 games, and don’t have unrealistic expectations of more. 

            And I am sure they would love to have more fans like me than you and the others that are negative about everything, just because that seems to be the only they know how to be Cubs fans.

          • John_CC

             You have beaten that horse to a bloody pulp!  Leave it man!  Your arguments are always the same and you aren’t changing any opinions.

            Tony laid out a really good reason, point by point, why he is excited about the future and all you can do is say Castro was here already…LaHair is a bum…blah blah blah…that isn’t even a rebuttal. 

            And you know damn well that Garza is the #1 pitcher on the staff…the ONLY thing maybe that you and I agree on is that Garza is by far the best pitcher on this staff and was worth the trade that brought him here.  Just because Demp gets opening day doesn’t mean anything.

            You are hopelessly frustrating.

          • cubtex

            Thank you Jony. Part Tony….Part John

          • Tony_Hall

            You want a pet name

            Riptex1967

        • cubtex

          And you are wrong about never liking anything Theo will do or ever do. I like aquiring Rizzo even though I like Cashner alot. You have to give up something to get something. Again…..Team Theo hasn’t done anything special yet! What has he done that is eye opening this offseason? Again….be objective!

          • Tony_Hall

            What special things were you expecting to happen this off-season?

            Teams are build, making little moves every day.  The flashy and “special” moves, make the headlines, but how often do they actually work.

          • Tony_Hall

            Is objectivity being critical 90% of the time?

            The most eye opening, “special” thing that was done was taking the smallest front office and making it one of the bigger front offices, with computers and all.  Give these guys a year or so.  You, me and many others kept saying that JH was burying this team for many years, yet you expect Theo and Co. to fix it in 4 months.  Maybe you do think Theo is one of the best.

    • http://theboardridersuite.wordpress.com/ Theboardrider

      Agree with you 110%

    • Henry

      Tony, I am so excited I am going out to Mesa!  I will be at the game on Monday in sec 200 row HH seat 10 and 11 and Wednesday in sec 102 row K seat 6 and 7.  Anyone who might also be in attendance please stop by and say hello!

      tom, I love you minor league updates!  Interesting how Brett Jackson wound up 26th on the list!

      • Tony_Hall

        I am envious of you!  Enjoy your time in Mesa, and if you get a chance give us a report on what you see.

  • Jay from sandwich

    I think we are missing a couple of pitchers on this list

    • http://chicagocubsonline.com/ Neil

      This is how the readers voted, not a prospect list.

  • Texcubnut

    There are 2 reasons that I come to this site and why it is the best. First and foremost, it is the wonderfully written articles by Neil, Tom and Brian. ( I cannot praise and thank them enough for they have enriched and enhanced my pure love for the Chicago Cubs.) The second reason is for the debate; the back and forth; the differing viewpoints; the reasoned argument; the positive AND the negative. As long as it is civil, then it should be heard. Like Paul Catanese said the other day, in the end it is all just OPINIONS and every single one should be allowed sans the obsceneties and name-calling. I, for one, am looking forward to 2012 and cannot wait for Jim C. to tell us……NATION REPRESENT!!  CUBS WIN!! CUBS WIN!!

    • http://chicagocubsonline.com/ Neil

      Thank you.

    • Tom U

      Thanks, Texcubnut.

      • Anthony

        Still scratching my head over this one:

        ”
        In the Captains’ fourth, the Chiefs avoided another run. A spectacular throw from Chiefs right fielder #20 on Tom U list cut down speedy Carlos Moncrief at the plate to end the inning.”

        Considering how well his ST was going, regardless of draft status, a full season should have been granted the kid.

  • Anthony

    Tom U, find out what happened a week ago.

    2006 Baseball America #99 Nationally in high school
    2006 USA Baseball Tournament of Stars, 1 of 144 top players
    2007 ABCA/NHSBCA Top 3 high school outfielders with 2 current major leaguers.(Heyward and Revere) in the Nation
    2008 Baseball America D1 Freshman AA
    2008 Rivals D1 Freshman AA
    2008 Louisville Slugger Freshman AA
    College line .350/.429/.584/1.013

    2009 CCBL Champion
    2010 NECBL All-Star and HR Derby Champ

    We all saw the videos on YTube, crazy athletics, nice hitting approach, and a RF gun.

    Forget the Draft status. Then to add to the mix, reports of a great ST in 2012, and then whacked.

    The only thing has to be more signings, like Cirque De Soler.

    By the way, there is an injured OF that happened 2 weeks ago who may miss the entire season. I made an inquiry to AZPhil also.

    I want to know what the heck happened. This is very unusual, where a solid player gets vaulted without an opportunity of a full season, regardless of prospect status, and was reported to have been exceptional during the time spent in Mesa.

    This is very odd

    • Tony_Hall

      Maybe he said something he shouldn’t have to the wrong person.

      Maybe he did something he shouldn’t have.

      Honestly who cares.  If he is so great and has been auditioning for all 30 teams, he will be picked up and moving up that organizations ranks in no time.

  • Crosby5374

    hahaha tony zych

  • Rjscanio

    leaving off Anthony Rizzo makes your list incorrect.