Baseball Prospectus recently published their list of the top prospects in the Cubs system. Kevin Goldstein said the Cubs system doesn’t really have any impact talent but has a lot of depth. According to Goldstein, “While the Cubs’ system is a deep one that will produce plenty of big league talents, the team still needs to look outside of the organization for the kind of impact talent to turn their fortunes around.”
No doubt the Cubs system has improved over the past two years, but many agree with Kevin Goldstein, that the Cubs lack prospects that can be projected as superstars … but isn’t that why they play the game?
To no surprise Brett Jackson leads the list, but Chris Archer is third with Josh Vitters falling to fourth … Baseball Prospectus did not rank any of the Cubs players as a “Five-Star Prospect” … but do not have any below the Three-Star level. Here is how the Cubs’ system lines up, plus the Cubs top talents 25 and under:
Four-Star Prospects
1. Brett Jackson, OF
2. Trey McNutt, RHP
3. Chris Archer, RHP
Three-Star Prospects
4. Josh Vitters, 3B
5. Hak-Ju Lee, SS
6. Chris Carpenter, RHP
7. Hayden Simpson, RHP
8. Reggie Golden, OF
9. Jay Jackson, RHP
10. Robinson Lopez, RHP
11. Brandon Guyer, OF
Nine More
12. Robinson Chirinos, C
13. Marquez Smith, 3B
14. Welington Castillo, C
15. Rafael Dolis, RHP
16. Ben Wells, RHP
17. Brett Wallach, RHP
18. Darwin Barney, IF
19. Austin Reed, RHP
20. Alberto Cabrera, RHP
The Sleeper – Tony Thomas, 2B
Top Talents in the Cubs’ System 25 and Under
(Born 4/1/85 or later)
1. Starlin Castro
2. Andrew Cashner
3. Brett Jackson
4. Trey McNutt
5. Chris Archer
6. Tyler Colvin
7. Josh Vitters
8. Hak-Ju Lee
9. Blake DeWitt
10. Chris Carpenter
With a majority of Goldstein’s rundown being by subscription only, here are a few of the highlights.
Brett Jackson
Perfect World Projection – Jackson could be an everyday outfielder with above-average (but not star level) power and speed.
Path to the Big Leagues – Jackson handled Double-A just fine last year and will get an opportunity to move up to Triple-A Iowa with a strong spring. He should have a big league job secured by the following season.
ETA – Late 2011
Trey McNutt
Perfect World Projection – McNutt could be an above-average rotation piece.
Path to the Big Leagues – After plowing through three levels in 2010, McNutt will slow down a bit by beginning of 2011 with a return to Double-A Tennessee
ETA – 2012
Chris Archer
Perfect World Projection – Archer could be a good third starter with better stuff than results, or a late-inning reliever.
Path to the Big Leagues – Archer is ready for Triple-A and could be one of the Cubs’ first pitching call-ups during the year.
ETA – Late 2011
Josh Vitters
Perfect World Projection – Vitters could be an everyday third baseman who still has an outside shot at stardom.
Path to the Big Leagues – Vitters has a track record of improving during his second crack at a level and he’ll likely begin 2011 back in Tennessee. There are scenarios where he tops this list next year and those that have him falling completely off of it.
ETA – 2012
Hak-Ju Lee
Perfect World Projection – Lee could be an everyday shortstop with good defense and enough bat to hit toward the top of the order
Path to the Big Leagues – Lee made excellent strides in 2010 but he’s still one-level-at-a-time-talent. Lee will spend most, if not all, of 2011 at High-A Daytona.
ETA – Late 2013
The CCO’s Top 15 Cubs Prospects
The future is looking bright …