Baseball America released their list of the top 10 prospects and the players in the system with the best tools. The full list of the Cubs top 30 prospects will be unveiled when BA’s Prospect Handbook hits the stands next month.
Chris Archer, Brett Jackson and Trey McNutt were named the top three prospects in a system that “one pro scout who covered the Cubs opined that they had more future big leaguers than any other organization.” Jim Callis pointed out in his online report that “life was better down on the farm than it was at Wrigley Field” last season. Iowa and Tennessee had the “best regular-season records in their leagues, and both Class A affiliates had winnings marks, with legitimate talent driving all of those victories.”
Baseball America’s Top 10 Cubs Prospects for 2011
1. Chris Archer, RHP (15)
2. Brett Jackson, OF (2)
3. Trey McNutt, RHP (16)
4. Hak-Ju Lee, SS (6)
5. Josh Vitters, 3B (3)
6. Chris Carpenter, RHP (8)
7. Matt Szczur, OF(NR)
8. Hayden Simpson, RHP (NR)
9. Rafael Dolis, RHP (13)
10. Brandon Guyer, OF (NR)
(2010 BA Ranking in Parenthesis)
Best Tools in the Cubs System
D.J. LeMahieu – Best Hitter for Average
Brett Jackson – Best Power Hitter
Matt Cerda – Best Strike-Zone Discipline
Matt Szczur – Fastest Baserunner
Matt Szczur – Best Athlete
Chris Archer – Best Fastball
Trey McNutt – Best Curveball
Chris Archer – Best Slider
Chris Rusin – Best Changeup
Chris Rusin – Best Control
Robinson Chirinos – Best Defensive Catcher
Darwin Barney – Best Defensive Infielder
Junior Lake – Best Infield Arm
Brandon Guyer – Best Defensive Outfielder
Kyler Burke – Best Outfield Arm
Jim Callis brought up the successful debuts Starlin Castro, Andrew Cashner, Tyler Colvin, Casey Coleman and Scott Maine put together last season. And Callis mentioned Castro “became just the third shortstop age 20 or younger to hit .300 while qualifying for the batting title.” Castro joined a short list that includes Hall of Famer Arky Vaughn and Alex Rodriguez.
Here is a look back at three other Cubs’ prospect list … Baseball Prospectus, Minor League Ball and the CCO.
Baseball Prospectus Top 20 Cubs Prospects
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
Link to full report on Baseball Prospectus Top 20 Cubs Prospects
Minor League Ball’s Top Cubs Prospects
1. Brett Jackson, OF – B+
2. Trey McNutt, RHP – B+
3. Chris Archer, RHP – B+
4. Hak-Ju Lee, SS – B
5. Chris Carpenter, RHP – B
6. Jay Jackson, RHP – B
7. Hayden Simpson, RHP – B
8. Brandon Guyer, OF – B-
9. Reggie Golden, OF – B-
10. Josh Vitters, 3B – C+
11. Robinson Lopez, RHP – C+
12. Austin Reed, RHP – C+
13. Alberto Cabrera, RHP – C+
14. Marquez Smith, 3B/2B – C+
15. Robinson Chirinos, C – C+
16. D.J. LeMahieu, INF – C+
17. Rafael Dolis, RHP – C+
18. Brett Wallach, RHP – C+
19. Brooks Raley, LHP – C+
20. Su-Min Jung, RHP – C+
21. Austin Kirk, LHP – C+
22. Jin-Yeong Kim, RHP – C+
Link to full report on Minor League Ball’s Top Cubs Prospects
The CCO’s Top 15 Cubs Prospects
1. Brett Jackson, OF
2. Chris Archer, RHP
3. Hak-Ju Lee, SS
4. Trey McNutt, RHP
5. Brandon Guyer, OF
6. Jay Jackson, RHP
7. Josh Vitters, 3B/1B
8. D.J. LeMahieu, IF
9. Chris Carpenter, RHP
10. Jae-Hoon Ha, OF
11. Reggie Golden, OF
12. Ryan Flaherty, IF/OF
13. Rafael Dolis, RHP
14. Justin Bour, 1B
15. Junior Lake, SS
Link to full report on the CCO’s Top 15 Cubs Prospects
The future is looking bright …
Coming Soon: A Look Back at Baseball America’s Top Cubs Prospects