ESPN’s Keith Law concluded his week-long look at the best prospects in the game Friday with his top 10 lists for each of the National League teams. Keith Law, as has been the case with nearly every Cubs prospects list, ranked Javier Baez at the best young player in the Cubs’ system followed by Kris Bryant, Jorge Soler, Albert Almora and C.J. Edwards.
Keith Law began his review of the Cubs’ system by saying, “The Cubs’ collection of offensive prospects is extremely impressive, with three high-impact bats at the top of the system, followed by two guys who can contribute on both sides of the ball.”
On the pitching side, Law agrees that the system is “light on arms” and he pointed out only C.J. Edwards and Pierce Johnson “project as more than fifth starters, and neither looks like a potential ace of strong no. 2.”
Law likes the Cubs’ recent draft of Rob Zastryzny, Scott Fraizer, Tyler Skulina and Trey Masek and thinks Corey Black “is an interesting case.” Black is “built like a reliever” but throws two plus pitches and Law would like to see him start for a while before a possible move to the pen.
As for Arismendy Alcantara, he could replace Darwin Barney at second base at some point this season. And where Alcantara and Javier Baez end up playing in the big leagues could depend on how Starlin Castro is performing at the time.
The sleepers in the Cubs’ system going into the season according to Keith Law are Eloy Jimenez and Jeimer Candelario.
Keith Law’s Top 10 Cubs Prospects for 2014
2013 Ranking in Parenthesis – NR – Not Ranked, NA – Not Available
- Javier Baez, SS (1)
- Kris Bryant, 2B (NA)
- Jorge Soler, OF (3)
- Albert Almora, OF (2)
- C.J. Edwards, RHP (NA)
- Arismendy Alcantara, 2B (10)
- Pierce Johnson, RHP (8)
- Jeimer Candelario, 3B (5)
- Corey Black, RHP (NA)
- Arodys Vizcaino, RHP (4)
Keith Law’s partner on the ESPN Draft Blog, Chris Crawford, released his list of the top 14 Cubs prospects two weeks ago. Crawford thinks the Cubs’ top five consists of Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Jorge Soler, Albert Almora and C.J. Edwards. Crawford included Eloy Jimenez in his list and lefty Rob Zastryzny who is one of the young arms to keep an eye on during the upcoming season.
MLB Draft Insider’s Top 14 Cubs Prospects
- Javier Baez, SS
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Jorge Soler, OF
- Albert Almora, OF
- C.J. Edwards, RHP
- Arismendy Alcantara, 2B
- Pierce Johnson, RHP
- Arodys Vizcaino, RHP
- Jeimer Candelario, 3B
- Eloy Jimenez, OF
- Rob Zastryzny, LHP
- Dan Vogelbach, 1B
- Scott Frazier, RHP
- Neil Ramirez, RHP
Chris Crawford provided scouting grades on each player and possible ETA’s in his report.
Baseball America’s 2014 Prospect Handbook will provide an even deeper look at the Cubs’ system and the CCO will release our list of the top young Cubs during Spring Training. Here is a publication by publication breakdown of how the most respected names in the prospect game ranked the Cubs’ system prior to the 2014 season.
Baseball America
- Javier Baez, SS
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- C.J. Edwards, RHP
- Albert Almora, OF
- Jorge Soler, OF
- Pierce Johnson, RHP
- Arismendy Alcantara, 2B
- Jeimer Candelario, 3B
- Dan Vogelbach, 1B
- Arodys Vizcaino, RHP
Full Report: Baez and Bryant Top Baseball America’s List of Cubs Prospects for 2014
Baseball Prospectus
- Javier Baez, SS
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Albert Almora, OF
- Jorge Soler, OF
- C.J. Edwards, RHP
- Arismendy Alcantara, 2B
- Pierce Johnson, RHP
- Dan Vogelbach, 1B
- Christian Villanueva, 3B
- Jeimer Candelario, 3B
BP’s Cubs Prospects on the Rise
- Paul Blackburn, RHP
- Mark Malave, C
- Rob Zastryzny, LHP
Full Report: Baseball Prospectus Top 10 Cubs Prospects for 2014
Minor League Ball
- Javier Baez, SS
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Albert Almora, OF
- Jorge Soler, OF
- C.J. Edwards, RHP
- Arismendy Alcantara, 2B
- Pierce Johnson, RHP
- Jeimer Candelario, 3B
- Dan Vogelbach, 1B
- Christian Villanueva, 3B
- Arodys Vizcaino, RHP
- Mike Olt, 3B
- Neil Ramirez, RHP
- Matt Szczur, OF
- Josh Vitters, OF
- Kyle Hendricks, RHP
- Corey Black, RHP
- Rob Zastryzny, LHP
- Ivan Pineyro, RHP
- Paul Blackburn, RHP
- Kevin Encarnacion, OF
Full Report: Minor League Ball’s Top Cubs Prospects for 2014
FanGraphs
- Javier Baez, SS
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Albert Almora, OF
- Jorge Soler, OF
- Arismendy Alcantara, 2B
- Pierce Johnson, RHP
- C.J. Edwards, RHP
- Dan Vogelbach, 1B
- Arodys Vizcaino, RHP
- Kyle Hendricks, RHP
- Jeimer Candelario, 3B
- Christian Villanueva, 3B
- Duane Underwood, RHP
- Eloy Jimenez, OF
- Neil Ramirez, RHP
Full Report: FanGraphs Top 15 Cubs Prospects for 2014