Every year, Chicago Cubs Online puts together a top prospect watch of ten players based on the votes from you, the fans. The CCO conducted a preliminary poll starting the beginning of February. Votes were received on the website, on Facebook, and on Twitter. A run-off poll of the top 20 qualifiers started in March and concluded Monday.
The results of this year’s minor league fan poll are now in. With 429 votes, LHP Justin Steele repeated his primary poll victory, coming in ahead of C/OF Kyle Schwarber.
The final voting broke down this way:
- Justin Steele – 429
- Kyle Schwarber – 331
- Billy McKinney – 317
- C.J. Edwards – 312
- Albert Almora – 302
- Trevor Clifton – 299
- Dan Vogelbach – 265
- Gleyber Torres – 253
- Pierce Johnson – 252
- Duane Underwood – 235
- Carson Sands – 234
- Eloy Jimenez – 233
- Jake Stinnett – 188
- Jen-Ho Tseng – 158
- Corey Black – 137
- Dylan Cease – 127
- Victor Caratini – 117
- Rob Zastryzny – 114
- Mark Zagunis – 112
- Jacob Hannemann – 99
The Cubs selected Justin Steele in the fifth round of last year’s draft. And the southpaw should begin the season with the Eugene Emeralds, the Cubs’ new Short-Season affiliate.
Updates on the top 10 players will be included every Monday in the Down on the Farm Report. However, as in the past, when a player is not eligible for play, due to injury or his season not starting, he will be substituted. Currently, Justin Steele and Pierce Johnson are not eligible. They will be placed back in the feature when they are ready. The substitutes will be Jake Stinnett, and Jen-Ho Tseng to start the season.
Race to Wrigley
For the third straight year, I will be competing in the Race to Wrigley 5K run on April 25, 2014. If anyone is interested in making a donation or joining the CCO team, please visit Race to Wrigley – Chicago Cubs Online to register. All proceeds go to Chicago Cubs Charities and Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.