MLB Pipeline posted an update to its ranking of the Top 30 prospects in the Cubs system.
Jorge Soler graduated from the prospect list, the first of what should be three players to come off MLB Pipeline’s pre-season ranking. For now, Kris Bryant and Addison Russell are still ranked at the top of the Cubs system followed by RHP C.J. Edwards, C/OF Kyle Schwarber and OF Albert Almora.
INF Danny Lockhart was inserted into the list as the No. 30 prospect in the Cubs’ system.
The Cubs selected INF Danny Lockhart in the 10th round of the 2011 draft. Lockhart is the son of former big leaguer and current Cubs’ scout, Keith Lockhart. The 22-year old is 5-foot-11, 185 pounds and he spent a majority of his 2014 season with Low-A Kane County.
In 89 games with the Cougars, Lockhart batted .284/.348/.364 with 18 doubles and four doubles. Lockhart walked (33) almost has many times as he struck out (47) and finished the season with a .724 OPS between Kane County and Boise.
Reports have indicated Lockhart profiles to be a similar player to his father in the big leagues. Keith Lockhart had a good career, spending a majority of his 10 years with the Braves from 1997-2002. Keith put together a .261/.319/.385 line with 117 doubles, 17 triples, 44 home runs and a .704 OPS in 979 games.
Danny grinds out at bats, makes a lot of contact and plays the game the right way. In other words, it’s about the team for Lockhart. Lockhart’s baseball IQ makes his tools better than they actually are. Lockhart is a line drive hitter and scouts believe there is a good chance he will hit for more power. Lockhart fits as a second baseman, has enough arm for short and third base and is one of those players that helps push a contending team to the top of a division.
Lockhart is off to a good start with High-A Myrtle Beach (.333/.378/.455 with two doubles and one triple in 10 games) and should spend the season in the Carolina League. Lockhart is a one-level a year player and likely a couple of years from helping the Cubs at the big league level.
Cubs Top 30 Prospects for 2015
Final Ranking of 2014 in Parenthesis (NA – Not Available, NR – Not Ranked) – Pre-Season 2015 Ranking in Parenthesis
- Kris Bryant, 3B (1) (1)
- Addison Russell, SS (2) (2)
- C.J. Edwards, RHP (5) (4)
- Kyle Schwarber, C/OF (6) (5)
- Albert Almora, OF (3) (6)
- Gleyber Torres, SS (14) (7)
- Duane Underwood, RHP (19) (8)
- Billy McKinney, OF (7) (9)
- Pierce Johnson, RHP (8) (10)
- Jen-Ho Tseng, RHP (13) (11)
- Eloy Jimenez, OF (12) (12)
- Jake Stinnett, RHP (NR) (13)
- Carson Sands, LHP (18) (14)
- Jeimer Candelario, 3B (11) (15)
- Dan Vogelbach, 1B (9) (16)
- Justin Steele, LHP (NR) (17)
- Mark Zagunis, C/OF (NR) (18)
- Victor Caratini, C/3B (10) (19)
- Corey Black, RHP (16) (20)
- Dylan Cease, RHP (NR) (21)
- Jacob Hannemann, OF (NR) (22)
- Rob Zastryzny, LHP (NR) (23)
- Christian Villanueva, 3B (17) (24)
- Daury Torrez, RHP (NR) (25)
- Eric Jokisch, LHP (NR) (26)
- Paul Blackburn, RHP (15) (27)
- Kevonte Mitchell, OF (NR) (28)
- Trevor Clifton, RHP (NR) (29)
- Bijan Rademacher, OF (20) (30)
- Danny Lockhart, 2B/SS (NR) (NR)
Once Kris Bryant and Addison Russell are no longer eligible for MLB Pipeline’s list, Kyle Schwarber should be ranked as the top prospect in the system with C.J. Edwards being used as a reliever right now. It will be interesting to see how the ranking of the prospects in the system shakes out throughout the season.