Keith Law posted an update Tuesday to his ranking of the top 25 prospects in the game. With the promotions of several of the best players to the majors including Kris Bryant and Addison Russell, Law felt it was the right time to release a new list.
Kyle Schwarber is the top prospect in the Cubs’ system with Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Jorge Soler everyday regulars at the big league level. And Schwarber moved up to No. 15 on Law’s list, a 75-spot improvement from where Law ranked him in January.
Keith Law’s new top 10: SS Carlos Correa (Astros), SS Corey Seager (Dodgers), OF Byron Buxton (Twins), SS J.P. Crawford (Phillies), SS Francisco Lindor (Indians), RHP Lucas Giolito (Nationals), LHP Julio Urias (Dodgers), 3B Joey Gallo (Rangers), RHP Tyler Glasnow (Pirates) and 3B Miguel Sano (Twins).
Like most outside of the Cubs’ organization, Keith Law does not think Kyle Schwarber’s future is behind the plate. Law thinks Schwarber might be the Cubs best solution for left field this season. Law pointed out that Schwarber’s “pro career to date is very similar to Kris Bryant’s first 12 months in pro ball” but he is “not a good receiver.”
Schwarber is mashing the baseball at the Double-A level. And is putting up very similar numbers as the ones Kris Bryant made headlines with last season.
In 41 games for Double-A Tennessee, Kyle Schwarber is hitting .305/.440/.595 with six doubles, a triple, 10 home runs and a 1.053 OPS. Schwarber has walked (33) almost as many times as he has struck out (37) in what is his first full year of pro ball. Schwarber has slowed down over the last 10 games and has only a .253/.417/.507 slash line in his last 24 games.
The Cubs are committed to Kyle Schwarber catching. He is working hard on his defense and making strides according to Jason McLeod, Jed Hoyer, Jaron Madison and Joe Maddon. Schwarber has been in the news of late after Maddon did not rule out Schwarber possibly being called up in September to help the big league team.
Jason McLeod fielded questions about Schwarber Tuesday. McLeod said he would be considered for September “if the big league team needs a bat.”
The Cubs prospect rankings will look a lot different this fall, especially if Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer use some of the prospect currency to acquire players before the deadline to help the Major League team.
C Kyle Schwarber, OF Billy McKinney, OF Albert Almora, SS Gleyber Torres, OF Eloy Jimenez, OF Kevonte Mitchell and 1B Dan Vogelbach are among the top position player prospects currently in the Cubs’ organization.
And the front office will soon add more talent to one of the best systems in the game through the First-Year Player Draft and International signings.