09-25-2009, 05:20 PM
BTW, we need to wait a bit more before condemning our up and coming draft picks. Colvin did have a very promising year, but you're right in your sarcasm KB, that Colvin probably won't amount to much. He'll be a 4th outfielder, but that's not bad considering the production the Cubs have had out of their picks the last few years.
Going forward, we have some very good players that will be developing in our system. Historically, the Cubs have not developed their talent, true. But I'm still hopeful that Tim Wilken's guidance will result in some major league stars.
Besides drafting some very promising players this year , their international efforts are showing promise. As a reference, Hak-Ju Lee was signed for $750,000 bonus last year and has vaulted himself into a top 10 Cubs prospect. He could be a top 150 prospect in all of baseball. This year, the Cubs signed Venezuelan catcher Wilson Contreras to a $850,000 bonus, Korean center fielder Kyung-Min Na to a $750,000 bonus, and Korean outfielder Dong-Yub Kim to a $550,000. They also spent between $260,000 to $350,000 each on bonuses for two Taiwanese pitchers and a Taiwanese infielder.
It's not just about drafting anymore. The international free agent market is getting very intense and the Cubs so far are cornering the market in South Korea and Taiwan.
Going forward, we have some very good players that will be developing in our system. Historically, the Cubs have not developed their talent, true. But I'm still hopeful that Tim Wilken's guidance will result in some major league stars.
Besides drafting some very promising players this year , their international efforts are showing promise. As a reference, Hak-Ju Lee was signed for $750,000 bonus last year and has vaulted himself into a top 10 Cubs prospect. He could be a top 150 prospect in all of baseball. This year, the Cubs signed Venezuelan catcher Wilson Contreras to a $850,000 bonus, Korean center fielder Kyung-Min Na to a $750,000 bonus, and Korean outfielder Dong-Yub Kim to a $550,000. They also spent between $260,000 to $350,000 each on bonuses for two Taiwanese pitchers and a Taiwanese infielder.
It's not just about drafting anymore. The international free agent market is getting very intense and the Cubs so far are cornering the market in South Korea and Taiwan.