2010 Minor League Roundup

[Coach]

I wonder if we lose Szczur after he is tearing up the FCS Playoffs. He has said that football is his first love but passing up 500K for a marginal NFLer would be a tough choice.

[vitaminB]

<!--quoteo(post=123022:date=Dec 11 2010, 05:27 PM:name=Coach)-->QUOTE (Coach @ Dec 11 2010, 05:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I wonder if we lose Szczur after he is tearing up the FCS Playoffs. He has said that football is his first love but passing up 500K for a marginal NFLer would be a tough choice.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I would think with the recent success of Woodhead that several teams are going to be looking for the next great player to come out of the FCS. He looked really good the other day.

[Dumpgobbler]

For anyone whos interested, Deepleagues, a site that offers MiLB info, released a list of the top 100 prospects lately. I dont think they are as reputable as Baseball America or anything, but they seem to put out at least a semi decent list.

They have 3 cubs in the top 100 in baseball. Those 3 include:

#29 - Brett Jackson
#41 - Chris Archer
#77 - Trey McNutt

Not terrible. Would expect a few of our guys to be close to top 100, including Jay Jackson, Carpenter and Hak Ju Lee. An interesting read nonetheless.

[Ace]

<!--quoteo(post=123562:date=Dec 16 2010, 05:08 AM:name=Dumpgobbler)-->QUOTE (Dumpgobbler @ Dec 16 2010, 05:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->For anyone whos interested, Deepleagues, a site that offers MiLB info, released a list of the top 100 prospects lately. I dont think they are as reputable as Baseball America or anything, but they seem to put out at least a semi decent list.

They have 3 cubs in the top 100 in baseball. Those 3 include:

#29 - Brett Jackson
#41 - Chris Archer
#77 - Trey McNutt

Not terrible. Would expect a few of our guys to be close to top 100, including Jay Jackson, Carpenter and Hak Ju Lee. An interesting read nonetheless.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Those are very high - and I like it. Throw in the fact that the Cubs' system is incredibly deep, and they're verging on a top 5 system in all of baseball.

[funkster]

I'm surprised Jackson is rated so high. As I recall after being a scorcher...his production dropped off a bit after his promotion. Seems Archer would be higher.

[Ace]

<!--quoteo(post=123816:date=Dec 17 2010, 06:36 PM:name=funkster)-->QUOTE (funkster @ Dec 17 2010, 06:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I'm surprised Jackson is rated so high. As I recall after being a scorcher...his production dropped off a bit after his promotion. Seems Archer would be higher.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Folks still have concerns about Archer's control (rightly so). If he has another solid season in that regard, those concerns will dissipate, and assuming he has another good year all-around, I could see him being one of the top 10 pitching prospects in all of baseball.

[Dumpgobbler]

<!--quoteo(post=123761:date=Dec 17 2010, 02:10 PM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Dec 17 2010, 02:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123562:date=Dec 16 2010, 05:08 AM:name=Dumpgobbler)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dumpgobbler @ Dec 16 2010, 05:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->For anyone whos interested, Deepleagues, a site that offers MiLB info, released a list of the top 100 prospects lately. I dont think they are as reputable as Baseball America or anything, but they seem to put out at least a semi decent list.

They have 3 cubs in the top 100 in baseball. Those 3 include:

#29 - Brett Jackson
#41 - Chris Archer
#77 - Trey McNutt

Not terrible. Would expect a few of our guys to be close to top 100, including Jay Jackson, Carpenter and Hak Ju Lee. An interesting read nonetheless.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Those are very high - and I like it. Throw in the fact that the Cubs' system is incredibly deep, and they're verging on a top 5 system in all of baseball.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

The thing I love about our system is we have more pitchers who could end up being top 25 prospects. Robinson Lopez, Brett Wallach, Austin Reed, Alberto Cabrera, Rafeal Dolis and Austin Kirk could all do great things. Keep an eye on those guys. What we must do, and I hope it starts next draft, is pick up potential middle of the order bats. We have 2 guys in our whole minor league system who fit that bill. I really think we need to float some cash and get some of these guys. I'm talking the ones that slip due to high demands.

[Coldneck]

This is a pretty positive report from John Sickels.
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Chicago Cubs Top 20 Prospects for 2011

All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change. Don't get too concerned about exact rankings at this point, especially once you get past the Top 10. Grade C+/C guys are pretty interchangeable depending on what you want to emphasize.

Feel free to critique the list, but use logic and reason rather than polemics to do to. The list and grades are a blending of present performance and long-term potential. Full reports on all of players can be found in the 2011 Baseball Prospect Book. We are now taking pre-orders. Order early and order often!

QUICK PRIMER ON GRADE MEANINGS:

Grade A prospects are the elite. They have a good chance of becoming stars or superstars. Almost all Grade A prospects develop into major league regulars, if injuries or other problems don't intervene. Note that is a major "if" in some cases.

Grade B prospects have a good chance to enjoy successful careers. Some will develop into stars, some will not. Most end up spending several years in the majors, at the very least in a marginal role.

Grade C prospects are the most common type. These are guys who have something positive going for them, but who may have a question mark or three, or who are just too far away from the majors to get an accurate feel for. A few Grade C guys, especially at the lower levels, do develop into stars. Many end up as role players or bench guys. Some don't make it at all.

A major point to remember is that grades for pitchers do NOT correspond directly to grades for hitters. Many Grade A pitching prospects fail to develop, often due to injuries. Some Grade C pitching prospects turn out much better than expected.

Also note that there is diversity within each category. I'm a tough grader; Grade C+ is actually good praise coming from me, and some C+ prospects turn out very well indeed.

Finally, keep in mind that all grades are shorthand. You have to read the full comment for my full opinion about a player, the letter grade only tells you so much. A Grade C prospect in rookie ball could end up being very impressive, while a Grade C prospect in Triple-A is likely just a future role player.

Chicago Cubs Top 20 Prospects for 2011

1) Brett Jackson, OF, Grade B+: Love the broad base of skills.

2) Trey McNutt, RHP, Grade B+: Hard to believe this guy was a 32nd round pick. . .he's got great stuff.

3) Chris Archer, RHP, Grade B+: Another hard-thrower who emerged as a surprise in '10.

4) Hak-Ju Lee, SS, Grade B: I don't know why, but I think his bat can develop more than people expect.

5) Chris Carpenter, RHP, Grade B: May end up in the pen, but he's got plus stuff and I wouldn't give up on him as a starter yet.

6) Jay Jackson, RHP, Grade B: I still like him more than the numbers say I should.

7) Hayden Simpson, RHP, Grade B-: Could rank at the top next year if he does anything in the pros like he did in NCAA Division II.

8) Brandon Guyer, OF, Grade B-: He's always been an athlete and has added skills to go with the tools.

9) Reggie Golden, OF, Grade B-: Enormous potential but very raw.

10) Josh Vitters, 3B, Grade C+: I expect this will be controversial but he really needs to get things going, and age-relative-to-league is just one factor among many.

11) Robinson Lopez, RHP, Grade C+: High-ceiling arm, needs refinement.

12) Austin Reed, RHP, Grade C+: Huge sleeper for 2011.

13) Alberto Cabrera, RHP, Grade C+: Another live arm that needs polish.

14) Marquez Smith, 3B, Grade C+: Not young, but ready to help at the major league level and can catch people off-guard.

15) Robinson Chirinos, C, Grade C+: Like Smith, not young but can help soon.

16) D.J. LeMahieu, INF, Grade C+: I think people are a bit too down on him; he could surprise this year.

17) Rafael Dolis, RHP, Grade C+: Another guy in the live arm/needs polish brigade.

18) Brett Wallach, RHP, Grade C+: Another one.

19) Brooks Raley, LHP, Grade C+: Was very effective in the second half.

20) Su-Min Jung, RHP, Grade C+: Wasn't great at Peoria, but I think he can get better faster than people anticipate.

21) Austin Kirk, LHP, Grade C+: Breakthrough candidate for 2011.

22) Jin-Yeong Kim, RHP, Grade C+: Will he be worth the big bonus?

OTHERS: Jeff Antigua, LHP; Darwin Barney, INF; Welington Castillo, C; Matt Cerda, INF; Ryan Flaherty, INF; Micah Gibbs, C; Cameron Greathouse, LHP; Jae-Hoon Ha, OF; Aaron Kurcz, RHP; Junior Lake, SS; Chris Rusin, LHP; Aaron Shafer, RHP; Kyle Smit, RHP; Matt Spencer, OF-1B; Matt Szczur, OF; Tony Thomas, 2B; Ben Wells, RHP.


The Cubs system is unbalanced. <b>On the positive side, you have a huge amount of pitching, including a large number of high-ceiling arms: McNutt, Archer, Carpenter, Simpson, the big bevy of arms in the teens. There are some polish/command guys as well, and Jay Jackson straddling the midpoint. The foundation for a strong pitching staff is clearly here.</b>

<b>The hitting is another issue. I love Brett Jackson, and there is plenty of up-the-middle material with Lee having the best potential. But there is a significant lack of power and impact bats, and I'm losing faith in Vitters.</b> Golden could be anything.

The theory is that by being strong on the mound and at catcher, center field, and middle infield, you have chips to trade to fill in your offensive gaps at the corners. It's a good theory, but remember von Moltke's dictum: no plan survives contact with the enemy intact.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[ColoradoCub]

BA's top 10 is out, and also pretty positive...

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prosp...11/2611106.html

[Giff]

<!--quoteo(post=124806:date=Jan 4 2011, 01:21 PM:name=ColoradoCub)-->QUOTE (ColoradoCub @ Jan 4 2011, 01:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->BA's top 10 is out, and also pretty positive...

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prosp...11/2611106.html<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What an incredibly depressing "Top Prospects of the Decade" and "Top Draft Picks of the Decade"...

[rok]

Isn't Szczur the two sports guy or am I confusing him with someone else?

[rok]

There is probably a 1% chance of this happening in 3 years:

<b>PROJECTED 2014 LINEUP</b>
Catcher: Geovany Soto
First Base: Tyler Colvin
Second Base: Starlin Castro
Third Base: Josh Vitters
Shortstop: Hak-Ju Lee
Left Field: Brandon Guyer
Center Field: Matt Szczur
Right Field: Brett Jackson
No. 1 Starter: Andrew Cashner
No. 2 Starter: Chris Archer
No. 3 Starter: Trey McNutt
No. 4 Starter: Carlos Zambrano
No. 5 Starter: Ryan Dempster
Closer: Carlos Marmol

[Scarey]

<!--quoteo(post=124825:date=Jan 4 2011, 05:01 PM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ Jan 4 2011, 05:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Isn't Szczur the two sports guy or am I confusing him with someone else?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Yep. From what I heard he's been selected to play in the senior bowl.

[Butcher]

<!--quoteo(post=124827:date=Jan 4 2011, 03:10 PM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ Jan 4 2011, 03:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->There is probably a 1% chance of this happening in 3 years:

<b>PROJECTED 2014 LINEUP</b>
Catcher: Geovany Soto
First Base: Tyler Colvin
Second Base: Starlin Castro
Third Base: Josh Vitters
Shortstop: Hak-Ju Lee
Left Field: Brandon Guyer
Center Field: Matt Szczur
Right Field: Brett Jackson
No. 1 Starter: Andrew Cashner
No. 2 Starter: Chris Archer
No. 3 Starter: Trey McNutt
No. 4 Starter: Carlos Zambrano
No. 5 Starter: Ryan Dempster
Closer: Carlos Marmol<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Which is good because that team would probably win about 25 games.

[Scarey]

I'm pretty surprised Archer jumped Jackson. BA loves Jackson and he didn't exactly hurt himself by OPSing .888 while being promoted up to AA ball last year. The Cubs have a breat shot at having two top 50 prospects. Unfortunately, they'll be lucky to have two more in the top 100. McNutt is a shoe-in, but I'm not sure if Lee makes it.