Cubs Prospect Watch

[DMBZeppelin]

My cat can destroy the PCL. The fact that Juan Castro had a respectable .284 batting average in his career at the PCL should tell you all about the league.

The Juan Castro reference was hyperbole of course, but the point was you don't have to be a stud to tear the ball up in the PCL. It's the best hitting environment in all of pro baseball in the U.S., and for that reason MLB teams affiliated with the PCL often opt to have their best pitching prospects skip AAA. Even the can't-miss prospects like Greg Brock and Billy Ashley couldn't make the jump from the PCL to the Majors.

Sure, but he's been a .815-ish OPS guy league neutral, rather than the 1.000+ OPS stud that you view him as.

> Greg Brock

» Dodger debut: 1982

» Finally given up on: 1986

» The low-down: Showing outstanding power in the minor leagues, the Dodgers banked on Greg Brock to be their starting first baseman and let Steve Garvey go. However, Brock never could fill Garvey's shoes, and was finally traded to Milwaukee for Tim Leary and Tim Crews... probably one of the better deals the team has made.

I think Rizzo is a lot better than you give him credit for.

[DMBZeppelin]

A great video on Almora. It's his pre-draft MLB Network profile. You can see why some think he's one of the most polished high schoolers ever, and considered one of the more sure things from a high schooler in a long time.

Baseball Video Highlights & Clips | MLB Network profiles Albert Almora - Video | MLB.com: Multimedia

[DMBZeppelin]

Oh and the Cubs recent success after the Rizzo call up kind of blows.

They seemed to be a lock for the 1st pick at one point.

A core of Castro, Rizzo, Baez, Almora, Jackson, and a #1 overall pick would have been nice. Plus whatever they get back for Garza and Dempster. Vitters while no longer projecting as a possible star player. Looks like he could still turn into a serviceable big leaguer.

[Trendy Bastard]

I think a top 3 pick will still be a lock. Give them some time to pick apart the roster.

[Trendy Bastard]

Jorge Soler's first home run.

[Trendy Bastard]

Brett Jackson and Josh Vitters have been called up!!

[DMBZeppelin]

So many reasons to watch the Cubs now:

Tier 1:
Starlin Castro
Anthony Rizzo
Brett Jackson
Josh Vitters

Tier 2:
Wellington Castillo
Jeff Samardzija

Tier 3:
Darwin Barney

This is far and away the most interesting bad Cubs team I've ever seen. It's slowly morphed into a year where everyone on the team matter. Hopefully we continue to lose. I do want to see the young guns perform well.

It's nice to see a bunch of home grown products on the field. Plus Baez has been doing well. I'm excited to see what Soler and Almora can do.

[Trendy Bastard]

Jorge Soler: Baseball's Next Big Prospect? | FanGraphs Baseball

Fun article to read regarding Soler.

[Trendy Bastard]

#1: Javier Baez
#2: Jorge Soler
#3: Albert Almora
#4: Arodys Vizcaino
#5: Dan Vogelbach
#6: Brett Jackson
#7: Juan Paniagua
#8: Christian Villanueva
#9: Dillon Maples
#10: Josh Vitters
#11: Pierce Johnson
#12: Junior Lake
#13: Jeimer Candelario
#14: Duane Underwood
#15: Matt Szczur
#16: Arismendy Alcantara
#17: Ronald Torreyes
#18: Marco Hernandez
#19: Gioskar Amaya
#20: Alberto Cabrera
#21: Logan Watkins
#22: Rob Whitenack
#23: Barrett Loux
#24: Ben Wells
#25: Paul Blackburn
#26: Hector Rondon
#27: Tony Zych
#28: Jae-Hoon Ha
#29: Trey McNutt
#30: Steve Bruno
#31: Michael Jensen
#32: Trey Martin
#33: Tayler Scott
#34: Jose Arias
#35: Ryan McNeil
#36: Jose Rosario
#37: Shawon Dunston Jr.
#38: Nick Struck
#39: Austin Reed
#40: Reggie Golden

This is a pretty well known Cubs forum ranking of the top 40 prospects in the organization.

1) Javier Baez SS
2) Albert Almora OF
3) Jorge Soler OF
4) Arodys Vizcaino RHP
5) Brett Jackson OF
6) Pierce Johnson RHP
7) Dan Vogelbach 1B
8) Jeimer Candelario 3B
9) Kyuji Fujikawa RHP
10) Arismendy Alcantara SS

That is BaseballAmerica's Top 10.
BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: Rankings: Organization Top 10 Prospects: 2013 Chicago Cubs Top 10 Prospects

[Trendy Bastard]

Soler is starting the season off great with 2 home runs already!

[Trendy Bastard]

Soler was ejected from a minor league game last night. After a play at 2B, the opposing 2nd baseman landed on top of Soler, and things got heated after Soler shoved him off. Apparently, the 2B was making comments about Soler's family, causing Soler to lose his damn mind, and led him onto the field with a bat headed towards the opposing dugout. Benches cleared to separate Soler and to get him back in the clubhouse. He's facing a 5 game suspension.

First real lesson for the giant youngin'. He's going to have to learn that players will do anything to get in your head. He needs to keep his cool. He's already apologized, and hopefully he learns from this and it never happens again.

Soler, who defected from Cuba in 2011, was batting .435 with two home runs and a 1.258 OPS this season.

[DMBZeppelin]

In 5 hours we add a very important one to the mix.

[Trendy Bastard]

Cubs took 3B Kris Bryant with the 2nd overall pick.

I think this was the right decision. /cue Gray becoming an ace

[Trendy Bastard]

2013 Prospect Watch | MLB.com: News

The Cubs have signed the #3 guy in that link, Gleyber Torress. 16 year old SS

Gleyber Torres
Rank: 3
Maracay, Venezuela
Height: 6'0", Weight: 170
Position: SS
DOB: 12/3/1996
Bats: R, Throws: R


Scouting Grades* (present/future): Hit: 4/6 | Power: 4/6 | Run: 4/4 | Arm: 5/6 | Field: 5/5

The top player from Venezuela in this year's class, Gleyber does everything well. He has a smooth compact swing and the ball jumps off his bat. Scouts like that he can spray the ball all over the field with power and believe he has a chance to be a special hitter.


A solid defender, Torres has excellent hands, great feet and he's known to have an accurate arm with above-average strength. He's impressed scouts with his ability to make all of the routine plays and an occasional great play. He is particularly adept on his glove-hand side and continues to show improvement on all-around defense.


Torres isn't the biggest prospect on the field but he has an athletic build and is strong for his size. Scouts have taken notice of his baseball instincts and his leadership abilities, and he quickly built a reputation as a fundamentally sound player. Torres trains with Ciro Barrios in Maracay.

They are also heavily connected to #1, Eloy Jimenez. Many are guessing that is why we are acquiring so much international cash.

Eloy Jimenez
Rank: 1
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Height: 6'4", Weight: 198
Position: OF
DOB: 11/27/1996
Bats: R, Throws: R
Scouting Grades* (present/future): Hit: 3/5 | Power: 4/6 | Run: 6/6 | Arm: 5/6 | Field: 5/5

Considered the crown jewel of the Class of 2013, Jimenez has one of the best baseball bodies available this year and is considered to be the total package. The teenager has impressed scouts with his intelligence, plus-speed, and gap-to-gap power that is expected to improve as he grows into his body.


Jimenez is also an advanced hitter with quick hands and is expected to hit for average. He projects as a corner outfielder, likely right field, because of his arm strength and athletic ability. Some believe he might lack in baseball instincts and has an average to above-average arm, but most agree Jimenez will improve once he is placed into a team's academy. Like many his age, Jimenez sometimes struggles with offspeed pitches. He runs the bases well and has the potential to be a base stealer in the future.


Jimenez played in the RBI program in the Dominican Republic and for the International Prospect League (IPL), but he could still use more in-game experience. Scouts love his raw power yet are also impressed with his makeup and strong family background. Roberto Clemente is one of Jimenez's baseball heroes.

[Trendy Bastard]

Cubs acquired two international signing bonus slots (slot numbers two and three) from the Astros for minor league infielder Ronald Torreyes.

Another deal that has gone down today for the Cubs.

Go get Jimenez!