Cubs' Prospects FUTUREBONER thread

[Saul Goodman]

The midseason BP Top 50 is out.  Top 10 below, and all other Cubs who made the list.

1. OF Byron Buxton, Twins
2. SS Carlos Correa, Astros
3. 3B Kris Bryant, CUBS
4. SS Francisco Lindor, Indians
5. SS Javier Baez, CUBS
6. SS Addison Russell, CUBS
7. RHP Lucas Giolito, Nationals
8. RHP Dylan Bundy, Orioles
9. RHP Noah Syndergaard, Mets
10. RHP Robert Stephenson, Reds
18. 2B Arismendy Alcantara, CUBS
37. OF Albert Almora, CUBS

Where's Soler?

I imagine he will be back in the Top 50 with a strong summer/fall and some improved reports on makeup.

Where's Schwarber?

Kyle Schwarber (C/OF, Cubs)
Where he fits: Somewhere after Hunter Renfroe (44th)
Schwarber was the most advanced collegiate bat in the draft class, with an ability to hit for plus in-game power without sacrificing average. He puts together professional at bats, shows well against top competition, and has a general knack for finding his pitch and driving it. At present he's being permitted to feast upon heavily overmatched Low-A arms, and likely won't face his first real professional challenge until Double-A (or perhaps the Arizona Fall League if he finds a spot on the taxi squad). The BP Prospect Team loves catchers, so his ranking on the Top 101 might be largely dictated by the position at which the Cubs elect to stick him. If it looks like he is destined for first base, he won't debut on the Top 101 as high as organization mate Kris Bryant (17th last winter), but he could fit comfortably in the Top 60 or so with a solid 2014 pro showing.

[Saul Goodman]

Capsules, for non-subscribers:

3. 3B Kris Bryant (Cubs)

Placement on pre-season 101: #17

Current MiLB level/Affiliate: Triple-A Iowa

Developmental Update: Bryant continues to launch home runs, rack up strikeouts, rake at an eye-popping clip, and show a discerning eye at the plate. Through 371 plate appearances between Double A and Triple A, Bryant is slashing .357/.453/.717 and finds himself knocking on Wrigley's door. He has proven himself without question to be the loudest bat in the minors and a potential impact mainstay in the middle of the Cubs order for the foreseeable future. –Nick Faleris

5. SS Javier Baez (Cubs)

Placement on pre-season 101: #4

Current MiLB level/Affiliate: Triple-A Iowa

Developmental Update: Baez has the best bat speed in the minors, and it's not even close for me; a lethal weapon that could make him the premium power bat in the game. But his approach is below average, and he routinely puts himself in bad hitter's counts and conditions. With more refinement, the ceiling is cathedral but the risk is still quite high despite the fact that the 21-year-old is more than holding his own at the Triple-A level. –Jason Parks

And which of you morans did this?  Nice work.

why didnt Parks take credit for Baez getting night vision cornea's implanted?

6. SS Addison Russell (Cubs)

Placement on pre-season 101: #7

Current MiLB level/Affiliate: Double-A Tennessee

Developmental Update: From a skill-set perspective, Addison Russell has the most well-rounded profile at the shortstop position in the minors, with above-average chops in the field (including double-plus hands), and impact potential with both the hit and power tools. Russell has lost half a season to injury, but could challenge for the top spot in the minors with a strong second half. The ultimate upside is a perennial all-star at a premium spot, and the future could start as early as 2015. –Jason Parks

18. 2B Arismendy Alcantara (Cubs)

Placement on pre-season 101: #83

Current MiLB level/Affiliate: Triple-A Iowa

Developmental Update: I've always liked Alcantara, but I was too low on him coming into the season, despite a skill set that has three-way impact potential at the highest level (hit/glove/run). Now that the 22-year-old has taken his talents to Triple-A, and exceeded expectations at the plate and on base, the future first-division player has jumped the list and emerged as a top 20 prospect in the game. --Jason Parks

37. OF Albert Almora (Cubs)

Placement on pre-season 101: #25

Current MiLB level/Affiliate: High-A Daytona

Developmental Update: Almora's had a rough start to his season. His lack of production in half a season at High-A as a 20-year-old shouldn't obfuscate the tools he still has. Almora makes loud, consistent contact and plays a very good center field due to his ability to make early reads off the bat. The baseball IQ is high and it helps the other tools play up. He's not the sexy name in the Cubs system, but don't forget about him. –Mauricio Rubio

[Yeti]

And which of you morans did this?  Nice work.

why didnt Parks take credit for Baez getting night vision cornea's implanted?

This guy: http://www.desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?action=profile;u=2670
Almost to the end: http://obstructedview.net/about-us
https://twitter.com/dylanj85

And, who can forget: http://web.archive.org/web/20101120022124/http://anothercubsblog.net/2010-articles/february/starf-kers-inc.html

[Bort]

More good news. Jorge Soler went 3 for 4 with a double and HR. Just stay on the field.

In early wagering, I'm putting my money on Soler to be better than all of them at this point.

I'm on the fence between Soler and Bryant as to who will be the best.  I also think Soler's contract and readiness makes him the most tradeable. 

That's really the next big thing to watch with Theo. He's never been shy about trading away young talent to acquire established talent.  The question is: from this huge crop he has, who stays and who goes?  There's no way that I see him keeping everyone.

If you think Theo isn't increasingly likely to trade away young talent, you haven't been paying attention.

Far be it from me to stick up for Chuck, but isn't this what he's saying?

Unless I'm just confused by the double negatives.

You DO suck at memes.

I have no idea what's going on.

This might help.

Okay, appreciated.

/kills self for forgetting meme
//kills self twice for needing a meme explained

The only thing better than forgetting a meme is the deals.

[PenFoe]

And which of you morans did this?  Nice work.

why didnt Parks take credit for Baez getting night vision cornea's implanted?

This guy: http://www.desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?action=profile;u=2670
Almost to the end: http://obstructedview.net/about-us
https://twitter.com/dylanj85

And, who can forget: http://web.archive.org/web/20101120022124/http://anothercubsblog.net/2010-articles/february/starf-kers-inc.html

He's also the "Tournament of Douche" guy.

You can start here for some good SBox action.

Also, it seems to be gone, but he's also the guy who pre-wrote his SBox posts and then copy/pasta'd them in.  

And...that was the end of that.

Edited to include: Some more goodies here

[Yeti]

And which of you morans did this?  Nice work.

why didnt Parks take credit for Baez getting night vision cornea's implanted?

This guy: http://www.desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?action=profile;u=2670
Almost to the end: http://obstructedview.net/about-us
https://twitter.com/dylanj85

And, who can forget: http://web.archive.org/web/20101120022124/http://anothercubsblog.net/2010-articles/february/starf-kers-inc.html

He's also the "Tournament of Douche" guy.

You can start here for some good SBox action.

Also, it seems to be gone, but he's also the guy who pre-wrote his SBox posts and then copy/pasta'd them in.  

And...that was the end of that.

Edited to include: Some more goodies here

The day I betrayed you all

[PenFoe]

And which of you morans did this?  Nice work.

why didnt Parks take credit for Baez getting night vision cornea's implanted?

This guy: http://www.desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?action=profile;u=2670
Almost to the end: http://obstructedview.net/about-us
https://twitter.com/dylanj85

And, who can forget: http://web.archive.org/web/20101120022124/http://anothercubsblog.net/2010-articles/february/starf-kers-inc.html

He's also the "Tournament of Douche" guy.

You can start here for some good SBox action.

Also, it seems to be gone, but he's also the guy who pre-wrote his SBox posts and then copy/pasta'd them in.  

And...that was the end of that.

Edited to include: Some more goodies here

The day I betrayed you all

What a little bitch you were.

[BH]

And which of you morans did this?  Nice work.

why didnt Parks take credit for Baez getting night vision cornea's implanted?

This guy: http://www.desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?action=profile;u=2670
Almost to the end: http://obstructedview.net/about-us
https://twitter.com/dylanj85

And, who can forget: http://web.archive.org/web/20101120022124/http://anothercubsblog.net/2010-articles/february/starf-kers-inc.html

He's also the "Tournament of Douche" guy.

You can start here for some good SBox action.

Also, it seems to be gone, but he's also the guy who pre-wrote his SBox posts and then copy/pasta'd them in.  

And...that was the end of that.

Edited to include: Some more goodies here

The day I betrayed you all

What a little bitch you were.

Anyone see BK's standup yet? I thought he passed away.

[PenFoe]

Also, as a follow-up to the Top 50 prospects, Manny Ramirez had a legit question.

Manny (Iowa): I know the difference between #1 and #3 is splitting hairs, but can you make the case for Kris Bryant being no doubt #1 prospect in the game? Has absolutely demolished AA and now AAA, where as Buxton and Correa have battled injuries and never been above A ball. Their ceilings that much higher?

Jason Parks on the Top 50: Bryant has a case. As good as he will be, I don't think he profiles at a premium spot with a premium ceiling, like Buxton and Correa. Keep in mind that both Buxton and Correa were high school draftees and they aren't in the same spot as Bryant--developmentally speaking. That makes the projections more abstract--which can make ranking them alongside polished college mashers quite difficult.

So, Bryant has a case to be the best prospect in baseball. w00t!

[PenFoe]

And which of you morans did this?  Nice work.

why didnt Parks take credit for Baez getting night vision cornea's implanted?

This guy: http://www.desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?action=profile;u=2670
Almost to the end: http://obstructedview.net/about-us
https://twitter.com/dylanj85

And, who can forget: http://web.archive.org/web/20101120022124/http://anothercubsblog.net/2010-articles/february/starf-kers-inc.html

He's also the "Tournament of Douche" guy.

You can start here for some good SBox action.

Also, it seems to be gone, but he's also the guy who pre-wrote his SBox posts and then copy/pasta'd them in.  

And...that was the end of that.

Edited to include: Some more goodies here

The day I betrayed you all

What a little bitch you were.

Also, this is a dylanj joint as well.

[Tony]

6. SS Addison Russell (Cubs)

Placement on pre-season 101: #7

Current MiLB level/Affiliate: Double-A Tennessee

Developmental Update: From a skill-set perspective, Addison Russell has the most well-rounded profile at the shortstop position in the minors, with above-average chops in the field (including double-plus hands), and impact potential with both the hit and power tools. Russell has lost half a season to injury, but could challenge for the top spot in the minors with a strong second half. The ultimate upside is a perennial all-star at a premium spot, and the future could start as early as 2015. –Jason Parks

The A's had projected him to be their starter next year right? Is it realistic to think he'll be up next year?

[Quality Start Machine]

6. SS Addison Russell (Cubs)

Placement on pre-season 101: #7

Current MiLB level/Affiliate: Double-A Tennessee

Developmental Update: From a skill-set perspective, Addison Russell has the most well-rounded profile at the shortstop position in the minors, with above-average chops in the field (including double-plus hands), and impact potential with both the hit and power tools. Russell has lost half a season to injury, but could challenge for the top spot in the minors with a strong second half. The ultimate upside is a perennial all-star at a premium spot, and the future could start as early as 2015. –Jason Parks

The A's had projected him to be their starter next year right? Is it realistic to think he'll be up next year?

Oakland didn't have Castro and Baez in front of him.

[PenFoe]

Smokies' pitcher Dae-Eun Rhee named Southern League player of the week.

That's 4, if you're counting at home.

The 25-year-old righty allowed just two earned runs in 12.2 innings of work last week, striking out 13 and walking 3.

Rhee's 25 and in AA, so I wonder if he keeps it up we could see a Dallas Beeler like cameo. BN claims he was once a top prospect.

Back to Alcantara. That's some damn fine baseballing. I guess it's not too bold to say he could be the first of the three that will be called up.

Rhee just got promoted to Iowa since Iowa's entire pitching staff got called up to Chicago.
Still just 25...could be worth watching.

[Tony]

6. SS Addison Russell (Cubs)

Placement on pre-season 101: #7

Current MiLB level/Affiliate: Double-A Tennessee

Developmental Update: From a skill-set perspective, Addison Russell has the most well-rounded profile at the shortstop position in the minors, with above-average chops in the field (including double-plus hands), and impact potential with both the hit and power tools. Russell has lost half a season to injury, but could challenge for the top spot in the minors with a strong second half. The ultimate upside is a perennial all-star at a premium spot, and the future could start as early as 2015. –Jason Parks

The A's had projected him to be their starter next year right? Is it realistic to think he'll be up next year?

Oakland didn't have Castro and Baez in front of him.

Well Castro is going to be around for a long time, so I guess we'll just wait for him to retire before we see Russell.

[Powdered Toast Man]

6. SS Addison Russell (Cubs)

Placement on pre-season 101: #7

Current MiLB level/Affiliate: Double-A Tennessee

Developmental Update: From a skill-set perspective, Addison Russell has the most well-rounded profile at the shortstop position in the minors, with above-average chops in the field (including double-plus hands), and impact potential with both the hit and power tools. Russell has lost half a season to injury, but could challenge for the top spot in the minors with a strong second half. The ultimate upside is a perennial all-star at a premium spot, and the future could start as early as 2015. –Jason Parks

The A's had projected him to be their starter next year right? Is it realistic to think he'll be up next year?

Oakland didn't have Castro and Baez in front of him.

Well Castro is going to be around for a long time, so I guess we'll just wait for him to retire before we see Russell.

It's pretty obvious that all three of them will play SS at the same time.