Cubs' Prospects FUTUREBONER thread

[Oleg]

For whatever it's worth, Willson Contreras won the Southern League batting title, hitting .333/.413/.478/.891 on the year. Willing to bet he could be a nice trade piece this offseason as a catcher who can swing the bat. Teams always need those.

And his name looks so much like Wellington Castillo that I can't wait for your "Epstink is terrible for trading a catcher who can hit" posts.

[SKO]

For whatever it's worth, Willson Contreras won the Southern League batting title, hitting .333/.413/.478/.891 on the year. Willing to bet he could be a nice trade piece this offseason as a catcher who can swing the bat. Teams always need those.

And his name looks so much like Wellington Castillo that I can't wait for your "Epstink is terrible for trading a catcher who can hit" posts.

It's Welington Castillo. He gave Willson his other L.

[Quality Start Machine]

For whatever it's worth, Willson Contreras won the Southern League batting title, hitting .333/.413/.478/.891 on the year. Willing to bet he could be a nice trade piece this offseason as a catcher who can swing the bat. Teams always need those.

Or, let's swee what he does in Iowa, just in case Schwarber doesn't develop into a catcher who is a defensive plus.

[SKO]

For whatever it's worth, Willson Contreras won the Southern League batting title, hitting .333/.413/.478/.891 on the year. Willing to bet he could be a nice trade piece this offseason as a catcher who can swing the bat. Teams always need those.

Or, let's swee what he does in Iowa, just in case Schwarber doesn't develop into a catcher who is a defensive plus.

If the return for him isn't good enough, sure, but if I wouldn't let that stop them from throwing him into the package for a good starting pitcher if he's what the other team is asking for. Montero is under contract for two more years and really Schwarber looks like he could figure it out within that time frame. No need to hoard a guy like Contreras if the price is right.

[Quality Start Machine]

Myrtle Beach won the Carolina League championship with the same core group that won in Kane County last year.

Next year we get to see how all that pitching does in Tennessee.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

So Almora finished the season .272/.327/.400/.727, hardly the stuff of his immediate studly predecessors, but certainly an indicator that he may still be useful yet, if his defense is as Andruw Jones-awesome as some have implied.  Speaking of that I see that he also made 6 errors in the OF in 252 chances (2 in 180 in CF, from where he made 5 of his 6 assists, including 1 DP).  Of course I learned from Javy Baez--who made 44 errors in 644 chances at SS in 2013 between High-A and AA but has clearly demonstrated he's a borderline defensive wizard at the major league level-- that trying to get a read on a player's minor-league defense based on traditional measures is probably a futile endeavor...leading me to ask any of you statfags who, if anybody, tracks the fancy-assed defensive metrics like UZR and such for minor league ball...

[R-V]

For whatever it's worth, Willson Contreras won the Southern League batting title, hitting .333/.413/.478/.891 on the year. Willing to bet he could be a nice trade piece this offseason as a catcher who can swing the bat. Teams always need those.

Or, let's swee what he does in Iowa, just in case Schwarber doesn't develop into a catcher who is a defensive plus.

If the return for him isn't good enough, sure, but if I wouldn't let that stop them from throwing him into the package for a good starting pitcher if he's what the other team is asking for. Montero is under contract for two more years and really Schwarber looks like he could figure it out within that time frame. No need to hoard a guy like Contreras if the price is right.

Montero is 32 years old, Ross is 96, and while we all hope Schwarber can continue to develop at catcher, I don't know that I'd bet on it happening. I'm a little puzzled at why you're in such a hurry to trade a guy in Contreras who by all accounts I've read is blossoming into a stud, when the Cubs don't exactly have Buster Posey locked in behind the plate for the next 5+ years.

If we're talking about a target like a Felix Hernandez, hell yes Contreras should be on the table, but I don't know that I'm willing to give him up for a merely "good" starting pitcher.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

For whatever it's worth, Willson Contreras won the Southern League batting title, hitting .333/.413/.478/.891 on the year. Willing to bet he could be a nice trade piece this offseason as a catcher who can swing the bat. Teams always need those.

Or, let's swee what he does in Iowa, just in case Schwarber doesn't develop into a catcher who is a defensive plus.

If the return for him isn't good enough, sure, but if I wouldn't let that stop them from throwing him into the package for a good starting pitcher if he's what the other team is asking for. Montero is under contract for two more years and really Schwarber looks like he could figure it out within that time frame. No need to hoard a guy like Contreras if the price is right.

Montero is 32 years old, Ross is 96, and while we all hope Schwarber can continue to develop at catcher, I don't know that I'd bet on it happening. I'm a little puzzled at why you're in such a hurry to trade a guy in Contreras who by all accounts I've read is blossoming into a stud, when the Cubs don't exactly have Buster Posey locked in behind the plate for the next 5+ years.

If we're talking about a target like a Felix Hernandez, hell yes Contreras should be on the table, but I don't know that I'm willing to give him up for a merely "good" starting pitcher.

This is fair.

[SKO]

The 2016 Cubs should be world series contenders. Contreras isn't going to be a part of that, regardless. If you get a starting pitcher who increases your chances of winning a title in 2016 for Contreras, you move him. Sure, he's too high of a price for some Mike Leake type, but I'm guessing if Theo is trading for a guy it's a Ross/Carrasco type or better, so you can damn well bet I'm moving a catcher with one good year in the minors for that chance.

It helps that I honestly think with another offseason to work on it Schwarber can be an OK catcher.

[SKO]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/10/cubs-to-sign-eddy-julio-martinez.html Eddy Julio Martinez, who has drawn comps to Andruw Jones and has a 60+ grade on all five tools.

[PenFoe]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/10/cubs-to-sign-eddy-julio-martinez.html Eddy Julio Martinez, who has drawn comps to Andruw Jones and has a 60+ grade on all five tools.

I have so many questions about this dude and the whole process since July, but lacking those answers...bonertime.

Big tip of the cat to McLeod.

[Saul Goodman]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/10/cubs-to-sign-eddy-julio-martinez.html Eddy Julio Martinez, who has drawn comps to Andruw Jones and has a 60+ grade on all five tools.

I have so many questions about this dude and the whole process since July, but lacking those answers...bonertime.

Big tip of the cat to McLeod.

Same here.  No idea what went on, but I'm glad they swooped in and got him.  $3 million is nothing for an MLB team.

From MLB Pipeline, just to refresh our memories:

Eddy Julio Martinez (#4 of 30 on MLB Pipeline's 2015 IFA list)

Position: OF
Bats: R
Throws: R
Age: 20
DOB: 1/18/1995
Height: 6'2
Weight: 195 lb

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Run: 70 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60

Think a young Andruw Jones. That's how some scouts have described the 20-year-old center fielder from Cuba. Evaluators like his body -- described as solid and compact -- and his athleticism. But there's a lot more to like.

In the batter's box, Martinez has a quick and compact power stroke. He's shown the ability to hit home runs to all fields and work the counts. He's speedy out of the box and shows base-stealing potential. Described as "hard-nosed," Martinez is aggressive and not afraid to take an extra-base.

Martinez has shown good instincts on defense and the ability to cover the gaps in the outfield. Those skills combined with a playable and accurate arm make scouts believe he will stay in center field and could be in the big leagues in after a couple of seasons in the Minor Leagues. Scouts also like that Martinez has experience playing for Cuba's junior national teams in Mexico and Venezuela and that he spent two seasons with Las Tunas in Cuba's Serie Nacional, the island's top league.

Martinez, who was declared a free agent by Major League Baseball in May, is eligible to sign. However, it is unclear if he will sign during the current international signing period or wait until the next period that begins on July 2. He is currently training in the Dominican Republic.

The Cubs, Yankees, Angels, Blue Jays, Nationals, Rockies, Tigers, Dodgers, Giants and White Sox are among the teams that have expressed serious interest in Martinez.

[Quality Start Machine]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/10/cubs-to-sign-eddy-julio-martinez.html Eddy Julio Martinez, who has drawn comps to Andruw Jones and has a 60+ grade on all five tools.

I have so many questions about this dude and the whole process since July, but lacking those answers...bonertime.

Big tip of the cat to McLeod.

Same here.  No idea what went on, but I'm glad they swooped in and got him.  $3 million is nothing for an MLB team.

From MLB Pipeline, just to refresh our memories:

Eddy Julio Martinez (#4 of 30 on MLB Pipeline's 2015 IFA list)

Position: OF
Bats: R
Throws: R
Age: 20
DOB: 1/18/1995
Height: 6'2
Weight: 195 lb

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Run: 70 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60

Think a young Andruw Jones. That's how some scouts have described the 20-year-old center fielder from Cuba. Evaluators like his body -- described as solid and compact -- and his athleticism. But there's a lot more to like.

In the batter's box, Martinez has a quick and compact power stroke. He's shown the ability to hit home runs to all fields and work the counts. He's speedy out of the box and shows base-stealing potential. Described as "hard-nosed," Martinez is aggressive and not afraid to take an extra-base.

Martinez has shown good instincts on defense and the ability to cover the gaps in the outfield. Those skills combined with a playable and accurate arm make scouts believe he will stay in center field and could be in the big leagues in after a couple of seasons in the Minor Leagues. Scouts also like that Martinez has experience playing for Cuba's junior national teams in Mexico and Venezuela and that he spent two seasons with Las Tunas in Cuba's Serie Nacional, the island's top league.

Martinez, who was declared a free agent by Major League Baseball in May, is eligible to sign. However, it is unclear if he will sign during the current international signing period or wait until the next period that begins on July 2. He is currently training in the Dominican Republic.

The Cubs, Yankees, Angels, Blue Jays, Nationals, Rockies, Tigers, Dodgers, Giants and White Sox are among the teams that have expressed serious interest in Martinez.

What's his BMI? Asking for a friend.

[ChuckD]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/10/cubs-to-sign-eddy-julio-martinez.html Eddy Julio Martinez, who has drawn comps to Andruw Jones and has a 60+ grade on all five tools.

I have so many questions about this dude and the whole process since July, but lacking those answers...bonertime.

Big tip of the cat to McLeod.

Same here.  No idea what went on, but I'm glad they swooped in and got him.  $3 million is nothing for an MLB team.

From MLB Pipeline, just to refresh our memories:

Eddy Julio Martinez (#4 of 30 on MLB Pipeline's 2015 IFA list)

Position: OF
Bats: R
Throws: R
Age: 20
DOB: 1/18/1995
Height: 6'2
Weight: 195 lb

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Run: 70 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60

Think a young Andruw Jones. That's how some scouts have described the 20-year-old center fielder from Cuba. Evaluators like his body -- described as solid and compact -- and his athleticism. But there's a lot more to like.

In the batter's box, Martinez has a quick and compact power stroke. He's shown the ability to hit home runs to all fields and work the counts. He's speedy out of the box and shows base-stealing potential. Described as "hard-nosed," Martinez is aggressive and not afraid to take an extra-base.

Martinez has shown good instincts on defense and the ability to cover the gaps in the outfield. Those skills combined with a playable and accurate arm make scouts believe he will stay in center field and could be in the big leagues in after a couple of seasons in the Minor Leagues. Scouts also like that Martinez has experience playing for Cuba's junior national teams in Mexico and Venezuela and that he spent two seasons with Las Tunas in Cuba's Serie Nacional, the island's top league.

Martinez, who was declared a free agent by Major League Baseball in May, is eligible to sign. However, it is unclear if he will sign during the current international signing period or wait until the next period that begins on July 2. He is currently training in the Dominican Republic.

The Cubs, Yankees, Angels, Blue Jays, Nationals, Rockies, Tigers, Dodgers, Giants and White Sox are among the teams that have expressed serious interest in Martinez.

What's his BMI? Asking for a friend.

25.0.

2 FAT 4 CF. 2 FAT 2 TIP CAT.

[Quality Start Machine]

In all seriousness, where will the Cubs break him in? Tennessee seems like the logical spot given his age.