Cubs prospects to watch in 06

[RyCubsFan]

So what prospects are you excited to watch this year? Of course, Murton and Cedeno...but who else?

 

As for me, here's a few whose progress I'm eager to follow:

 

Guzman -- First big league start this year. Would like to see him have a successful, healthy year...and be written is as one of the Cubs starting 5 for next year.

 

Marshall -- I think we're all excited about Sean. The man's TALL, throws lefty (oh, that elusive lefty). Could he finally be a lefty in the Cubs rotation for years to come...?

 

Pie -- Of course. I still have a of of confidence in Pie and I think he's going to have a tremendous year, earning a Sept. call up and hopefully a starting job next year in Center for the Cubs.

 

Gallagher -- Prove the naysayers wrong. Prove he does indeed have the stuff necessary to dominate at higher levels

 

Fuld and Patterson -- They were fun to watch last year at the top of the order. Love the aggressiveness of both. Will Fuld be in Double A with Eric?

 

Pawelek -- He could shoot up the prospect lists this year and be very high on the top 100 next year.

 

Fox -- Sounds like he's really improved his defense, which was the big question mark about him. Showed his bat off in Spring Training as well. Is he the future post-Barrett?

 

Harvey -- Power! Can he cut down k's? With Pie and Murton, we need Ryan to be our right fielder of the future! Home grown outfield baby.

 

Dopirak -- Would love to see him rebound in Double A. Love me some dope slaps!

 

Others: Ryu, Veal, Hill, Sing, Blasko, Hagerty...

[NorthsideAvenger]

So what prospects are you excited to watch this year? Of course, Murton and Cedeno...but who else?

 

As for me, here's a few whose progress I'm eager to follow:

 

Guzman -- First big league start this year. Would like to see him have a successful, healthy year...and be written is as one of the Cubs starting 5 for next year.

 

Marshall -- I think we're all excited about Sean. The man's TALL, throws lefty (oh, that elusive lefty). Could he finally be a lefty in the Cubs rotation for years to come...?

 

Pie -- Of course. I still have a of of confidence in Pie and I think he's going to have a tremendous year, earning a Sept. call up and hopefully a starting job next year in Center for the Cubs.

 

Gallagher -- Prove the naysayers wrong. Prove he does indeed have the stuff necessary to dominate at higher levels

 

Fuld and Patterson -- They were fun to watch last year at the top of the order. Love the aggressiveness of both. Will Fuld be in Double A with Eric?

 

There are a couple of sleepers that could shoot up this yr....Johnny Defendis (sounds like a comic book hero), Dylan Johnston, and perhaps and dare I say it....Darin Downs. To me....those are the three I believe will make the biggest jumps.

 

Pawelek -- He could shoot up the prospect lists this year and be very high on the top 100 next year.

 

Fox -- Sounds like he's really improved his defense, which was the big question mark about him. Showed his bat off in Spring Training as well. Is he the future post-Barrett?

 

Harvey -- Power! Can he cut down k's? With Pie and Murton, we need Ryan to be our right fielder of the future! Home grown outfield baby.

 

Dopirak -- Would love to see him rebound in Double A. Love me some dope slaps!

 

Others: Ryu, Veal, Hill, Sing, Blasko, Hagerty...

 

Personally, I like Johnny Defendis---you know the Cubs resident player with a superhero name--- and Darin Downs as my two sleepers of the yr.

Edited March 25, 2006 by NorthsideAvenger

[sporrer17]

Mark Reed. I still like the type of potential he has, and the fact that he's a catcher. He's got skill...just needs to show his talent.

[CubsMinorLeagueReport]

I am eager to see if Scott Moore can improve on last year. I am really hoping to see a big year out of him in West Tenn.

[Outshined_One]

I'll just give my sleeper list since everyone will give obvious answers. ;)

 

RHP Justin Berg - Terrific sinker, acquired in the Matt Lawton trade, should start at Daytona but move fast from there.

1B/3B/OF Russ Canzler - Been an offensive monster down in the AZ League, but hasn't settled in to a position yet. Might start at Peoria next season.

C/1B/3B/OF Yusuf Carter - If he sticks at catcher, he could be pretty darn good since his bat has good potential. Likely starting at Boise next season.

3B Elvin Puello - Latin import with soft hands and feet, needs some consistency with the bat. Probably starting in Peoria.

C Jake Muyco - Defensively ready for the majors, but his bat needs to improve. Probably starting in Daytona.

C Mario Mercedes - I've been hearing whispers about him, but nothing substantial enough to get a read on him beyond his youth. Likely starting in Boise.

IF Dylan Johnston - Defensive wizard, needs work on his bat. Boise.

IF Sammy Baez - BA liked him a lot defensively, but apparently he is scrawny and needs to fill out his frame. Boise or AZ.

RHP William Paganetti - Was once considered one of the top young starting pitchers in the nation, but injuries decimated him. As a reliever, he apparently has been making a comeback. Peoria maybe?

RHP Jose Pina - I liked his numbers in limited action down in Arizona. Don't know much about his stuff. Boise.

RHP Scott Taylor - Big body, intimidating presence on the mound, and some pretty good pitches. Excellent potential endurance-wise. Boise or Peoria?

RHP Michael Phelps - Was electric in a relief role with Peoria last season. Will he return to starting? Daytona.

OF Matt Ciaramella - Kinda reminds me of Murton, although he likely will be a bit old for his league in Daytona.

[TXCubsFan]

My sleeper is Randy Wells. Could make a nice setup man in 2007 or 2008. Not bad for a former catcher!

[CaliforniaRaisin]

C/1B/3B/OF Yusuf Carter - If he sticks at catcher, he could be pretty darn good since his bat has good potential. Likely starting at Boise next season.

 

I heard he was likely headed to Peoria, actually.

 

RHP William Paganetti - Was once considered one of the top young starting pitchers in the nation, but injuries decimated him. As a reliever, he apparently has been making a comeback. Peoria maybe?

 

Probably Peoria, that's who he was working out with.

 

RHP Scott Taylor - Big body, intimidating presence on the mound, and some pretty good pitches. Excellent potential endurance-wise. Boise or Peoria?

 

Was also working out with Peoria.

[Ivy Walls]

Last year the talk was Dubois and he was always filler and trade bait. Suddenly looking up AA WTN had 6 guys batting .300 + in June. Then Cedeno wouldn't quit batting .360 in AAA and forced himself onto the SHOW.

 

Here are my thoughts in category:

 

2006 impact: Pitchers

A-1 Marshall, (heck after today he might have earned himself onto the April roster and then stick).

A-2 Guzman; depending on the injury status of Wood, Miller and Prior or the performances Rusch and/or Williams he too could have a significant impact.

A-3 Ryu; he too is an injury backup this year,

A-4 Aardsma watch if Wuertz and Novoa have problems if he is brought in during the summer months.

 

Position players:

 

A-1: Pagan; he too might make the April roster as the 25 man and then might pinball back and forth through the season depending if the Cubs want 12 pitchers or 14 position players.

A-2: Theroit (see above) he has speed, contact hitter and can play all infield positions. Prospects rise if/when Cubs trade older middle infielders.

A-3: Sing, my darkhorse in becoming the 25 man by June 1st as Cubs seek to platoon Jones against lefties where Brendan's stick occassionally and off the bench is too much to hold in Iowa.

A-4: Pie will be called if Pierre or Jones are hurt otherwise Pie does not arrive until September, which he will remain for a long time.

 

Prospects rising for 2007

 

Besides the three starting pitchers of Marshall, Ryu and Guzman look for Veal to move up from Daytona to AA. The other to watch is Marmol, the converted position player into a closer with a rocket arm. Hagerty is the other like Marshall is coming off a couple of seasons of injury.

 

Position players: As the Cubs get acquainted with the successes of Murton and Cedeno watch for Eric Patterson to break into the Cubs dugout in September and then he will compete for the starting spot next spring as a lead off hitter. (This is why the Cubs do not extend Pierre and allow Pie to take over CF for '07).

 

Also watch the catchers as I suspect the Cubs will look for one of their developing backstops to compete with Barrett and Blanco for a spot in '07 or at least '08.

 

Long term:

 

Dopirak has reclaimed his status as a special prospect this spring but if or when Lee extends his contract Dopirak will be TRADE BAIT par deluxe, expecially if Sing makes the 25 man roster as a platoon/pinch hitting 1B/OF'er.

 

Harvey, this is the year when Harvey either gets it or becomes a forgotten 1st round draft choice.

 

Pawelek, he will be tooling in Peoria and if he dominates like Gallagher surprised the experts last year watch him move to Daytona by August.

 

Gallagher, if he repeats with is great Peoria A performance watch as he is moved to AAA for '07

 

What are the Cubs needs. Always pitching, then if Patterson moves up with Pie the Cubs next needs will be catching and depth.

[Illini Iceman]

Aardsma was hitting 94 mph on the WGN speed readings today so that is promising unless it is a fast gun. He could develop this year as a nice Wuertz type set up man.

[YearofDaCubs]

Aardsma was hitting 94 mph on the WGN speed readings today so that is promising unless it is a fast gun. He could develop this year as a nice Wuertz type set up man.

I always thought Aardsma was able to hit 97-98? I could be wrong though.

[CubsWin]

Aardsma was hitting 94 mph on the WGN speed readings today so that is promising unless it is a fast gun. He could develop this year as a nice Wuertz type set up man.

I always thought Aardsma was able to hit 97-98? I could be wrong though.

According to the commentary during the broadcast of Saturday's game in which Aardsma pitched, he used to be able to hit 97-98, but it was costing him control so he backed off.

 

Didn't he also get injured about two years ago and that affected his mph a bit?

[Outshined_One]

C/1B/3B/OF Yusuf Carter - If he sticks at catcher, he could be pretty darn good since his bat has good potential. Likely starting at Boise next season.

 

I heard he was likely headed to Peoria, actually.

 

RHP William Paganetti - Was once considered one of the top young starting pitchers in the nation, but injuries decimated him. As a reliever, he apparently has been making a comeback. Peoria maybe?

 

Probably Peoria, that's who he was working out with.

 

RHP Scott Taylor - Big body, intimidating presence on the mound, and some pretty good pitches. Excellent potential endurance-wise. Boise or Peoria?

 

Was also working out with Peoria.

 

I recall you mentioning that certain players were practicing with higher level guys during minor league ST than expected because of the lack of roster cutdowns due to the WBC. In other words, who they practiced with might not be totally indicative of where they start the season. :p

[CaliforniaRaisin]

C/1B/3B/OF Yusuf Carter - If he sticks at catcher, he could be pretty darn good since his bat has good potential. Likely starting at Boise next season.

 

I heard he was likely headed to Peoria, actually.

 

RHP William Paganetti - Was once considered one of the top young starting pitchers in the nation, but injuries decimated him. As a reliever, he apparently has been making a comeback. Peoria maybe?

 

Probably Peoria, that's who he was working out with.

 

RHP Scott Taylor - Big body, intimidating presence on the mound, and some pretty good pitches. Excellent potential endurance-wise. Boise or Peoria?

 

Was also working out with Peoria.

 

I recall you mentioning that certain players were practicing with higher level guys during minor league ST than expected because of the lack of roster cutdowns due to the WBC. In other words, who they practiced with might not be totally indicative of where they start the season. :p

 

True enough, but still something to note.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Aardsma was hitting 94 mph on the WGN speed readings today so that is promising unless it is a fast gun. He could develop this year as a nice Wuertz type set up man.

I always thought Aardsma was able to hit 97-98? I could be wrong though.

 

As with Cubswin, I also heard that Aardsma could hit that high on his FB, but his control would be not the average. Besides...I rather Aardsma hitting 92-95 and able to hit his spots, instead of throwing high 90s, and NOT knowing where the ball was going. If Aardsma stays inside his game, he could ACTUALLY help the Cubs later in the season.

[Bear Cub]

After watching Brandon Sing break his bat in half and sending the ball against the leftfield wall yesterday for the game winning hit I got to pick him as my propect to watch. Unbelievable power. Can he make contact is the question.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

Aardsma was hitting 94 mph on the WGN speed readings today so that is promising unless it is a fast gun. He could develop this year as a nice Wuertz type set up man.

I always thought Aardsma was able to hit 97-98? I could be wrong though.

 

As with Cubswin, I also heard that Aardsma could hit that high on his FB, but his control would be not the average. Besides...I rather Aardsma hitting 92-95 and able to hit his spots, instead of throwing high 90s, and NOT knowing where the ball was going. If Aardsma stays inside his game, he could ACTUALLY help the Cubs later in the season.

Any chance Aardsma will close @ Iowa, with Novoa hurt?

[CUBZ99]

Aardsma was hitting 94 mph on the WGN speed readings today so that is promising unless it is a fast gun. He could develop this year as a nice Wuertz type set up man.

I always thought Aardsma was able to hit 97-98? I could be wrong though.

 

As with Cubswin, I also heard that Aardsma could hit that high on his FB, but his control would be not the average. Besides...I rather Aardsma hitting 92-95 and able to hit his spots, instead of throwing high 90s, and NOT knowing where the ball was going. If Aardsma stays inside his game, he could ACTUALLY help the Cubs later in the season.

 

Ron P. may have already addressed this topic, but it would be interesting to see what he thinks of Aardsma after seeing him for half a year. It seems by his use this spring that the Cubs like him quite a bit.