100 Minor Leaguers to watch

[CUBZ99]

Thanks to all attempting these lists. A couple of quick comments:

 

- I'm not sure why everyone's rating Samardzija so high...is it the idea that he's athletic overall? When I saw him in Peoria, he wasn't *that* impressive. Certainly not as good as Atkins...is it the potential?

 

Ceiling (you can teach delivery, movement, and command but not a fastball that touches 97 mph) and the fact that our system thins out so quickly after Pie, Veal, and EPatt. :(

 

It's pretty sad when two of your draft picks (a 1st and 5th rounder) easily make your top 10 prospects list.

 

 

what about sean g?

 

I love the guy. He exceeds expectations and comes to camp ready to beat some hiney (unlike Pawelek). His ceiling just isn't that high, but he has a great chance of reaching it if last season is any indication of things to come. All those walks at AA scare me, but he managed to get himself out of a lot of trouble by pitching instead of throwing. A very good sign, IMO. His BB rates will return to normal. I just don't see his ceiling as being that high, even if it did take a jump this past season.

 

i especially like his attitude. he is a bulldog type pitcher similar to the way hershiser was. i have seen him compared to peavy which is high praise indeed. if he can get his control back, i dont see why he wouldnt have an excellent year in aa.

 

Any chance that his velocity continues to increase? It is documented that the guy works his tail off in the off season, maybe his ceiling is higher than people are giving him credit for? Also, isn't he fairly young for his level?

[weather2]

"Wrigley Rat"

 

I found your rankings of Renshaw (11), Anderson (14), Canzler (16), Norwood (23), Camp (31), Craig (40), and Maestri (53) to be the most interesting.

 

Anderson's ranking is the most exciting as he's young. If he begins 2007 with a full season team; he could be the real deal.

 

Canzler put up numbers consistent with a 16 ranking; however he only played 80 games or so (SS-A) in 2006. Are his great numbers a small sample size fluke? He's definitely one to watch this year.

 

Norwood also put up numbers but will continue to be discounted as a prospect unless he changes his birth date or skips a level.

 

I don't know what to make of Camp. Pedestrian numbers in SS-A (not sure how much that matters given the adjustment to wood etc). Changing positions. Will know soon. He's not young. Others seem to like.

 

Craig could regain prospect status if he begins 2006 as Iowa's first baseman. Can that happen?

 

Renshaw was just drafted in 2006. Throws hard enough to make it as reliever if he stays healthy.

 

Maestri had a good stateside debut.

[weather2]

Position projections sure to be wrong.

 

FirstBase: Second Base

AAA: Casey McGehee Eric Patterson

AA: Brian Dopirak Issmael Salas

A+: Ryan Norwood Steve Clevenger

A-: Russ Canzler Matthew Camp

R+ Blake Parker Elvis Lara

 

Shortstop: Third Base

AAA: Ronny Cedeno Scott Moore

AA: Carlos Rojas Jemel Spearman

A+: Jonathan Mota Josh Lansford

A-: Dylan Johnston Ryan Malone

R+ Matt Matulia Valerio Heredia

 

Catcher Left Field

AAA: Geovany Sota/ K Hill Jorge Cortes

AA: Jacob Fox / Ritchie Jeff Culpepper

A+: Chris Robinson/Muyco Jesus Valdez

A-: Mark Reed Deryck Lewis

R+ Mario Mercedes Cody Gilbert

 

Centerfield: Right Field

AAA: Felix Pie Buck Coats

AA: Sam Fuld Ryan Harvey

A+: Tyler Colvin Alberto Garcia

A-: Andrew Rundle Alfred Joseph

R+ Clifford Anderson Wilson Inoa

 

Utility:

AAA: Jesse Hoorelbeke / Mike Fontenot/Chris Walker/MHoffpauier

AA: Nate Spears/Simokaitis/Matt Craig/Gary Cates/A Machado

A+: Robinson Chirinos/Kyle Reynolds/Alan Rick/M. Ciaramella

A-: Elvin Puello/Sammy Baez / Ryan Lilly/ Davy Gregg

R+ Lisandro Rosario

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the I-Cubs put Micah Hoffpauir at 1B, Casey at 3B, and move Scott Moore to the OF. Cubs love Moore's bat, but he's completely blocked by Lee and Ramirez in the bigs, and that won't change. I think the talk about Moore and SS is a non-starter, so LF would be the obvious place for Moore to get slotted in 07.

 

I also think that if Jake Fox shows any of his bat prowess from this past summer, he will quickly get moved up to AAA, as Soto and Reyes have become non-prospects.

 

Frankly, when you look at the Cubs position players in the minors, it really is extremely bleak. Pie, Patterson, Moore, Colvin, maybe Fox, maybe on his very best day Sam Fuld; these are the only kids that have shown even a glimmer of hope for being big leaguers. 2004 was a long time ago for Ryan Harvey and Dope, both of whom are busts in my book at this point.