Catching prospects

[Quakers]

I didn't see this posted anywhere. From BA; http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=1835

 

Welington Castillo: The 21-year-old Castillo batted a composite .287/.337/.383, mostly split between high Class A Daytona and Double-A Tennessee. Castillo has good defensive tools, most notably a plus arm. His blocking and receiving tools are solid, but they don’t show up with enough frequency yet, as it’s one of the many phases of the game in which Castillo is still relatively raw. With Geovany Soto still under the Cubs’ control for five more seasons, there’s little need to rush Castillo.

 

How do the posters on this site think the Cub's catching prospects stack up? With Soto doing well it may seem that this would be of little concern, but catchers have a habit of burning out quickly.

 

Maybe we should make a list of prospects at each position? Which ones show promise. Which ones could provide trade bait? Which positions are really weak. Etc...

 

It is the off season after all.

[Wrigley Rat]

I'll take a quick stab at the catcher question.

 

Welington Castillo is really the only catcher in the Cubs' minor league system who is being touted at the moment. I have him ranked as the Cubs' 8th best prospect today.

 

The only other Cub catcher to make my Top 30 list (at #26) is Matt Cerda who was drafted as a second baseman, but played a little catcher in high school. He is very raw and unproven, but in limited action last year (mostly as a DH) he managed to hit .253 with a .341 OBP at Mesa.

 

Other players with a chance to make it include:

- Steve Clevenger - a converted infielder with a nice bat (doubles power) who should play in AA this year...good eye at the plate...23 years old...lefty...ranked 33rd on my list.

- Carlos Perez - 21 years old and played at Boise last year...out of Venezuela...similar statistically to Clevenger but hasn't filled out yet...has a higher upside than Clevenger.

- Luis Flores - 22 years old...played in Peoria last year and couldn't buy a hit...supposedly has good potential to pan out...should repeat Peoria hopefully with better luck...7th round pick I believe.

- Mark Reed - still young at 22 years old, but has been in the Cubs' system for awhile...looked good at AA in limited action last year, but has not hit consistently...the Cubs will give him some more time to develop...brother of Jeremy Reed.

 

Two former catchers now playing first base (hopefully could return to catching):

- Blake Lalli - good defensive numbers behind the plate, but his left-handed bat is what could get him noticed...undrafted...power and gap potential...has hit everywhere he has gone, but old for his levels...I really like him even though he's a bit old at 26...used to pitch.

- Luis Bautista - 24 year old righty...same story as Lalli above, but not as good defensively...probably a first baseman for good...his bat has looked nice, but will have to prove it at higher levels since he was old for Peoria last year.

 

Little to no chance of making it:

- Michael Brenly

- Alvaro Sosa

- Mario Mercedes (left unprotected in the MINOR league portion of the Rule V Draft two years in a row and wasn't selected!)

- Tony Richie

- Chris Robinson

- Pat Mahoney

- Robinson Chirinos (utility infielder/backup catcher)

[Guest]

There's a real drop off after Welington Castillo. Matt Cerda is definitely the most interesting but it'll probably be 2010 before he's even playing full season and he's converting to catcher. His smaller size could also be a question mark. But he's got a high ceiling.

 

I'm not the biggest Steve Clevenger fan around, especially compared to most of the publications but the guy consistently makes contact with a disappointing lack of power. Mark Reed finally had a good season last year and his defense has improved quite a bit. Carlos Perez could be a guy of note but a few years ago, I asked about him in a BA AZL chat and they said he only projected as a backup. We'll see how he plays in full season.

 

Let's see if Luis Flores can hit but he's the best defender in the system (he or Chris Robinson).

[Wrigley Rat]

Carlos Perez could be a guy of note but a few years ago, I asked about him in a BA AZL chat and they said he only projected as a backup. We'll see how he plays in full season.

Curious - what was Geovany Soto's projection a few years ago? I thought I remember hearing backup, but don't remember. If Perez could surprise like Soto did... that would be nice!

 

If Welington Castillo gets traded away (in a Peavy deal or otherwise) that would leave our system terribly thin at the catcher position. Of course, I think it would be smart to trade him this off-season while his value is so high. It seems like his value can only go down from here on out.

[Quakers]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Can I push my luck and ask for a similar analysis of the other positions :wink:

[tspain]

From Baseball America Prospect Handbook of 2007-Cubs Top 30 Prospects

 

Catchers

 

Soto (ranked #2)

Donaldson (ranked #7)

W. Castillo (ranked #16)

Clevenger (ranked #29)

 

First Base

 

none

 

Second Base

 

Thomas (ranked #9)

Patterson (ranked #12)

 

Short Stop

 

Barney (ranked #24)

 

Third Base

 

Vitters (ranked #1)

Lansford (ranked #28)

 

Left Field

 

Fox (ranked #19)

 

Center Field

 

Fuld (ranked #18)

 

Right Field

 

Colvin (ranked #3)

Burke (ranked #13)

 

Right Handed Starting Pitchers

 

Gallagher (ranked #5)

Samardija (ranked #8)

Hart (ranked #10)

Huseby (ranked # 14)

Rhee (ranked #16)

Hernandez (ranked #17)

Suarez (ranked #20)

Acosta (ranked #21)

Holliman (ranked #27)

 

Left Handed Starting Pitchers

 

Veal (ranked #4)

Russell (ranked #22)

 

Right Handed Relievers

 

Ceda (ranked #4)

Petrick (ranked #11)

Maestri (ranked #23)

Ascanio (ranked #25)

Roquet (ranked #26)

Lakey (ranked #30)

 

Left Handed Relievers

 

none

 

This, of course, was done before the 2008 draft. And many things could have changed with this list when it comes out this winter. Some of these guys have moved on to other teams. To say the least, we have very little depth in our minor leagues position wise.

[Wrigley Rat]

Here is my current Top Prospects List for the Cubs. It is not listed by position, but you can figure that out. I also recommend looking at Baseball America's Prospect Handbook, John Sickels Top Prospect lists, etc. These are usually commented on in this forum as soon as they are puclished, but purchasing the books give you much more information.

 

1 Josh Vitters

2 Jeff Samardzija

3 Andrew Cashner

4 Jay Jackson

5 Tyler Colvin

6 Aaron Shafer

7 Dae-Eun Rhee

8 Jovan Rosa

9 Jeff Stevens

10 Welington Castillo

11 Hak-Ju Lee

12 Ryan Flaherty

13 Chris Carpenter

14 Marcos Mateo

15 John Gaub

16 Starlin Castro

17 Casey Lambert

18 Brian Schlitter

19 Dan McDaniel

20 Esmailin Caridad

21 Josh Harrison

22 Robert Hernandez

23 Blake Parker

24 Jose Ascanio

25 Junior Lake

26 Ryan Searle

27 Mitch Atkins

28 Darwin Barney

29 Matt Cerda

30 Justin Berg

31 Marquez Smith

32 Tony Thomas

33 Larry Suarez

34 Jeremy Papelbon

35 Jayson Ruhlman

36 Rocky Roquet

37 Nathan Samson

38 Alex Maestri

39 Marwin Gonzalez

40 Carlos Perez

41 Chris Archer

42 Hung-Wen Chen

43 Marco Carrillo

44 Kyler Burke

45 Bill Muldowney

46 Jordan Latham

47 Steve Vento

48 Jericho Jones

49 Brandon Guyer

50 Nate Spears

51 Logan Watkins

52 Cedric Redmond

53 Justin Bristow

54 James Leverton

55 Rafael Dolis

56 Luis Flores

57 Ryan Acosta

58 James Russell

59 Alberto Cabrera

60 Nelson Perez

61 Dylan Johnston

62 Mark Reed

63 Ty Wright

64 Yohan Gonzalez

65 Casey Coleman

66 Steve Clevenger

67 James Adduci

68 Russell Canzler

69 Cody Hams

70 Dwayne Kemp

71 Jonathan Wyatt

72 John Contreras

73 Ryan Keedy

74 Luis Bautista

75 Blake Lalli

 

I could be missing some, because it has not been looked over much. Hope it helps. Some people will strongly disagree with some of my choices, and I know I rarely match up with Baseball America past the Top 10.

[videographer]

Wrigley Rat, you missed David Patton the rule 5 pick up. Also, I would have included Drew Rundle. I consider any prospect listed after 30 as a wish list. If so, then I would put Chris Huseby on the list if his potential turns into results. His ceiling is higher than most of the pitchers anywhere on the list. To further critique, I have seen Alex Maestri and Casey Coleman pitch and would rate them higher. Overall, I think you have a good ranking of prospects.

 

Unfortunately, looking at all of them in order makes me sad. I see only four players with high-end talent to be special: Vitters, Samardzija, Cashner and Hak-Ju Lee. And, no one has seen Lee play! The rest of the list is filler at best at the MLB level. Let's hope surprises abound in 2009.

[series65cubsfan]

welcome to the board!

[Post Count Padder]

I forgot about Reed and Ritchie. They were sorta highly regarded coming out of the draft, IIRC.

[Wrigley Rat]

Wrigley Rat, you missed David Patton the rule 5 pick up. Also, I would have included Drew Rundle. I consider any prospect listed after 30 as a wish list. If so, then I would put Chris Huseby on the list if his potential turns into results. His ceiling is higher than most of the pitchers anywhere on the list. To further critique, I have seen Alex Maestri and Casey Coleman pitch and would rate them higher. Overall, I think you have a good ranking of prospects.

 

Unfortunately, looking at all of them in order makes me sad. I see only four players with high-end talent to be special: Vitters, Samardzija, Cashner and Hak-Ju Lee. And, no one has seen Lee play! The rest of the list is filler at best at the MLB level. Let's hope surprises abound in 2009.

Thanks - good suggestions.

 

I think I would put Patton somewhere in the 30's due to his age for the levels he has played. I have also been a Drew Rundle fan, not sure how I left him off - I think I would put him at 23 between Robert Hernandez and Blake Parker. I'm very worried that Chris Huseby has Rich Hill-itis. He completely lost his control last year. I would put him in the 50's until he gains his control again.

 

I'm glad to hear the good news about Maestri and Coleman. I will take that into account. Coleman was simply low due to inexperience and low draft order (I don't remember his stuff being too overpowering either). The end of 2008 for Maestri was disappointing - was he injured? I have enjoyed what he has given us, but I wondered if he started to become overmatched at AA (albeit in a small sample size and at an early age).

 

Thanks for the info.

[Guest]

I'm glad to hear the good news about Maestri and Coleman. I will take that into account. Coleman was simply low due to inexperience and low draft order (I don't remember his stuff being too overpowering either). The end of 2008 for Maestri was disappointing - was he injured? I have enjoyed what he has given us, but I wondered if he started to become overmatched at AA (albeit in a small sample size and at an early age).

 

Maestri had shoulder tendonitis and missed the last two months of the season (he did not need surgery). He said in a recent offseason interview that his arm is fine now and he's working out at the MLB Baseball Academy in Italy.

 

I'm pretty sure he was pitching injured in his minimal time at AA.

[Wrigley Rat]

I'm glad to hear the good news about Maestri and Coleman. I will take that into account. Coleman was simply low due to inexperience and low draft order (I don't remember his stuff being too overpowering either). The end of 2008 for Maestri was disappointing - was he injured? I have enjoyed what he has given us, but I wondered if he started to become overmatched at AA (albeit in a small sample size and at an early age).

 

Maestri had shoulder tendonitis and missed the last two months of the season (he did not need surgery). He said in a recent offseason interview that his arm is fine now and he's working out at the MLB Baseball Academy in Italy.

I'm pretty sure he was pitching injured in his minimal time at AA.

Good to know. I hope he recovers fully by the start of this season.