Cub prospects in the news

[CubsWin]

Someone with more knowledge please enlighten me. Where do the 16 year old international signees go from here? My assumption would be they would probably spend 2 years in the Dominican Academy before going over to AZL/rest of the minors?

 

How long until they are considered actual prospects who slot in somewhere in a team's system ranking lists?

They sign 2014 contracts actually. Unless they're older, like Mejia. They may get a taste of EXST over the offseason and its possible if they're advanced enough, they could start out in Arizona. Highly doubtful though. More than one year in the Dominican League for those 2 would be a big disappointment. FWIW, Jimenez and Torres will both show up on BA's top 30. Likely in the late teens to mid 20 range. Parks said he'll consider both for his Cubs top 15.

 

Generally a couple of the top 16-year olds start off in the complex leagues the year after they sign (for example, Baretto is in the GCL this year), but I feel like the Cubs under Theo seem are willing to go slower.

 

Off the top of my head, Larry Suarez, Carlos Zambrano and Felix Pie are the only 16-year olds who signed and jumped to the AZL in their first year in the Cubs system.

 

ETA: Forgot Felix Pie.

 

Has there ever been a team that through an extremely talented 16 or 17 year old in Single or Double A? Is there any rare talents like that who had great success in the minors at 16, 17..?

 

http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=628711

 

also it's not exactly what you asked for, but felix hernandez utterly dominated the top hitter's league in baseball (california league, high A ball) and then another hitter's league (texas league, AA) at age 18.

There's the case of the Dodger's Jose Urias this year.

[pitchcs]

Does Urias have a deformed left side of his face?

[Guest]

Someone with more knowledge please enlighten me. Where do the 16 year old international signees go from here? My assumption would be they would probably spend 2 years in the Dominican Academy before going over to AZL/rest of the minors?

 

How long until they are considered actual prospects who slot in somewhere in a team's system ranking lists?

They sign 2014 contracts actually. Unless they're older, like Mejia. They may get a taste of EXST over the offseason and its possible if they're advanced enough, they could start out in Arizona. Highly doubtful though. More than one year in the Dominican League for those 2 would be a big disappointment. FWIW, Jimenez and Torres will both show up on BA's top 30. Likely in the late teens to mid 20 range. Parks said he'll consider both for his Cubs top 15.

 

Generally a couple of the top 16-year olds start off in the complex leagues the year after they sign (for example, Baretto is in the GCL this year), but I feel like the Cubs under Theo seem are willing to go slower.

 

Off the top of my head, Larry Suarez, Carlos Zambrano and Felix Pie are the only 16-year olds who signed and jumped to the AZL in their first year in the Cubs system.

 

ETA: Forgot Felix Pie.

 

Has there ever been a team that through an extremely talented 16 or 17 year old in Single or Double A? Is there any rare talents like that who had great success in the minors at 16, 17..?

 

Besides Urias, who Truffle mentioned, Carlos Triunfel, Fernando Martinez and Deolis Guerra started at A-ball. There are probably a few more over the years.

 

ETA: I assume you mean full season A-ball. If not, guys like Felix Hernandez and Jurickson Profar started at short season A-ball (Northwest League).

[Guest]

Does Urias have a deformed left side of his face?

 

He had an eye problem, one of the reasons many teams passed on him last summer. It's supposedly fine now.

[wekim81]

Does Urias have a deformed left side of his face?

 

He had an eye problem, one of the reasons many teams passed on him last summer. It's supposedly fine now.

he's really amazing. Doing what he's doing at 16.

[TruffleShuffle]

article about almora. and the best news, it's not written by phil rogers!

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/18378/almoras-instincts-leadership-set-him-apart

[ctcf]

From the BP/Jason Parks write-up on the Futures Game:

 

*Arismendy Alcantara, 2B, Chicago Cubs

He put on one of the better batting practice performances, jumping into the ball and sending ropes up the middle and to his pull side. The swing is balanced and easy, finding the ball and driving it without noisy or complicated bat-speed generators. Basically, he doesn’t sell out for bat speed, he just produces it. He can really hit, and he can really run, and he can field, but the throwing mechanics are a better fit for second, and I think he’s going to excel at that position at the highest level. This looks like the Cubs keystone of the future, and a guy who is a no doubt top 100 prospect in the game right now. He can flat out play.

[craig]

Thanks, ctcf. That's pretty nice review on aa. The comment that his throwing mechanism looks better for 2B than SS, I'm not sure I understand , but that's really encouraging.

 

Caution, of course, is that having a beautiful BP swing involves hitting straightballs. I suspect Alcantara's high K-rate reflects that he's got some limitations that won't be evidenced in bp.

[ctcf]

Thanks, ctcf. That's pretty nice review on aa. The comment that his throwing mechanism looks better for 2B than SS, I'm not sure I understand , but that's really encouraging.

 

Caution, of course, is that having a beautiful BP swing involves hitting straightballs. I suspect Alcantara's high K-rate reflects that he's got some limitations that won't be evidenced in bp.

 

I'm assuming that review also includes his performance in the actual game as well.

[Have a seat, Neifi]

Thanks, ctcf. That's pretty nice review on aa. The comment that his throwing mechanism looks better for 2B than SS, I'm not sure I understand , but that's really encouraging.

 

Caution, of course, is that having a beautiful BP swing involves hitting straightballs. I suspect Alcantara's high K-rate reflects that he's got some limitations that won't be evidenced in bp.

 

I'm assuming that review also includes his performance in the actual game as well.

The game in which he hit a HR, if I'm not mistaken.

[Bruno7481]

Theo Epstein (Chicago): Thanks for stopping by Jason! Just how good could my future outfield be headlined by Albert Almora and Jorge Soler?

 

Jason Parks: This good (points to naked, oiled up physique)

 

jmaas14 (Sycamore,IL): The Cubs minor league system is obviously stacked offensively, but there doesn't appear to be much impact talent on the pitching side. I saw PIerce Johnson throw at Kane County a couple of times and I really liked what I saw. Are there any pitching prospects in the system that you are high on?

 

Jason Parks: JOhnson is a quality arm; like him a lot. Adding Edwards to the mix certainly helps, as does getting Juan Paniagua back into the states and on a field.

 

Mike (Chicago ): You're going to hate this question but what do you make of Junior Lakes terrific major league start?

 

Jason Parks: It's a positive thing, even if I don't think its sustainable or a good indication of future production. He's playing well, playing hard, and contributing. That's always a good thing.

 

Mike (Normal): If Mike Olt were brought to Chicago today and were allowed to play every day at 3B for the rest of the year, what's your best guess on what his slash line would look like?

 

Jason Parks: .220/.300/.325

 

Michael (San Francisco): JP, do you think that if Jorge Soler is able to get back on the field in August, then make up some at bats in the AFL, that the Cubs start him at AA to begin next season?

 

Jason Parks: Yes; that sounds reasonable.

 

Jose Ole (Johnson City, TN): I hear Vogelbach's defense is starting to look like he may be serviceable at 1B. What are your thoughts about him overall?

 

Jason Parks: Big raw and good hit; don't see a 1B, but that doesn't mean he can't make it work. If the bat plays, you can figure out the glove.

 

Junkee (Wrigley): realistic 2015 Cubs starters? 1b Rizzo 2b Alcantara SS Castro 3b Baez LF Bryant CF Almora RF Soler? whos catching?

 

Jason Parks: I'd put Olt at 3B and Baez on another team's roster, with Bryant in RF and Soler in LF. If that's the lineup, I could be catching and it wouldn't matter much.

[Guest]

I really hope Baez doesn't end up the traded one of the top guys (although I could easily see it). Dude's swag is off the charts and I want him on the good Cubs team bad.

[imb]

man parks, dont you know its impossible to have a prospect chat without being an [expletive] all the time? they're gonna cut up your chat card if you keep this up

[ctcf]

Yeah, what the hell? Not a single snide remark? No prospect bashing? Positive responses? The guy is out of control.

[Guest]

Why does Parks want to trade Baez?

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

He doesn't, he just thinks they will.

[Guest]

Why does Parks want to trade Baez?

 

In the past he's floated the idea that since Baez wasn't drafted by this FO, that he might be the top prospect they lean towards trading. Since someone had to go in that hypothetical, that's my guess as to why he picked Baez. The fact that he has the most trade value of the lot doesn't hurt either.

[TruffleShuffle]

If they trade Baez, I assume it would be in a deal where the Cubs get something really good, so I don't really care either way.

 

Although Royals fans are REALLY not going to enjoy watching what the Rays get out of Wil Myers the next several years.

[ctcf]

Jonathan Mayo's updated Cubs Top 20 at MLB.com is comically bad:

 

1. SS Javier Baez

2. OF Albert Almora

3. OF Jorge Soler

4. 3B Kris Bryant

5. 3B Mike Olt

6. RHPArodys Vizcaino

7. RHP Pierce Johnson

8. IF Arismendy Alcantara

9. OF/IF Junior Lake

10. OF Matt Szczur

11. 1B Dan Vogelbach

12. RHP C.J. Edwards

13. OF Brett Jackson

14. 3B Christian Villanueva

15. OF Jae-Hoon Ha

16. 3B Jeimer Candelario

17. RHP Paul Blackburn

18. RHP Duane Underwood

19. 2B Gioskar Amaya

20. RHP Alberto Cabrera

[rawaction]

Jonathan Mayo's updated Cubs Top 20 at MLB.com is comically bad:

 

1. SS Javier Baez

2. OF Albert Almora

3. OF Jorge Soler

4. 3B Kris Bryant

5. 3B Mike Olt

6. RHPArodys Vizcaino

7. RHP Pierce Johnson

8. IF Arismendy Alcantara

9. OF/IF Junior Lake

10. OF Matt Szczur

11. 1B Dan Vogelbach

12. RHP C.J. Edwards

13. OF Brett Jackson

14. 3B Christian Villanueva

15. OF Jae-Hoon Ha

16. 3B Jeimer Candelario

17. RHP Paul Blackburn

18. RHP Duane Underwood

19. 2B Gioskar Amaya

20. RHP Alberto Cabrera

 

Its not that bad. Jackson shouldn't be on it and switch Edwards and Szczur and it I can see the argument.

[Guest]

Alcantara should not be anywhere near that low, recent struggles aside.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Matt Szczur is barely in the top 30.

[rawaction]

Alcantara should not be anywhere near that low, recent struggles aside.

He's 8th? The highest he can possibly is 5. I have him 6 behind Pierce Johnson. "Not anywhere near that low" is not accurate.

[rawaction]

Matt Szczur is barely in the top 30.

Rated 15th by this very site. Again, not very far from where he is on this list. 10 is probably a stretch as I stated, but only a few glaring issues with this list. Its not terrible IMO.

[Guest]

Alcantara should not be anywhere near that low, recent struggles aside.

He's 8th? The highest he can possibly is 5. I have him 6 behind Pierce Johnson. "Not anywhere near that low" is not accurate.

 

He should be solidly 5th.