Cub prospects in the news

[Ding Dong Johnson]

If Castro projects as a SS, and everybody who sees Theriot knows he isn't a long-term short with his no range and no arm, but wouldn't it make sense tomove Theriot over to 2B and give Castro the shot at SS? It worked (or in the process of working) with the Rangers moving the established but the inferior player of the position to a new position? If Young can move to 3rd, then Theriot should be able to move to 2b.

Castro hasn't exactly had a great time with the defense, committing 50 errors in 157 games at SS

 

Error totals at the low minors are pretty unreliable as far as projections go.

I know, I'm just pointing out a reason he's being looked at for 2B instead of SS

[Guest]

Is there any chance he gets a look for the 2010 team? He's young, but he's already in AA, and it seems that once a guy gets to AA guys get a chance to win a spot.

 

I doubt it mainly because I expect the Cubs to come into the season with a veteran 2B and SS (Theriot). I doubt they'd give him a chance to be a backup in the big leagues.

[jersey cubs fan]

Is there any chance he gets a look for the 2010 team? He's young, but he's already in AA, and it seems that once a guy gets to AA guys get a chance to win a spot.

 

I doubt it mainly because I expect the Cubs to come into the season with a veteran 2B and SS (Theriot). I doubt they'd give him a chance to be a backup in the big leagues.

 

I feel like they will almost have to go cheap there again and won't have a legit option to go with veterans, unless they come back with Theriot, Fontenot, Blanco and Baker.

[bubblesdachimp]

I really think that Castro has a chance to be a Baseball America top 50 before the season. Definitely i would think that he will be in the top 100. I might even think there is a chance he will overtake Vitters. What a freaking pleasent surprise he has been this year. He has vaulted up the charts. Congrats to everyone who has helped to make him a success

[illiniguy]

Front page article on Castro today in Baseball America.

 

Question, if he really is a shortstop, why are we exploring the move to 2B to play along side Theriot in the bigs? Theriot isn't a shortstop. The BA article kinda implies we are going to break him in as a 2B in the bigs.

[Guest]

Chuck (l.a.) what's been wrong with Jeff Samardzija? Is he not as good as the hype?

 

Jim Callis (2:46 PM) More stuff than savvy, hence he's inconsistent.

 

SteveFitz (Cicero, IL) Alvarez, Wallace, Moustakas or Vitters - career?

 

Jim Callis (3:03 PM) Pedro Alvarez.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

http://projectprospect.com/article/2009/09/04/minors-only-bull-market

 

OF Kyler Burke – Chicago Cubs

 

It seems like Burke has been around forever – he was a supplemental first round pick back in 2006. The Padres quickly gave up on him and traded him to the Cubs and Burke had done nothing to make the Padres regret dealing him away. Until now. A two-sport athlete in high school, Burke was one of those guys long on tools but short on polish and it showed as he struggled through his first few seasons in the minors. As a result, he dropped off many people's radars, but the light has come on this year in Low-A. After having a 39/104 BB/K over 421 plate appearances last season, Burke has improved that to 76/98 in 541 plate appearances this year, including a tight 46/47 ratio after the break. His highest monthly walk rate (20.9%) and his lowest monthly strikeout rate (14.0%) both came in August while his isolated power has increased each month since May. It's worth noting that Burke is repeating the level – he has had a few hundred plate appearances in Low-A over the past couple years – but at 21, he's still younger than the average Low-A age of 22.2. His BABIP is also a career-high .364. If he's able to transition smoothly to High-A next year, he'll get a lot more attention than he is receiving now.

[Guest]

Ask BA:

 

Baseball America[/url]"]Looking back on the Indians' terrible season and the return on the Mark DeRosa deal it made me wonder who you would rather have in your organization. Would you rather have lefthander John Gaub and righthanders Chris Archer and Jeff Stevens (the package Cleveland gave up to get DeRosa from the Cubs), or righties Chris Perez and Jess Todd (the combo the Tribe received for DeRosa from the Cardinals)?

 

Jeff Kaplan

Cleveland

 

Though the Cubs are pleased with all three of the players they got for DeRosa, I bet they wish they never had traded him. He was dealt to clear payroll after the free-agent signing of Milton Bradley, an even more regrettable move. And while the Indians dumped DeRosa's salary after they fell out of contention, they didn't do too badly because they came out ahead in the two transactions.

 

The highest ceiling of all the pitchers belongs to Perez, the lone potential closer in the bunch. He has done a better job of throwing strikes since moving to the tougher American League, and both his mid-90s sinker and high-80s slider are out pitches.

 

Todd has been torched in his first taste of the big leagues this year, but he still could be the second-best pitcher in the two deals. He has shown good command of a solid three-pitch repertoire (fastball, slider, cutter) in the minors, but he hasn't located his pitches nearly as well with St. Louis or Cleveland.

 

I do like all three of the Cubs' arms, however. Though Archer went 6-4, 2.81 with 119 strikeouts in 109 innings as a starter in low Class A this year, he probably will wind up as a reliever, just like the other four pitchers in the two trades. He has a low-90s fastball but his secondary pitches, control and command have lacked consistency throughout his pro career.

 

Stevens has stuff similar (with a bit more velocity) to Todd's, and has had the same difficulty establishing himself in the majors. Gaub can't reach 96 mph like he could before having shoulder surgery while at the University of Minnesota, but his fastball and slider are solid pitches that are enhanced by his deceptive delivery.

[Guest]

Bruce Miles talked to Tim Wilken over the weekend. Here are some tid bits:

 

Bruce Miles[/url]"]Since it was a quiet morning, I had a chance to shoot the breeze with farm director Oneri Fleita and scouting director Tim Wilken today. Lefty Austin Kirk, the Cubs’ third-round pick this year, was at Wrigley today throwing in the bullpen. Between Arizona and Boise this year, Kirk went 2-1 with a 3.95 ERA.

 

...

 

Coleman is a 2008 draft pick of Wilken, as were Andrew Cashner, Chris Carpenter and Jay Jackson. Tim told me he likes “athletic” pitchers. He says not only does that help them at the plate and in the field, but it also helps them to “repeat their deliveries.” Interesting stuff.

 

Tim said one guy to keep an eye on in the low minors is righty Kenneth McNutt, who went 3-0 with a 1.33 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP at Boise. In 20.1 innings, McNutt gave up 9 hits. He’s a 32nd-round pick this year, and people say he reminds them a little of Cashner

 

Wilken also said the Cubs were happy with lefty Brooks Raley, a sixth-rounder this year. Raley was 0-1 with a 2.53 ERA between Arizona and Boise.

 

As far as other position players go, Oneri talked up right fielder Kyler Burke, who had a Midwest League-leading 43 doubles to go along with a .405 OBP at Peoria.

 

“Kyler Burke had a tremendous year," Oneri said. "You look at the categories: a big man who hits for power, he can run, plays really good defense, has a tremendous throwing arm. I think he recorded his 15th outfield assist in the playoffs. He also has on-base percentage, doubles. He’s a run producer, and it’s not very often you can find guys who can give you all those type of skills and be a big corner outfielder.”

[Wrigley Rat]

Kyler Burke and Casey Coleman named Cubs minor league player and pitcher of the Year, respectively.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090914&content_id=6965462&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[Guest]

Joe (New Hampshire) Jim, which Cubs prospect do you prefer: Andrew Cashner or Chris Carpenter?

 

Jim Callis (2:49 PM) Cashner.

 

Steve (Santee, CA) Jaff Decker or somebody else for Midwest League top prospect?

 

Jim Callis (2:52 PM) I'm still tinkering with it. Leaning towards Josh Vitters, but Decker is in the running.

[Ryno12]

Cubs Great Leaps Forward from Kevin Goldstein:

 

Chicago Cubs: Outfielder Kyler Burke always had intriguing size and athleticism, and those qualities began to translate into performance on the field with a .303/.405/.505 line at Low-A Peoria that also involved his chipping in 15 home runs, 14 stolen bases, and 78 walks. If some of his 43 doubles turn into home runs, look out.

Runner-up: Righty Chris Carpenter has first-round stuff, but a long injury history dropped him to the third round last year. But he stayed healthy all year, earned a pair of promotions, and finished with a 2.82 ERA in 27 starts while consistently throwing 94-95 mph fastballs.

[Guest]

Baseball America[/url]"]BEST PLAYER: Just a year removed from playing 51 games in the Rookie-level Arizona League, Starlin Castro made a significant move up the Cubs' player development ladder in 2009. The 19-year-old shortstop finished the year at Double-A Tennessee. Castro more than held his own, batting a solid .288/.347/.396 over 111 at-bats. He also had five hits and a pair of RBIs as the Smokies played their way into the SL championship series. He started the year at high Class A Daytona and wound up batting .296/.340/.390 overall, with 28 stolen bases in 39 attempts. He also struck out just 53 times in 469 at-bats.

 

Castro has a chance to be a sound defender at shortstop, though he also could move to second base down the line. "You can tell he loves to play the game," Tennessee hitting coach Tom Beyers said. "He plays with a reckless abandon and isn't worried about what's in front of him."

 

BEST PITCHER: Righthander Casey Cole­man's father and grandfather, both named Joe, were major league all-stars. In his first full season, the 22-year-old became a Southern League all-star at Tennessee, with an eye on following in their footsteps.

 

Coleman led the organization in wins, going 14-6, 3.68 for the Smokies, and was named the Cubs' minor league pitcher of the year. He was taken in the 15th round of the 2008 draft and proved a big key in Tennessee's playoff run.

 

KEEP AN EYE ON: The Cubs gave righthander Chris Huseby $1.3 million as an 11th-round pick in 2006, and it took awhile for the Tommy John surgery alumnus to start living up to his billing. He had his best year as a pro in 2009, though, as the 6-foot-7, 220-pounder starred in relief at low Class A Peoria. Huseby went 4-5, 1.83 with 18 saves while striking out 73 and walking just 10 in 54 innings.

[Guest]

Jon (Rhode Island): Has the Cubs system taken a big step forward this year? Vitters, Cashner, Carpenter, J. Jackson, Hak-Ju Lee, Starlin Castro, Kyler Burke, Brett Jackson all seem like legit 4* candidates.

 

Kevin Goldstein: Has the Cubs system taken a big step forward this year? Absolutely. Calling all of those guys 4-star players (Top 100 worthy) is a bit absurd.

 

Mark (Sacramento): What can we read into Tyler Colvin's ridiculous August (.379/.425/.689) and good season (.300/.334/.524)? Still MLB starter potential? 4th OF/bench bat?

 

Kevin Goldstein: Stock is certainly back up, but I have problems seeing him as a every day guy in a corner.

 

http://baseballprospectus.com/chat/chat.php?chatId=649

[Wrigley Rat]

Thomas Diamond was designated for assignment. Decent chance he is claimed by someone else, but if he makes it through waivers we will have another open spot on the 40-man roster and a cheap former top prospect.

[CUBZ99]

Jon (Rhode Island): Has the Cubs system taken a big step forward this year? Vitters, Cashner, Carpenter, J. Jackson, Hak-Ju Lee, Starlin Castro, Kyler Burke, Brett Jackson all seem like legit 4* candidates.

 

Kevin Goldstein: Has the Cubs system taken a big step forward this year? Absolutely. Calling all of those guys 4-star players (Top 100 worthy) is a bit absurd.

 

Mark (Sacramento): What can we read into Tyler Colvin's ridiculous August (.379/.425/.689) and good season (.300/.334/.524)? Still MLB starter potential? 4th OF/bench bat?

 

Kevin Goldstein: Stock is certainly back up, but I have problems seeing him as a every day guy in a corner.

 

http://baseballprospectus.com/chat/chat.php?chatId=649

 

Absurd to say the Cubs have 4 top 100 prospects? Seems a little strong. Vitters, Castro definitely belong in the top 100, but I don't think it is an "absurd" stretch to think J. Jackson, Cashner or Brett Jackson make the top 100.

[jersey cubs fan]

Jon (Rhode Island): Has the Cubs system taken a big step forward this year? Vitters, Cashner, Carpenter, J. Jackson, Hak-Ju Lee, Starlin Castro, Kyler Burke, Brett Jackson all seem like legit 4* candidates.

 

Kevin Goldstein: Has the Cubs system taken a big step forward this year? Absolutely. Calling all of those guys 4-star players (Top 100 worthy) is a bit absurd.

 

Mark (Sacramento): What can we read into Tyler Colvin's ridiculous August (.379/.425/.689) and good season (.300/.334/.524)? Still MLB starter potential? 4th OF/bench bat?

 

Kevin Goldstein: Stock is certainly back up, but I have problems seeing him as a every day guy in a corner.

 

http://baseballprospectus.com/chat/chat.php?chatId=649

 

Absurd to say the Cubs have 4 top 100 prospects? Seems a little strong. Vitters, Castro definitely belong in the top 100, but I don't think it is an "absurd" stretch to think J. Jackson, Cashner or Brett Jackson make the top 100.

 

There are 8 names there.

[CUBZ99]

Jon (Rhode Island): Has the Cubs system taken a big step forward this year? Vitters, Cashner, Carpenter, J. Jackson, Hak-Ju Lee, Starlin Castro, Kyler Burke, Brett Jackson all seem like legit 4* candidates.

 

Kevin Goldstein: Has the Cubs system taken a big step forward this year? Absolutely. Calling all of those guys 4-star players (Top 100 worthy) is a bit absurd.

 

Mark (Sacramento): What can we read into Tyler Colvin's ridiculous August (.379/.425/.689) and good season (.300/.334/.524)? Still MLB starter potential? 4th OF/bench bat?

 

Kevin Goldstein: Stock is certainly back up, but I have problems seeing him as a every day guy in a corner.

 

http://baseballprospectus.com/chat/chat.php?chatId=649

 

Absurd to say the Cubs have 4 top 100 prospects? Seems a little strong. Vitters, Castro definitely belong in the top 100, but I don't think it is an "absurd" stretch to think J. Jackson, Cashner or Brett Jackson make the top 100.

 

There are 8 names there.

 

Ah, :oops: :-)) . Guess I fail at reading comprehension today. His statement is accurate.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't think the guy was trying to say all of them were 4* players, but more that depending on how you feel, any one of those guys could be considered Top 100/4* players.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't think the guy was trying to say all of them were 4* players, but more that depending on how you feel, any one of those guys could be considered Top 100/4* players.

 

He was still listing 8 names as potential top 100 prospects, which doesn't make a lot of sense. The Cubs might have 4 out of a basket of 5 potential candidates, I don't think they have 3 more that will just miss the cut.

[utkcub]

I haven't always followed the minor leagues as closely as I have this year, but when was the last time we had this much to look forward to?

[BeerHere]

I haven't always followed the minor leagues as closely as I have this year, but when was the last time we had this much to look forward to?

Prior, Cruz, Hill and Choi were all top prospects at one point.

[utkcub]

I haven't always followed the minor leagues as closely as I have this year, but when was the last time we had this much to look forward to?

Prior, Cruz, Hill and Choi were all top prospects at one point.

Let's hope these prospects end up better than those did.

[BeerHere]

I haven't always followed the minor leagues as closely as I have this year, but when was the last time we had this much to look forward to?

Prior, Cruz, Hill and Choi were all top prospects at one point.

Let's hope these prospects end up better than those did.

In fact, if I remember correctly Prior and Cruz were the two best prospects in baseball.

[davell]

I think it's pretty realistic to say we have 8 top 150 guys(Rhee would make it 9 if he were healthy this year) but other than Vitters and Castro, it's probably a crapshoot as to who else actually makes the top 100. Cashner SHOULD and probably will, but I don't think he's 100% either. Both Jacksons will have a solid shot and I'd venture to say it's probably an 80% chance one or the other hits the top 100. Carpenter and Burke probably have the least chance of anyone, but both should be there by midseason next year, if they have solid first halves. Lee is the most interesting one to me, I definitely think he could skyrocket next year up these lists(like Castro most likely will have this year) but he MAY have done enough already to make a top 100 list. I'd say he's 50-50 personally.

 

In the end, I think we will wind up with at least 3 and probably 4 that end up in there.