Cub prospects in the news

[toonsterwu]

Jackson's ranking in the Southern League makes me think he might crack the top 100. Cashner not showing up anywhere seems likely to be a sign that he won't make the list, which I can understand.

[Guest]

Justin (Illinois): Does the Cubs' system really look a lot better than it did at this time last year or is it just us lost in the cocoon of hope?

 

Kevin Goldstein: I'd say better, but I wouldn't say a lot better.

 

Flynnbot (Oak Park, IL): Tyler Colvin--is he someone worth getting our hopes up about?

 

Kevin Goldstein: Not really. Nice rebound year, but I think he'll have a nice career as a 4th OF/occasional starter as opposed to making a big impact.

 

http://baseballprospectus.com/chat/chat.php?chatId=660

[Cubswin11]

Jackson's ranking in the Southern League makes me think he might crack the top 100. Cashner not showing up anywhere seems likely to be a sign that he won't make the list, which I can understand.

Castro and Vitters are probably the only locks we have, and we have a few guys on the fringe that probably 1-2 will get in. Those being both Jackson's (Jay obviously has a better chance), Carpenter, Lee, Cashner and possibly Burke.

[Shilzzz]

I have no idea how to spell cocoon.

[Guest]

Flynnbot (Oak Park, IL): Tyler Colvin--is he someone worth getting our hopes up about?

 

Kevin Goldstein: Not really. Nice rebound year, but I think he'll have a nice career as a 4th OF/occasional starter as opposed to making a big impact.

 

http://baseballprospectus.com/chat/chat.php?chatId=660

Isn't that something to get excited about?

[jersey cubs fan]

Flynnbot (Oak Park, IL): Tyler Colvin--is he someone worth getting our hopes up about?

 

Kevin Goldstein: Not really. Nice rebound year, but I think he'll have a nice career as a 4th OF/occasional starter as opposed to making a big impact.

 

http://baseballprospectus.com/chat/chat.php?chatId=660

Isn't that something to get excited about?

 

Compared to a year ago maybe, but I feel that's been his calling since he was drafted - safe bet to make the majors, very unlikely to have much of an impact.

[toonsterwu]

Jackson's ranking in the Southern League makes me think he might crack the top 100. Cashner not showing up anywhere seems likely to be a sign that he won't make the list, which I can understand.

Castro and Vitters are probably the only locks we have, and we have a few guys on the fringe that probably 1-2 will get in. Those being both Jackson's (Jay obviously has a better chance), Carpenter, Lee, Cashner and possibly Burke.

 

After the huge plaudits that Callis gave on Brett Jackson, I'm not so sure that Jay has a better chance. I prefer Jay over Brett right now, if we were ranking them, but the way Callis made Brett sound, I'm not so sure that he feels that way.

 

As much as they goofed on some of the comments they made on Burke, I don't think he has a real shot at cracking the top 100, which isn't anything negative about him, as he had a superb season and really put himself back on the map.

[Guest]

Clay (Belmar, NJ) LIGHTNING ROUND: Which Cubs prospect is most likely to switch positions: Vitters, Castro, or H.J. Lee?

 

Jim Callis (2:44 PM) Let's head to the lightning round: Vitters.

 

Kyler Burke (Peoria) Am I a legitimate prospect now?

 

Jim Callis (2:48 PM) Yes. Nice step forward this year.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/espn-chat/2009/268994.html

[toonsterwu]

Clay (Belmar, NJ) LIGHTNING ROUND: Which Cubs prospect is most likely to switch positions: Vitters, Castro, or H.J. Lee?

 

Jim Callis (2:44 PM) Let's head to the lightning round: Vitters.

 

Kyler Burke (Peoria) Am I a legitimate prospect now?

 

Jim Callis (2:48 PM) Yes. Nice step forward this year.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/espn-chat/2009/268994.html

 

I guess on talent/ability, Vitters is more likely, but one of the shortstops will have to definitely switch a position if they develop.

 

It does make me wonder on the potential for one of the shortstops to go to 3rd, although I still think it's more likely that one of them goes to either 2nd (Castro) or CF (Lee). I wouldn't move Lee to 2nd as I think he can be better utilized in CF.

[Rob]

Clay (Belmar, NJ) LIGHTNING ROUND: Which Cubs prospect is most likely to switch positions: Vitters, Castro, or H.J. Lee?

 

Jim Callis (2:44 PM) Let's head to the lightning round: Vitters.

 

Kyler Burke (Peoria) Am I a legitimate prospect now?

 

Jim Callis (2:48 PM) Yes. Nice step forward this year.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/espn-chat/2009/268994.html

 

I guess on talent/ability, Vitters is more likely, but one of the shortstops will have to definitely switch a position if they develop.

 

It does make me wonder on the potential for one of the shortstops to go to 3rd, although I still think it's more likely that one of them goes to either 2nd (Castro) or CF (Lee). I wouldn't move Lee to 2nd as I think he can be better utilized in CF.

 

If Castro makes it to the bigs as a SS and it looks like he's gonna be able to stay there, I wouldn't be surprised for Lee to turn into trade bait.

[davell]

Clay (Belmar, NJ) LIGHTNING ROUND: Which Cubs prospect is most likely to switch positions: Vitters, Castro, or H.J. Lee?

 

Jim Callis (2:44 PM) Let's head to the lightning round: Vitters.

 

Kyler Burke (Peoria) Am I a legitimate prospect now?

 

Jim Callis (2:48 PM) Yes. Nice step forward this year.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/espn-chat/2009/268994.html

 

I guess on talent/ability, Vitters is more likely, but one of the shortstops will have to definitely switch a position if they develop.

 

It does make me wonder on the potential for one of the shortstops to go to 3rd, although I still think it's more likely that one of them goes to either 2nd (Castro) or CF (Lee). I wouldn't move Lee to 2nd as I think he can be better utilized in CF.

 

If Castro makes it to the bigs as a SS and it looks like he's gonna be able to stay there, I wouldn't be surprised for Lee to turn into trade bait.

 

I kind of like the idea of at least TRYING to turn him into a CFer at that point. I'd like to see as many home grown guys as possible.

[toonsterwu]

I like the idea of Lee in CF because it would give us a plus range guy who potentially could also hit at the top of the lineup.

 

Btw, does anyone know anything about Jason James? 5'10" 175 lb from thebaseballcube. Drafted by Mets in the 32nd round in 2004, but spent the last 3 years in Indy League. I bring it up because, scanning JJ Cooper's chat on the Indy League, he notes that James had the best swing in Indy Leagues this year and signed with us. Sounds mildly intriguing, but don't know about his range or power projection (although I'd guess that it wasn't great).

 

Sounds mildly interesting, although it could be another typical Indy League signing that we won't hear much of in a few years.

[Wrigley Rat]

Btw, does anyone know anything about Jason James? 5'10" 175 lb from thebaseballcube. Drafted by Mets in the 32nd round in 2004, but spent the last 3 years in Indy League. I bring it up because, scanning JJ Cooper's chat on the Indy League, he notes that James had the best swing in Indy Leagues this year and signed with us. Sounds mildly intriguing, but don't know about his range or power projection (although I'd guess that it wasn't great).

 

Sounds mildly interesting, although it could be another typical Indy League signing that we won't hear much of in a few years.

Good find toonster - The Cubs lack outfield depth at AA and High A, so I figure if James is healthy, he will report to Daytona to start the season. He will be 24 this year and that is old for that level, so he would be a good bet to go to AA by the All-Star break if he's keeping up, otherwise he's likely to be released.

[Serge]

Ummmm....

Joe P. (Las Vegas, NV)

 

Starlin Castro for the Cubs has been getting a lot of positive hype lately. Would you say he has surpassed Vitters as the Cubs #1 prospect now?

Jim Callis (2:07 PM)

 

Yes, yes I would. I've begun my prep for the Cubs Top 30 this week, and right now I would put Castro at No. 1 and Brett Jackson at No. 2, with Vitters at No. 3.

[Guest]

Ummmm....

Joe P. (Las Vegas, NV)

 

Starlin Castro for the Cubs has been getting a lot of positive hype lately. Would you say he has surpassed Vitters as the Cubs #1 prospect now?

Jim Callis (2:07 PM)

 

Yes, yes I would. I've begun my prep for the Cubs Top 30 this week, and right now I would put Castro at No. 1 and Brett Jackson at No. 2, with Vitters at No. 3.

:shock:

[Guest]

Ummmm....

Joe P. (Las Vegas, NV)

 

Starlin Castro for the Cubs has been getting a lot of positive hype lately. Would you say he has surpassed Vitters as the Cubs #1 prospect now?

Jim Callis (2:07 PM)

 

Yes, yes I would. I've begun my prep for the Cubs Top 30 this week, and right now I would put Castro at No. 1 and Brett Jackson at No. 2, with Vitters at No. 3.

:shock:

My guess would be health. With Vitters health is a major concern, at least for me. That and his hack away style.

[davell]

I'm starting to wonder if Vitters could fall into the 75ish area on the BA top 100.

[Guest]

I'm starting to wonder if Vitters could fall into the 75ish area on the BA top 100.

I'm starting to wonder how high Brett Jackson is going to be.

[Serge]

I'm starting to wonder if Vitters could fall into the 75ish area on the BA top 100.

I'm starting to wonder how high Brett Jackson is going to be.

 

Yeah, we might be talking top 50. Callis is absolutely gushing over him at almost every opportunity.

[Guest]

Between the MWL chat and this, Jim Callis is extremely high on Brett Jackson. Way too high, if you ask me.

[Guest]

Between the MWL chat and this, Jim Callis is extremely high on Brett Jackson. Way too high, if you ask me.

agreed

[Serge]

Between the MWL chat and this, Jim Callis is extremely high on Brett Jackson. Way too high, if you ask me.

 

I agree, this is kind of reminding me of his man-crush on Lars Anderson.

[davell]

If Jackson can turn into a solid CFer whp has 20/20 ability with solid OBP as well, he'd be worth a ton though. Maybe that's what Callis is thinking?

[Guest]

If Jackson can turn into a solid CFer whp has 20/20 ability with solid OBP as well, he'd be worth a ton though. Maybe that's what Callis is thinking?

 

Jackson's ceiling is nice but he, just like Vitters, has major question marks. And Vitters definitely has a higher ceiling than Jackson. All while Jackson is older and hasn't even taken a stab at high-A.

[davell]

Contact is about his only question mark though, isn't it? Granted, it's obviously a huge one. Or are we thinking power is still a question as well?