Cub prospects in the news

[toonsterwu]

Just for fun, but I thought it was interesting to read the scouts quote that Knobler had in the article. The entire Concepcion blurb -

 

-- The Cubs spent $6 million and a 40-man roster spot on 20-year-old Cuban pitcher Gerardo Concepcion, but scouts who have seen him pitch in the Class A Midwest League have come away totally unimpressed. "They're trying to tell people it's just mechanics that he needs to get straightened out," one scout said. "But I'm telling you, he stinks. If he was in a junior college game you were at, you'd leave." Concepcion is 2-6 with a 7.39 ERA in 12 starts for Peoria.

[Guest]

Ask BA[/url]"]What's the story on Jae-Hoon Ha? I had never heard much about him before the Futures Game, where he had a homer and a single. Is he the starting center fielder of the future for the Cubs?

 

Matt Mallian

Cary, N.C.

 

Ha delivered the most shocking blow of the Futures Game, a two-run homer to the opposite field off a 95-mph fastball from Pirates righthander Gerrit Cole, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft. In 143 Double-A games over the last two seasons, Ha has gone deep just six times.

 

Originally signed as a catcher out of Korea in 2008, Ha developed the yips making throws to second base and moved to the outfield. He stands out most for his quality defense in center field, where his plus speed and outstanding jumps give him plenty of range. He has a short righthanded stroke and has leveled off in Double-A (.267/.321/.371) after showing some pop in the lower minors. His speed has yet to translate into basestealing.

 

While he's still just 21, Ha may not make enough offensive impact to be a big league regular. On the Cubs' center-field depth chart, Ha ranks behind Albert Almora, Brett Jackson and Matt Szczur, though he's the best defender of that group.

[Guest]

Phil Rogers' Cubs midseason report: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/chicago-cubs/2012/2613693.html

 

Best Player: Anthony Rizzo

Biggest Leap Forward: Arismendy Alcantara

Biggest Disappointment: Ronald Torreyes

[Guest]

BA's collaboration with beat writers is easily my least favorite thing about them.

[Guest]

BA's collaboration with beat writers is easily my least favorite thing about them.

Definitely agreed.

[Guest]

Goldstein forecasts the 2013 Futures game rosters: http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8156834/mlb-forecasting-2013-futures-game-rosters

 

Baez and Soler on the World team are the only Cubs.

 

...Javier Baez, who while also not a shortstop for the long term, is one of the best hitting prospects in the minors.

 

Just because of the dynamic of this year's international market before the new rules went into place on July 2, [Jorge] Soler and Yasel Puig are already household names, and this is a nice event to keep the hype going. Helping the cause is that both could put up some big numbers in the power department next year.

[Guest]

Goldstein forecasts the 2013 Futures game rosters: http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8156834/mlb-forecasting-2013-futures-game-rosters

 

Baez and Soler on the World team are the only Cubs.

 

...Javier Baez, who while also not a shortstop for the long term, is one of the best hitting prospects in the minors.

 

Just because of the dynamic of this year's international market before the new rules went into place on July 2, [Jorge] Soler and Yasel Puig are already household names, and this is a nice event to keep the hype going. Helping the cause is that both could put up some big numbers in the power department next year.

 

I believe only the All-Star host can get more than 2 players. Those seem the logical choices for the Cubs in 2013, especially since they try to get a rep from each country.

[Little Slide Rooter]

@keithlaw: Wil Myers & Matt Harvey. Some others - Marte, Calhoun, Hech, Eaton, Vitters, Lavarnway. RT @ProfBriHi: Anyone to watch in 3A #ASG?

 

Nice to see Vitters getting some love from Law.

[davell]

Not really, he followed it up by saying he's a name, but he's not really back on the bandwagon.

[imb]

man, im so ready to see soler and almora in some box scores

[davell]

man, im so ready to see soler and almora in some box scores

We'll be overloaded between those two and the new important guys we're trading for.

[Guest]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2012/2613725.html

 

No. 2 JAVIER BAEZ, SS CUBS

Team: low Class A Peoria (Midwest)

Age: 19

Why He's Here: .435/.435/.870 (10-for-23), 1 2B, 3 HR, 5 R, 3 RBIs, 0 BB, 3 SO, 2-2 SB

The Scoop: The Cubs passed over several college arms to draft Baez with the ninth overall pick in 2011, and he has not disappointed in his first full season as a pro. Batting .308/.374/.526 with seven homers through 37 games, the Puerto Rico-born shortstop has hit safely in each of his last eight games and has homered in two of his last three. Despite just average speed, he has also stolen 14 bags this season. With bat speed that has prompted comparisons with Gary Sheffield and Hanley Ramirez, Baez has tremendous upside and could move quickly through the minors, especially if he continues to produce like has at the plate.

 

While Anthony Rizzo was bashing his way to Chicago, SS Arismendy Alcantara's excellent season for high Class A Daytona may be an even more promising development. After all, Rizzo's power surge isn't much of a surprise, but Alcantara's emergence as a rangy shortstop who can hit is a very pleasant surprise for the Cubs. The 20-year-old hit .400/.500/.850 this week and is slugging a very respectable .447 this season while swiping 25 bags in 29 tries in the Florida State League.

[Clem Fandango]

FWIW, saw this on Rotoworld

 

Cubs' prospects Brett Jackson and Josh Vitters are expected to be promoted to the majors this season.

"But it's not a given," GM Jed Hoyer said. "Those guys need to force the issue. Like we talked about with [Anthony] Rizzo, when they sort of really prove to us that they're ready and make it clear, then I think that's something we'll see. We really wanted to make that a precedent, of when a prospect like that really bangs on the door, they get up here."

[Little Slide Rooter]

FWIW, saw this on Rotoworld

 

Cubs' prospects Brett Jackson and Josh Vitters are expected to be promoted to the majors this season.

"But it's not a given," GM Jed Hoyer said. "Those guys need to force the issue. Like we talked about with [Anthony] Rizzo, when they sort of really prove to us that they're ready and make it clear, then I think that's something we'll see. We really wanted to make that a precedent, of when a prospect like that really bangs on the door, they get up here."

 

We can argue whether or not they're ready until we're blue in the face. However, to me what it boils down to is that if Hoyer and Epstein feel as though they're ready, or at least that there's no longer any benefit to them staying in AAA or harm in calling them up, I trust their judgement over anyone else's.

[Guancous]

From Kevin Goldstein:

 

Javier Baez, SS, Cubs (Low-A Peoria)

Baez was at it again over the weekend, going 7-for-12 with a double, two triples and a home run, lifting his season line to .331/.394/.586 since joining the Chiefs in late May. Expected to be awfully good, Baez has actually exceeded those expectations, earning 70 or higher scouting grades for both his hit and power tools. He's eclipsed Minnesota's Miguel Sano in the eyes of most as the top all-around offensive prospect in the Midwest League, and he's one of the top offensive prospects in any league.

[Guest]

Top Weekend Batting Performances from BA

 

• Speaking of hot starts by teenage infielders, Cubs shortstop Javier Baez has smashed 17 extra-base hits in 40 games for low Class A Peoria while batting .331/.394/.586 in 145 at-bats. Chicago drafted him ninth overall in 2011 from a Jacksonville high school.

 

Noteworthy Performance In Short-Season League Play

 

Cubs first baseman Dan Vogelbach, a second-round pick last year, continues to rake in the Rookie-level Arizona League, going 5-for-9 with a homer and three doubles over the weekend. His OPS stands at 1.173 through 79 at-bats.

[ctcf]

From Kevin Goldstein:

 

Javier Baez, SS, Cubs (Low-A Peoria)

Baez was at it again over the weekend, going 7-for-12 with a double, two triples and a home run, lifting his season line to .331/.394/.586 since joining the Chiefs in late May. Expected to be awfully good, Baez has actually exceeded those expectations, earning 70 or higher scouting grades for both his hit and power tools. He's eclipsed Minnesota's Miguel Sano in the eyes of most as the top all-around offensive prospect in the Midwest League, and he's one of the top offensive prospects in any league.

 

That is some high freakin' praise.

[El Duderino]

Trey Martin was named NWL player of the week.

[Guest]

Trey Martin was named NWL player of the week.

And Javier Baez was (unsurprisingly) named MWL player of the week.

[Guest]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/ask-ba/2012/2613732.html

 

If June draftees and international players who signed recently were eligible for Baseball America's Midseason Top 50 Prospects List, how many of them would make it? Where would they appear on the list?

 

John Finley

Chagrin Falls, Ohio

John asked the same question last year, when the draft was loaded with talent and I thought six of the recent picks deserved to rank ahead of our No. 20 prospect (Desmond Jennings).

This year's crop isn't as bountiful, but then again, neither is our midseason Top 50, which a year ago began with Bryce Harper, Mike Trout and Matt Moore. I wouldn't put any of the 2012 draftees in front of our current No. 20 prospect (Shelby Miller), but I do have No. 2 overall choice Byron Buxton checking in ahead of fellow Twins prospect Miguel Sano, who ranked 22nd on the Top 50.

 

Next comes No. 1 overall pick Carlos Correa (Astros), right behind two other shortstops, one with an electrifying bat (Javier Baez of the Cubs, No. 25) and one who's the most exciting player in the minors (Billy Hamilton of the Reds, No. 27). I'd put five more draftees in the middle of the list, and had the Pirates signed Mark Appel, he'd fit between Yankees outfielder Mason Williams (No. 28) and No. 3 overall pick Mike Zunino (Mariners).

 

As for the international class, Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler would crack the Top 50 after signing a $30 million contract with the Cubs. He fits among other players at the same position, behind Starling Marte (Pirates, No. 36) and ahead of Jake Marisnick (Blue Jays, No. 37), Anthony Gose (Blue Jays, No. 38) and Tyler Austin (Yankees, No. 39).

 

Another Cuban outfielder, Yasiel Puig, signed with the Dodgers for $42 million. But as we discussed in the July 2 Ask BA, many teams thought Puig's contract far outstripped his talent.

 

Below is our midseason Top 50, with 2012 draftees inserted in bold:

 

1. Dylan Bundy, rhp, Orioles

2. Jurickson Profar, ss, Rangers

3. Wil Myers, of, Royals

4. Taijuan Walker, rhp, Mariners

5. Danny Hultzen, lhp, Mariners

6. Gerrit Cole, rhp, Pirates

7. Tyler Skaggs, lhp, Diamondbacks

8. Jose Fernandez, rhp, Marlins

9. Manny Machado, ss, Orioles

10. Zack Wheeler, rhp, Mets

11. Mike Olt, 3b, Rangers

12. Nick Castellanos, 3b, Tigers

13. Matt Barnes, rhp, Red Sox

14. Francisco Lindor, ss, Indians

15. Jameson Taillon, rhp, Pirates

16. Archie Bradley, rhp, Diamondbacks

17. Nolan Arenado, 3b, Rockies

18. Oscar Taveras, of, Cardinals

19. Travis d'Arnaud, c, Blue Jays

20. Shelby Miller, rhp, Cardinals

21. Christian Yelich, of, Marlins

Byron Buxton, of, Twins (No. 2 overall pick)

22. Miguel Sano, 3b, Twins

23. Jonathan Singleton, 1b, Astros

24. Julio Teheran, rhp, Braves

25. Javier Baez, ss, Cubs

26. Carlos Martinez, rhp, Cardinals

27. Billy Hamilton, ss, Reds

Carlos Correa, ss, Astros (No. 1 overall pick)

28. Mason Williams, of, Yankees

Mike Zunino, c, Mariners (No. 3 overall pick)

Kevin Gausman, rhp, Orioles (No. 4 overall pick)

29. Jake Odorizzi, rhp, Royals

30. Gary Sanchez, c, Yankees

31. Xander Bogaerts, ss, Red Sox

Max Fried, lhp, Padres (No. 7 overall pick)

Kyle Zimmer, rhp, Royals (No. 5 overall pick)

Albert Almora, of, Cubs (No. 6 overall pick)

32. Jackie Bradley, of, Red Sox

33. Matt Davidson, 3b, Diamondbacks

34. Matt Harvey, rhp, Mets

35. Nick Franklin, ss, Mariners

36. Starling Marte, of, Pirates

Jorge Soler, of, Cubs

37. Jake Marisnick, of, Blue Jays

38. Anthony Gose, of, Blue Jays

39. Tyler Austin, of, Yankees

40. Alen Hanson, ss, Pirates

41. Cody Buckel, rhp, Rangers

42. James Paxton, lhp, Mariners

43. Jean Segura, 2b/ss, Angels

44. Kolten Wong, 2b, Cardinals

45. George Springer, of, Astros

46. Bubba Starling, of, Royals

47. Hak-Ju Lee, ss, Rays

48. Tyler Thornburg, rhp, Brewers

49. Zach Lee, rhp, Dodgers

50. Jedd Gyorko, 3b, Padres

 

That means Baez is 26, Almora is 38 and Soler is 44.

[rawaction]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/ask-ba/2012/2613732.html

 

If June draftees and international players who signed recently were eligible for Baseball America's Midseason Top 50 Prospects List, how many of them would make it? Where would they appear on the list?

 

John Finley

Chagrin Falls, Ohio

John asked the same question last year, when the draft was loaded with talent and I thought six of the recent picks deserved to rank ahead of our No. 20 prospect (Desmond Jennings).

This year's crop isn't as bountiful, but then again, neither is our midseason Top 50, which a year ago began with Bryce Harper, Mike Trout and Matt Moore. I wouldn't put any of the 2012 draftees in front of our current No. 20 prospect (Shelby Miller), but I do have No. 2 overall choice Byron Buxton checking in ahead of fellow Twins prospect Miguel Sano, who ranked 22nd on the Top 50.

 

Next comes No. 1 overall pick Carlos Correa (Astros), right behind two other shortstops, one with an electrifying bat (Javier Baez of the Cubs, No. 25) and one who's the most exciting player in the minors (Billy Hamilton of the Reds, No. 27). I'd put five more draftees in the middle of the list, and had the Pirates signed Mark Appel, he'd fit between Yankees outfielder Mason Williams (No. 28) and No. 3 overall pick Mike Zunino (Mariners).

 

As for the international class, Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler would crack the Top 50 after signing a $30 million contract with the Cubs. He fits among other players at the same position, behind Starling Marte (Pirates, No. 36) and ahead of Jake Marisnick (Blue Jays, No. 37), Anthony Gose (Blue Jays, No. 38) and Tyler Austin (Yankees, No. 39).

 

Another Cuban outfielder, Yasiel Puig, signed with the Dodgers for $42 million. But as we discussed in the July 2 Ask BA, many teams thought Puig's contract far outstripped his talent.

 

Below is our midseason Top 50, with 2012 draftees inserted in bold:

 

1. Dylan Bundy, rhp, Orioles

2. Jurickson Profar, ss, Rangers

3. Wil Myers, of, Royals

4. Taijuan Walker, rhp, Mariners

5. Danny Hultzen, lhp, Mariners

6. Gerrit Cole, rhp, Pirates

7. Tyler Skaggs, lhp, Diamondbacks

8. Jose Fernandez, rhp, Marlins

9. Manny Machado, ss, Orioles

10. Zack Wheeler, rhp, Mets

11. Mike Olt, 3b, Rangers

12. Nick Castellanos, 3b, Tigers

13. Matt Barnes, rhp, Red Sox

14. Francisco Lindor, ss, Indians

15. Jameson Taillon, rhp, Pirates

16. Archie Bradley, rhp, Diamondbacks

17. Nolan Arenado, 3b, Rockies

18. Oscar Taveras, of, Cardinals

19. Travis d'Arnaud, c, Blue Jays

20. Shelby Miller, rhp, Cardinals

21. Christian Yelich, of, Marlins

Byron Buxton, of, Twins (No. 2 overall pick)

22. Miguel Sano, 3b, Twins

23. Jonathan Singleton, 1b, Astros

24. Julio Teheran, rhp, Braves

25. Javier Baez, ss, Cubs

26. Carlos Martinez, rhp, Cardinals

27. Billy Hamilton, ss, Reds

Carlos Correa, ss, Astros (No. 1 overall pick)

28. Mason Williams, of, Yankees

Mike Zunino, c, Mariners (No. 3 overall pick)

Kevin Gausman, rhp, Orioles (No. 4 overall pick)

29. Jake Odorizzi, rhp, Royals

30. Gary Sanchez, c, Yankees

31. Xander Bogaerts, ss, Red Sox

Max Fried, lhp, Padres (No. 7 overall pick)

Kyle Zimmer, rhp, Royals (No. 5 overall pick)

Albert Almora, of, Cubs (No. 6 overall pick)

32. Jackie Bradley, of, Red Sox

33. Matt Davidson, 3b, Diamondbacks

34. Matt Harvey, rhp, Mets

35. Nick Franklin, ss, Mariners

36. Starling Marte, of, Pirates

Jorge Soler, of, Cubs

37. Jake Marisnick, of, Blue Jays

38. Anthony Gose, of, Blue Jays

39. Tyler Austin, of, Yankees

40. Alen Hanson, ss, Pirates

41. Cody Buckel, rhp, Rangers

42. James Paxton, lhp, Mariners

43. Jean Segura, 2b/ss, Angels

44. Kolten Wong, 2b, Cardinals

45. George Springer, of, Astros

46. Bubba Starling, of, Royals

47. Hak-Ju Lee, ss, Rays

48. Tyler Thornburg, rhp, Brewers

49. Zach Lee, rhp, Dodgers

50. Jedd Gyorko, 3b, Padres

 

That means Baez is 26, Almora is 38 and Soler is 44.

 

I'll take that. If the Cubs get one more for Garza (doesn't appear very likely), that would be outstanding.

[davell]

I'm starting to question my assumption we'll definitely be a top 10 system after the deadline by BA. I actually doubt we've got a 4th guy in the top 100 right now.

[Guest]

 

I'll take that. If the Cubs get one more for Garza (doesn't appear very likely), that would be outstanding.

 

Why do you say that?

[rawaction]

 

I'll take that. If the Cubs get one more for Garza (doesn't appear very likely), that would be outstanding.

 

Why do you say that?

 

The top 10 aren't going anywhere. Only players I can see in the top 20 going are Olt and Castellanos, and I'd think both would take some big time convincing from Theo and co. After that, the only guys I see that MIGHT be made available AND their team is looking for pitching are Bogearts, maybe one of the Jays' OFs, and maybe Zach Lee from the Dodgers.

 

So, that's 5 guys in the top 50 that I think are realistic. Maybe the Cubs pull off a trade for one of them, and maybe even Shelby Miller comes into play in a divisional trade, but I'd rate all of these players as long shots right now.

[Guest]

 

I'll take that. If the Cubs get one more for Garza (doesn't appear very likely), that would be outstanding.

 

Why do you say that?

 

The top 10 aren't going anywhere. Only players I can see in the top 20 going are Olt and Castellanos, and I'd think both would take some big time convincing from Theo and co. After that, the only guys I see that MIGHT be made available AND their team is looking for pitching are Bogearts, maybe one of the Jays' OFs, and maybe Zach Lee from the Dodgers.

 

So, that's 5 guys in the top 50 that I think are realistic. Maybe the Cubs pull off a trade for one of them, and maybe even Shelby Miller comes into play in a divisional trade, but I'd rate all of these players as long shots right now.

 

I honestly expect one of those to happen. I guess we'll see.