Top 10 Minor League Prospects next year

[THISisTHEyear09]

Who will BA rank as the top ten cubs prospects?

[Little Slide Rooter]

my guesses: not necessarily in this order

 

Josh Vitters

Andrew Cashner

Jay Jackson

Chris Carpenter

Hak Ju Lee

Starlin Castro

Brett Jackson

Dae Eun Rhee

David LaMehieu

Tyler Colvin

[Vanilla Ice]

I would say there is a 100% chance Tyler Colvin does not make it

[Outshined_One]

I would say there is a 100% chance Tyler Colvin does not make it

 

There's a range of guys roughly from 7-15 who could be ranked pretty much in any order. Colvin would be among them, imo.

[Guest]

There's still a month to go which so things can change, especially for the new draftees and guys in short season.

 

I'd guess some combination of:

 

Josh Vitters

Starlin Castro

Andrew Cashner

Hak-Ju Lee

Chris Carpenter

Jay Jackson

Brett Jackson

Dae-Eun Rhee

DJ LeMahieu

Chris Archer

 

Steve Clevenger and Darwin Barney will probably have a strong chance too.

[toonsterwu]

If we're talking BA, my guess would be something like (again, specifically a BA oriented guess)

 

1. Josh Vitters

2. Andrew Cashner

3. Jay Jackson (We'll have to see how the rest of Jackson's season goes, but at midseason, either Callis or Manuel they indicated they thought he was a top 100 guy, ahead of Cashner/Castro. That said, reason I think Cashner goes ahead is because from what I understand, a lot of BA folks aren't as high on Jackson, so I can see the group debates going to Cashner. Again, a lot depends on how Jackson's season finishes).

4. Starlin Castro

5. Hak-ju Lee

6. Brett Jackson

7. Chris Carpenter (they were fairly high on his talent, outside of injury, but I think they go with the toolsy Jackson ahead of Carpenter).

 

It's tough to figure out 8-10, as I think most people would classify those 7 as the Cubs top 7 right now in some order. My best BA guess on 8-10

 

8. Dae-Eun Rhee (think of it as a BA draft pick nod ... a little background to go off of, a lot of upside and potential)

9. DJ LeMahieu (just a guess, but if LeMahieu finishes strong, I think he might get a top 10 nod)

10. Steve Clevenger (he was 11th last year, IIRC, and he certainly hasn't gone down)

 

Again, that's my best BA guess as of now. My top 10 isn't that different, but I wouldn't rank 8-10 that way.

[Vanilla Ice]

At the end of the season, I think it would be kind of cool to come up with an NSBB top 10 and debate over it as a group.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Basiacally, everyones seems in agreence that the top 9 are, in some order Vitters, Cashner, Jackson, Jackson, Carpenter, Rhee, Lee, Castro, LeMehieu, and number 10 is up for debate.

[Guest]

Basiacally, everyones seems in agreence that the top 9 are, in some order Vitters, Cashner, Jackson, Jackson, Carpenter, Rhee, Lee, Castro, LeMehieu, and number 10 is up for debate.

Rhee drops out of my top 10 until I see him pitch effectively again.

[Little Slide Rooter]

While I do stand by Colvin as my number 10, I think Casey Coleman deserves some consideration as a darkhorse.

[Vanilla Ice]

Basiacally, everyones seems in agreence that the top 9 are, in some order Vitters, Cashner, Jackson, Jackson, Carpenter, Rhee, Lee, Castro, LeMehieu, and number 10 is up for debate.

I don't think everybody thinks that Rhee and LeMahieu should be in there. There is also no chance Tyler Colvin makes my top 10.

 

EDIT: Also, some people may not think Brett Jackson should be that high.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Basiacally, everyones seems in agreence that the top 9 are, in some order Vitters, Cashner, Jackson, Jackson, Carpenter, Rhee, Lee, Castro, LeMehieu, and number 10 is up for debate.

I don't think everybody thinks that Rhee and LeMahieu should be in there. There is also no chance Tyler Colvin makes my top 10.

 

EDIT: Also, some people may not think Brett Jackson should be that high.

 

I didnt put Colvin in that list, just that hed be my #10.

[toonsterwu]

Basiacally, everyones seems in agreence that the top 9 are, in some order Vitters, Cashner, Jackson, Jackson, Carpenter, Rhee, Lee, Castro, LeMehieu, and number 10 is up for debate.

I don't think everybody thinks that Rhee and LeMahieu should be in there. There is also no chance Tyler Colvin makes my top 10.

 

EDIT: Also, some people may not think Brett Jackson should be that high.

 

If the reference is towards BA, though, I think BA will almost certainly have him in the top 10 due to their tools-oriented, organizational sources focus.

 

But sure, I can understand some people not buying into Jackson. As I've said before, I don't think you can really make any concrete judgment on Jackson until Daytona or Tennessee ... as he should dominate Peoria/Boise/AZL.

[CubsWin]

Basiacally, everyones seems in agreence that the top 9 are, in some order Vitters, Cashner, Jackson, Jackson, Carpenter, Rhee, Lee, Castro, LeMehieu, and number 10 is up for debate.

Rhee drops out of my top 10 until I see him pitch effectively again.

I concur about Rhee. Good upside, but I have no idea what his chances are of reaching it until we see how he's pitching now. LeMahieu could possibly be in the top ten by the end of the season. He's doing well so far in Peoria but we are only 21 ABs in. Maybe some people know enough about him to be able to make a call, but I don't.

 

For me, definitely Vitters and Castro, one and two. After that, I think Hak-Ju Lee and Cashner have to be in. Jay Jackson and Chris Carpenter are probably in but not as certain. That's six. I think we have to consider Jeffrey Antigua, Brett Jackson, Kyler Burke, Chris Archer, DJ LeMahieu, Tony Thomas, John Gaub and maybe some others I'm not thinking of right now. Dae-Eun Rhee, Larry Suarez and Roberto Hernandez probably don't make the top 10, but I think they should be included in the discussion.

 

Unfortunately, I lack so much information needed to make this call. I only have stats and some scouting reports. Those that know, help me out...

[Guest]

Larry Suarez had an extremely poor showing in the NWL (his control was horrid) and is back in the AZL (where he was once again solid in his debut). Robert Hernandez, while doing well in the NWL, is down one level after doing well in Peoria in 2007 (at age 18) and then not improving in a repeat at Peoria following his PED suspension in 2008. I don't think either of them belong anywhere near a top 10 discussion. If Antigua finishes strong at Peoria, he might have a chance at the top 10. Last year, Jim Callis said the player he would most likely regret not having in his Cubs top 30 was Antigua.

 

If this discussion is on who Baseball America will rank in the top 10, Dae-Eun Rhee will likely be right on the cusp of the list. Toonsterwu put it right in terms of BA's thinking:

 

8. Dae-Eun Rhee (think of it as a BA draft pick nod ... a little background to go off of, a lot of upside and potential)

 

FYI, from what I've read, he's pitching side sessions at Fitch and hasn't had any discomfort. The Cubs are being extremely cautious though and it seems like he won't return to in-game action till fall instructs.

[CubsWin]

Larry Suarez had an extremely poor showing in the NWL (his control was horrid) and is back in the AZL (where he was once again solid in his debut). Robert Hernandez, while doing well in the NWL, is down one level after doing well in Peoria in 2007 (at age 18) and then not improving in a repeat at Peoria following his PED suspension in 2008. I don't think either of them belong anywhere near a top 10 discussion. If Antigua finishes strong at Peoria, he might have a chance at the top 10. Last year, Jim Callis said the player he would most likely regret not having in his Cubs top 30 was Antigua.

 

If this discussion is on who Baseball America will rank in the top 10, Dae-Eun Rhee will likely be right on the cusp of the list. Toonsterwu put it right in terms of BA's thinking:

 

8. Dae-Eun Rhee (think of it as a BA draft pick nod ... a little background to go off of, a lot of upside and potential)

 

FYI, from what I've read, he's pitching side sessions at Fitch and hasn't had any discomfort. The Cubs are being extremely cautious though and it seems like he won't return to in-game action till fall instructs.

Cool, thanks.

 

I just figured if Rhee and his upside but no recent performance evidence would be included that we might as well throw Suarez in the mix who has had talk of a good upside as well, but to date has not shown a consistent ability to reach it.

 

Hernandez though, I will go to bat for. At 20, he is still age appropriate for the NWL and pitching well, if not great. A 3-1 strikeout to walks ratio, a K per inning and less than a hit per inning. He hasn't been dominant, and I have no idea what his stuff is like now, but those are the bench marks I look for and he's got 'em. Again, he's not in my top ten, but I think he's good enough to get mentioned. Am I way off here. Should he not even make the top 20? I don't know. I'm just going off stats and they only tell part of the story.

[Outshined_One]

Hernandez though, I will go to bat for. At 20, he is still age appropriate for the NWL and pitching well, if not great. A 3-1 strikeout to walks ratio, a K per inning and less than a hit per inning. He hasn't been dominant, and I have no idea what his stuff is like now, but those are the bench marks I look for and he's got 'em. Again, he's not in my top ten, but I think he's good enough to get mentioned. Am I way off here. Should he not even make the top 20? I don't know. I'm just going off stats and they only tell part of the story.

 

His previous suspension for steroid use gives me some pause when looking at the success he had early in his career. Moreover, while he is age-appropriate, his past production suggests that he should be pitching at a much higher level than the NWL. He's definitely an intriguing prospect and I wouldn't argue with someone for putting him in their Top 20. However, from my perspective, I'd prefer to wait and see.

[Guest]

Cool, thanks.

 

I just figured if Rhee and his upside but no recent performance evidence would be included that we might as well throw Suarez in the mix who has had talk of a good upside as well, but to date has not shown a consistent ability to reach it.

 

Hernandez though, I will go to bat for. At 20, he is still age appropriate for the NWL and pitching well, if not great. A 3-1 strikeout to walks ratio, a K per inning and less than a hit per inning. He hasn't been dominant, and I have no idea what his stuff is like now, but those are the bench marks I look for and he's got 'em. Again, he's not in my top ten, but I think he's good enough to get mentioned. Am I way off here. Should he not even make the top 20? I don't know. I'm just going off stats and they only tell part of the story.

 

I understand the skepticism with Rhee but when comparing him with Suarez, keep in mind Rhee had shown success at low-A ball before his surgery while Suarez has been limited to success at rookie ball (and major struggles at short season this year).

 

I'm probably the biggest Robert Hernandez fan at NSBB so I might not be the one to talk to. Good FB, great change, curve is improving from what I could tell. He's certainly age-appropriate and doing well in a hitter's league but I don't know how much credit you can give him for good numbers at a lower level then he has pitched the last two seasons.

[davell]

My guess for BA's next year top 10 would be.......

 

1 Vitters (top 30 overall)

2 Cashner (top 60)

3 Castro (top 75)

4 Jackson (top 100)

5 Lee ( will move into top 100 next year once he hits full season)

6 Carpenter(will move into top 100 with continued health next year)

7 B Jackson

8 Rhee

9 Searle

10 LeMahieu

 

 

Next 10.....

 

11 Burke

12 Coleman

13 Flaherty

14 Antigua

15 Watkins

16 Clevenger

17 Barney

18 Archer

19 Huseby

20 Castillo

 

21-30

 

21 McDaniel

22 M Smith

23 Thomas

24 Gaub

25 Colvin

26 Lake

27 Parker

28 Guyer

29 Cales

30 Jung (wont have pitched enough to warrant a higher ranking yet)

 

 

Overall system ranking improves to 13-16 range.

[Wrigley Rat]

My guess at BA's Top 10:

1. Josh Vitters

2. Andrew Cashner

3. Hak-Ju Lee

4. Starlin Castro

5. Brett Jackson

6. Jay Jackson

7. D.J. LeMahieu

8. Chris Carpenter

9. Welington Castillo

10. Kyler Burke

 

Mine is the same, but with these changes:

7. John Gaub

8. Blake Parker

9. D.J. LeMahieu

10. Jeff Stevens

 

These guys are part of my next 20, but I know I'm missing some guys:

Carpenter, Castillo, Antigua, Huseby, Burke, Flaherty, Archer, Coleman, Hernandez, Clevenger, Lake, Colvin, Beliveau, deLeon, Rhee, Rusin, Kirk, Raley, Jung.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I wouldnt refer to these guys as top prospects, at least not top 10, but some guys we should startto take seriously are Michael Brenley, Kyler Burke, Marquez Smith, and Rebel Ridling.

[toonsterwu]

I wouldnt refer to these guys as top prospects, at least not top 10, but some guys we should startto take seriously are Michael Brenley, Kyler Burke, Marquez Smith, and Rebel Ridling.

 

I'm a Rebel Ridling fan as O_O and Raisin now ... but he's been inconsistent this year. Overall, a very solid MWL line. I mean, considering our few guys with top end raw power in the system, he'll be around next year IMO (this isn't Ryan Norwood ... at least, I don't think so), but he's really got to shorten that swing and stay more consistent. I wouldn't mind him sacrificing some of that power if it makes him more consistent. Smith I think has risen up this year. He's still a guy who's probably a utility bench guy in the bigs, capable of handling 2nd/3rd, and maybe the corner OF's. Sort of like Clemson alum Jeff Baker, although he doesn't have the raw power of Baker.

 

Like Ridling, Burke has been a bit inconsistent this year as well, but he should be up in Daytona next year. It'll be a big year for him, as he's got to show year to year consistency. Brenly's been solid.

[Outshined_One]

I don't see any more than RH power option off the bench for Ridling in his future. He has very good power, but his other hitting tools are not particularly noteworthy for someone who's relegated to 1B. His defense isn't all that great, either.

[sandbergcubs]

from what ive seen out of daytona this year

 

1 Cashner

2 Castro

3 Vitters

4 Jackson

5 Lee

6 Carpenter

7 B Jackson

8 Gaub

9 Searle

10 LeMahieu

 

i could be way off about vitters, but its my opinion, he cant field awfully good, and his bat is inconsistent.

 

also im including Gaub and Searle am i the only one that thinks this?

 

maybe also parker, coleman and flaherty are gonna get up there fairly high too

[bubblesdachimp]

Hey yall! Long time reader first time poster. Love following the Cubs minor leagues and have really liked what I have seen from the farm this year. If I had to take a guess i would say the following would be the list.

 

1. Cashner (Just a great year all around)

2. Vitters (Great start not so hot since Daytona came)

3. Castro (Awesome year. He has put up better offensive numbers than Andrus did and they ranked him sooooo high)

4. Jackson, J. (I could see them taking a swipe at "makeup concerns")

5. Carpenter (Been really good. Hopefully he has a strong finish in Tennessee)

6. Jackson, B. (Will like his On base skills and hopefully he finishes off the year well in Peoria)

7. Lee (great tools and is so fast. A little more power would be nice but no reason to believe he wont be able to fill out with his frame.)

8. DJ (Good numbers since coming out of the Bayou)

9. Flaherty (Has done alright for a pitchers league. After rough start. I could be over-rating)

10. Rhee (With good instrucrts)

 

Missing cut

 

Antigua, Coleman, Burke