NSBB Prospect Rankings

[Little Slide Rooter]

so..when does Dolis sniff the majors?

 

I'd think that Beliveau should be first in line. He just has a $7.5 mil waste of space in front of him.

[fiver]

so..when does Dolis sniff the majors?

 

I'd think that Beliveau should be first in line. He just has a $7.5 mil waste of space in front of him.

 

fair enough....Beliveau has been more dominant than Dolis. They both may be viable bullpen options at this point....need to see what they can do.

[Little Slide Rooter]

so..when does Dolis sniff the majors?

 

I'd think that Beliveau should be first in line. He just has a $7.5 mil waste of space in front of him.

 

fair enough....Beliveau has been more dominant than Dolis. They both may be viable bullpen options at this point....need to see what they can do.

 

Knowing the Cubs, they'll promote them to Iowa and call up stupid Justin Berg and Jeff Stevens in September.

[Guest]

Lazy afternoon at the office so I tried to put together a post draft deadline top 30. Not really happy with the back half and I seemingly gave the tie to upside at every chance:

 

1. Brett Jackson

2. Javier Baez

3. Matt Szczur

4. Trey McNutt

5. Dillon Maples

6. Jae-Hoon Ha

7. Josh Vitters

8. Dan Vogelbach

9. Welington Castillo

10. Reggie Golden

11. Robert Whitenack

12. Ryan Flaherty

13. Jeimer Candelario

14. Marco Hernandez

15. Ben Wells

16. Aaron Kurcz

17. DJ LeMahieu

18. Dae-Eun Rhee

19. Nick Struck

20. Shawon Dunston Jr.

21. Dallas Beeler

22. Jeff Beliveau

23. Chris Carpenter

24. Willengton Cruz

25. Gioskar Amaya

26. Rafael Dolis

27. Tony Zych

28. Tayler Scott

29. John Gaub

30. Yao-Lin Wang

[Little Slide Rooter]

Nice list, but I'd have to think that Logan Watkins has squeezed his way back in there, perhaps in place of John Gaub. Maybe even Evan Crawford.

[Guest]

Evan Crawford isn't in my top 50.

 

Watkins was right there, but I think he'll be a big league utility guy and I'd rather go with Gaub in that case since he has the potential to be a high leverage late inning reliever. Also, I prefer Marwin Gonzalez to Watkins.

[toonsterwu]

Been dabbling with a new list ... should be done with it soon ... i think the major difference that i can quickly note is that I have Struck/Beeler/Rhee a few slots higher as of now. Still trying to figure out how I'm going to deal with the low level/high upside guys, though. Was planning on posting at Sickels, so tagging grades along, but really, after the top few, it's mostly C+'s.

[toonsterwu]

Evan Crawford isn't in my top 50.

 

Watkins was right there, but I think he'll be a big league utility guy and I'd rather go with Gaub in that case since he has the potential to be a high leverage late inning reliever. Also, I prefer Marwin Gonzalez to Watkins.

 

The comp I'd make is why Amaya over Watkins? I'm not ready to go that high on Amaya yet, at least as of this run through. Both likely won't stick at short. Not sold that Amaya has a better hit tool than Watkins.

 

I also think, as of now, that I'm going to get Clevenger in my top 30. The reports on his improved defense is enough for me, I think, to get him in there as an upper level, close to ready guy.

[Rob]

Good money says Junior Lake will be higher on my list than anybody elses... which is something I just don't get. Yeah, the plate discipline issues are glaring, but he's gone 34 for 40 on the bases and hit .279/.312/.432 across the FSL and SL at age 21 and may still stick at SS.

 

With his tools, I'm not giving up on him until I absolutely have to.

[davell]

1 B Jackson

2 Baez

3 Szczur

4 McNutt

5 Maples

6 Vitters

7 Ha

8 Candelario

9 Vogelbach

10 Struck

11 LeMahieu

12 Antigua

13 Rhee

14 Whitenack

15 Golden

16 Dolis

17 Hernandez

18 Beeler

19 Watkins

20 Beliveau

21 Flaherty

22 Wells

23 Castillo

24 Dunston Jr

25 DeVoss

26 M Gonzalez

27 Kurcz

28 Rusin

29 Amaya

30 Rosario

 

I figure I'm higher on LeMahieu than everyone and probably lower on Castillo than most. Could have easily put Zych and Scott near the bottom, just didn't. Could be way off on Antigua but he really has impressed me in Daytona.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Good money says Junior Lake will be higher on my list than anybody elses... which is something I just don't get. Yeah, the plate discipline issues are glaring, but he's gone 34 for 40 on the bases and hit .279/.312/.432 across the FSL and SL at age 21 and may still stick at SS.

 

With his tools, I'm not giving up on him until I absolutely have to.

 

Completely agreed.

 

Davell, you're not higher on LeMahieu than I, since I'd put him above Struck.

[imb]

glaring lack of easterling on this page

[Guest]

glaring lack of easterling on this page

That's the sexiest top 10.

[Rob]

glaring lack of easterling on this page

That's the sexiest top 1.

 

fixed

[Guest]

Amaya vs Watkins: Amaya projects for more power and I could see his bat starting at 2B. Obviously Watkins has the advantage on defense/speed.

 

Lake: He's right there at the edge of my top 30. I know where you're coming from, Rob. It's just hard to rate him much higher when his plate discipline is so poor and doesn't appear to be improving whatsoever.

[StarlinOnYou]

What about Searle?

[toonsterwu]

glaring lack of easterling on this page

 

Until he starts to show some polish on his tools, it's hard for me to put him in the top 30. I mean, I'm not sure I'm going to have Junior Lake in my top 30, but he's far more deserving than Easterling.

[javy knows my name]

glaring lack of easterling on this page

 

Until he starts to show some polish on his tools, it's hard for me to put him in the top 30. I mean, I'm not sure I'm going to have Junior Lake in my top 30, but he's far more deserving than Easterling.

 

I thought tspain already polished his tool.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I've enjoyed it as much as anyone, but I think it might be time to let the Tspain/Eastering schtick die.

[Hrubes20]

1 B Jackson

2 Baez

3 Szczur

4 McNutt

5 Maples

6 Vitters

7 Ha

8 Candelario

9 Vogelbach

10 Struck

11 LeMahieu

12 Antigua

13 Rhee

14 Whitenack

15 Golden

16 Dolis

17 Hernandez

18 Beeler

19 Watkins

20 Beliveau

21 Flaherty

22 Wells

23 Castillo

24 Dunston Jr

25 DeVoss

26 M Gonzalez

27 Kurcz

28 Rusin

29 Amaya

30 Rosario

 

I figure I'm higher on LeMahieu than everyone and probably lower on Castillo than most. Could have easily put Zych and Scott near the bottom, just didn't. Could be way off on Antigua but he really has impressed me in Daytona.

 

Candelerio at 8? No offense, but that's borderline ridiculous. Until a player does something stateside, against better competition, they should probably be kept at the back end of the top 20 at best, regardless of bonus amounts.

[Little Slide Rooter]

1 B Jackson

2 Baez

3 Szczur

4 McNutt

5 Maples

6 Vitters

7 Ha

8 Candelario

9 Vogelbach

10 Struck

11 LeMahieu

12 Antigua

13 Rhee

14 Whitenack

15 Golden

16 Dolis

17 Hernandez

18 Beeler

19 Watkins

20 Beliveau

21 Flaherty

22 Wells

23 Castillo

24 Dunston Jr

25 DeVoss

26 M Gonzalez

27 Kurcz

28 Rusin

29 Amaya

30 Rosario

 

I figure I'm higher on LeMahieu than everyone and probably lower on Castillo than most. Could have easily put Zych and Scott near the bottom, just didn't. Could be way off on Antigua but he really has impressed me in Daytona.

 

Candelerio at 8? No offense, but that's borderline ridiculous. Until a player does something stateside, against better competition, they should probably be kept at the back end of the top 20 at best, regardless of bonus amounts.

 

Why should he be any different than guys like Baez, Maples, and Vogelbombbach who have only done what they've done against high schoolers?

[davell]

Very well aware Candelario has yet to show us anything over here yet. My guess is he'll be somewhere in the 20 to 25 range when BA comes out with their top 30. I'm putting him this high because of the plate discipline and the power potential combo along with what looks to be at least a plus hit tool as well. Badler thinks he's the best prospect in the DSL and considering how our system is most likely muddled after the top 4 anyway, I'm going with perceived upside with my list. His bonus doesn't mean anything to me, nor was it anything ridiculously eye opening anyway. 500k is nice but it doesn't automatically get you a spot either. If Acosta or Malave or marcano don't thoroughly dominate the DSL next year then they won't make my list next year either. On the other hand I look at what Candelario has done this year as one of the biggest stories throughout the Cubs minors this year.

[Guest]

Very well aware Candelario has yet to show us anything over here yet. My guess is he'll be somewhere in the 20 to 25 range when BA comes out with their top 30. I'm putting him this high because of the plate discipline and the power potential combo along with what looks to be at least a plus hit tool as well. Badler thinks he's the best prospect in the DSL and considering how our system is most likely muddled after the top 4 anyway, I'm going with perceived upside with my list. His bonus doesn't mean anything to me, nor was it anything ridiculously eye opening anyway. 500k is nice but it doesn't automatically get you a spot either. If Acosta or Malave or marcano don't thoroughly dominate the DSL next year then they won't make my list next year either. On the other hand I look at what Candelario has done this year as one of the biggest stories throughout the Cubs minors this year.

 

I'm guessing BA will slot Candelario in the top 15. I wouldn't be surprised if one or both Acosta and Malave make their top 30 too - BA is super aggressive in ranking top flight international signees.

[Outshined_One]

Let's see if I can make some sense of this system. Things are pretty damned murky at the moment. Here's my crack at a Top 20.

 

1) OF Brett Jackson - Still a believer, thinking the Ray Lankford comp is merited. B+

2) OF Matt Szczur - Despite the recent struggles, I think he'll come around. B

3) IF Javier Baez - This seems about right. Excited to see what he can do. B

4) 3B Josh Vitters - Handling AA reasonably well, still has a good ceiling. B-

5) P Trey McNutt - Injuries hurt, needs a strong finish to the season. B-

6) OF Jae-Hoon Ha - Confusing player, but has an intriguing ceiling. B-

7) C Welington Castillo - I think he's a backup, but he keeps producing. C+

8) P Dillon Maples - Iffy read on him, need to see some in-game results. C+

9) OF Reggie Golden - Good debut, but Ks, average, and weight worrying. C+

10) P Nick Struck - Not sure about the upside, but he could crack the 2012 rotation. C+

 

The rest I'll do without grades.

 

11) SS Marco Hernandez - Love love love what he's doing. Major breakout potential.

12) 1B Dan Vogelbach - Great pick, hope he stays in shape and can hit for average.

13) IF Ryan Flaherty - Higher on him than LeMahieu, has good power.

14) P Dallas Beeler - Recent reports have cooled me on him, but I'm still a fan.

15) P Robert Whitenack - Leery about TJS, hopeful for full recovery.

16) IF DJ LeMahieu - Not sold on him as more than a utility player, still useful.

17) P Dae-Eun Rhee - Fascinated with scouting reports. Iffy production a concern.

18) P Ben Wells - Usually doesn't make it through the 6th inning, but tools are there.

19) IF Gioskar Amaya - Intriguing toolset, wonder if he can develop power.

20) IF Jeimer Candelario - If he's legit, he could be #1 on this list in two years.

[Outshined_One]

Also, to add to the discussion, I have a question for everyone here.

 

Realistically speaking, which players in this system could you see as being a #1 prospect in this system down the road?

 

Setting aside Brett Jackson (who seems to be the consensus #1), I came up with five players.

 

1) Matt Szczur

2) Javier Baez

3) Jeimer Candelario

4) Dillon Maples

5) Marco Hernandez

 

I'm curious to see what everyone else thinks. To me, those five all seem to have the combination of polish, hype, and upside that would merit them being ranked as the #1 player in the Cubs' system down the line, should things proceed as hoped.