Cubs Top Prospect Lists (NSBB, BA, etc.)

[davell]

Anything at all about some of the Pac Rim guys? Jung, Kim, either Wang, Na, or Chen? Haven't heard much as far as scouting on any of them whatsoever. Any tidbits on Antigua possibly?

[Guest]

Anything at all about some of the Pac Rim guys? Jung, Kim, either Wang, Na, or Chen? Haven't heard much as far as scouting on any of them whatsoever. Any tidbits on Antigua possibly?

 

Mat Germain (Halifax, NS): Why was Jeffry Antigua left off the top 10? Based on performance, I'd place him ahead of the 7-10 guys on this list.

 

Jim Callis: I think you're a little high on Antigua, but he is the best lefthanded starting pitching prospect in the system. The list isn't based just on performance, especially for players in the lower half of the minors. He has a chance for three average or better pitches, and he commands his fastball well for his age.

[Guest]

Castro in the top 25? Wow, it's awesome to see how much pub he's gotten since the season's been over. We've seen it coming with the season he just had, but I didn't think for a minute he could move up THAT far. Hell, when the season was over, I was still wondering if he had a chance to ovetake Vitters for our overall number 1, as I'm sure most were.

 

 

I had seen AZ Phil mention Vitters as possibly starting in Tenn, but hadn't heard it anywhere else either. You kind of have to wonder if this is at least POSSIBLY to do with the fact that Aramis has an opt out after 2010. I'd like to see Vitters have some success at Daytona in an ideal world, but he's hit very well in the AFL, so if they think he can handle it, I guess all we can do is hope for the best.

 

 

I disagree with Jay and Brett Jackson starting off in Tenn as well. I think Jay begins next year in Iowa personally, especially if the reports are true abput him and Ryno not seeing eye to eye. And while I can see Brett ENDING the year at Tenn, I see him beginning it in Daytona at the very least.

 

If I thought anyone was going to skip Daytona, it'd be Flaherty honestly, due to his age. I also don't see Lee jumping to Daytona next year, UNLESS by some chance we traded Castro(which I truly don't see nor want to see happening)

I caught some flack towards the end of the minor league season suggesting that Vitters would be sent to Tenn to start the year.

[davell]

If you piece together the thought of Castro being in the top 25 neighborhood at least, with B Jackson and Vitters somewhere in the middle, with Cashner, Lee, and J Jackson all having a chance to be in the bottom third of the top 100, it's fairly obvious to me that oursystem is heading back towards the top 10 in baseball quickly. While I guess we won't get there this offseason, I think we will be next offseason anyway.

[Guest]

Anything at all about some of the Pac Rim guys? Jung, Kim, either Wang, Na, or Chen? Haven't heard much as far as scouting on any of them whatsoever. Any tidbits on Antigua possibly?

 

Jack (Toronto): I know the Cubs signed a couple more Korean amateurs this summer. Do any of them have Hak Ju Lee potential?

 

Jim Callis: I wouldn't go that far, because Lee is setting the bar pretty high, but the Cubs signed five interesting players from the Far East. From Korea, they got speedy center fielder Kyung-Min Na and corner outfielder Dong-Yeop Kim, who has power potential. From Taiwan, they got 6-foot-6 righthander Tzu-An Wang, who oozes projection and has a nasty splitter; speedy second baseman Pin-Chien Chen; and Yao-Lin Wang, a 5-foot-11 righthander who throws in the low 90s.

[Guest]

Jeff (Cali): It appears that the Cubs farm system has turned the corner in the last year or two and is heading in the right direction. For the first time in a long time, the top 10 is heavy with position players (over pitching)....does this speak to the talent of the postion players or lack of arms in the system (or both)? Also how do you feel the cubs top 4 prospects compare against most teams in MLB? top 10, middle of the pacak, or weak?

 

Jim Callis: I think more to the quality of the position players. Beyond the Top 10, 12 of the next 16 players I have ranked are pitchers. I really haven't stacked up organizations against each other yet. My guess is that the Cubs' top four would rank in the 10-15 range among all the clubs.

[davell]

If only 4 of the next 16 on the overall top 30 are hitters, I'm guessing that they are Burke, Colvin, Castillo, and Barney. With 12 of the next 16 as pitchers, I think 9 are locks, with them being Coleman, Caridad, Searle, Archer, Huseby, Antigua, Rhee, Raley and Kirk.

[Guest]

Jon (Peoria): I've seen where Rafael Dolis has looked good in instructional league. What is the scouting report on him and where does he rank? Is he a guy the Cubs would have to protect on the 40-man roster coming up?

 

Jim Callis: Dolis is solidly in the 11-15 range. He looked very good in instructional league, sitting in the mid-90s and touching 100 with his fastball, and flashing a quality slider and changeup. The Cubs will definitely protect him on their 40-man roster. If they don't, he'd be the No. 1 pick in the Rule 5 draft.

 

Dolis was one of my sleepers and I think I had him higher than the rest at the NSBB chat.

 

Justin (Nashville): I heard that Justin Bistrow really came on strong at the end of last year and was flashing some low to mid 90's stuff. Is he a guy who could figure into the Top 30 and maybe be a sleeper for next season?

 

Jim Callis: That is accurate. He's not on the Top 30 but could jump on there next year if he continues to progress.

 

Good to see Bristow getting some love too.

[Guest]

If only 4 of the next 16 on the overall top 30 are hitters, I'm guessing that they are Burke, Colvin, Castillo, and Barney. With 12 of the next 16 as pitchers, I think 9 are locks, with them being Coleman, Caridad, Searle, Archer, Huseby, Antigua, Rhee, Raley and Kirk.

 

Dolis and Gaub.

[Serge]

I'd heard Trey McNutt mentioned as a nice steal out of the draft, but I had no idea he profiles as such a power reliever. 93-96 and a power breaking ball out of our 32nd rounder? Nice.

[Guest]

Callis has already mentioned that Burke is #11 and Archer, Dolis and Rhee are in the top 15 too.

[davell]

If only 4 of the next 16 on the overall top 30 are hitters, I'm guessing that they are Burke, Colvin, Castillo, and Barney. With 12 of the next 16 as pitchers, I think 9 are locks, with them being Coleman, Caridad, Searle, Archer, Huseby, Antigua, Rhee, Raley and Kirk.

 

Dolis and Gaub.

 

I knew Dolis was throwing well, but hitting 100? :-)) Can't say i had heard that before or I would have mentioned him as a lock. I didn't include Gaub strictly because of his struggles in the AFL and the fact that he most likely projects as a LOOGY.Not sure how BA looks at guys like that..... AZ Phil even mentioned that if anyone could pitch themselves OFF the 40 man this upcoming offseason, it'd be him with how he's thrown in the AFL. Granted I figure Callis isn't reading TCR for Phil's updates, but it influences me anyway. :D)

[Guest]

If only 4 of the next 16 on the overall top 30 are hitters, I'm guessing that they are Burke, Colvin, Castillo, and Barney. With 12 of the next 16 as pitchers, I think 9 are locks, with them being Coleman, Caridad, Searle, Archer, Huseby, Antigua, Rhee, Raley and Kirk.

 

Dolis and Gaub.

 

I knew Dolis was throwing well, but hitting 100? :-)) Can't say i had heard that before or I would have mentioned him as a lock. I didn't include Gaub strictly because of his struggles in the AFL and the fact that he most likely projects as a LOOGY.Not sure how BA looks at guys like that..... AZ Phil even mentioned that if anyone could pitch themselves OFF the 40 man this upcoming offseason, it'd be him with how he's thrown in the AFL. Granted I figure Callis isn't reading TCR for Phil's updates, but it influences me anyway. :D)

 

Kyle (Phoenix): Who would be the biggest sleeper in this entire system?

 

Jim Callis: I'll give you five underappreciated players. One scout told me he thought Jon Gaub was the best lefthanded relief prospect in the entire minors. He's not flashy, but if I was a team in need of a regular shortstop, I'd try to acquire Darwin Barney. Righthander Trey McNutt, a 32nd-round pick who fell through the cracks in this year's draft, has ridiculous stuff. Righthander reliever David Cales and outfielder Jim Adduci get little attention, but both can help a major league club and will get there.

[Guest]

Chat's over. :(

[davell]

Callis has already mentioned that Burke is #11 and Archer, Dolis and Rhee are in the top 15 too.

 

 

Not that I disagree, but Callis is contradicting himself already, isn't he? It was him who did the Midwest League and ranked Archer, but not Burke, right? And now he's already changed his mind, I guess.

 

As for the other guy who makes the top 15, I'm guessing it's either Colvin, Coleman, Searle, or Raley.......I wouldn't have thought Coleman had a shot, but since he's listed with the best change and the best control within the system, I figure he's got a chance.

[davell]

If only 4 of the next 16 on the overall top 30 are hitters, I'm guessing that they are Burke, Colvin, Castillo, and Barney. With 12 of the next 16 as pitchers, I think 9 are locks, with them being Coleman, Caridad, Searle, Archer, Huseby, Antigua, Rhee, Raley and Kirk.

 

Dolis and Gaub.

 

I knew Dolis was throwing well, but hitting 100? :-)) Can't say i had heard that before or I would have mentioned him as a lock. I didn't include Gaub strictly because of his struggles in the AFL and the fact that he most likely projects as a LOOGY.Not sure how BA looks at guys like that..... AZ Phil even mentioned that if anyone could pitch themselves OFF the 40 man this upcoming offseason, it'd be him with how he's thrown in the AFL. Granted I figure Callis isn't reading TCR for Phil's updates, but it influences me anyway. :D)

 

Kyle (Phoenix): Who would be the biggest sleeper in this entire system?

 

Jim Callis: I'll give you five underappreciated players. One scout told me he thought Jon Gaub was the best lefthanded relief prospect in the entire minors. He's not flashy, but if I was a team in need of a regular shortstop, I'd try to acquire Darwin Barney. Righthander Trey McNutt, a 32nd-round pick who fell through the cracks in this year's draft, has ridiculous stuff. Righthander reliever David Cales and outfielder Jim Adduci get little attention, but both can help a major league club and will get there.

 

Damn. This is really exciting to see. We have solid top end talent AND we have solid depth as well. It's really nice to see these type comments about guys that barely register with us even. Barney, Adduci, and Cales get little talk, so it's nice to see that they may be more than throw-ins, if we decided to deal them.

[Guest]

Callis has already mentioned that Burke is #11 and Archer, Dolis and Rhee are in the top 15 too.

 

 

Not that I disagree, but Callis is contradicting himself already, isn't he? It was him who did the Midwest League and ranked Archer, but not Burke, right? And now he's already changed his mind, I guess.

 

As for the other guy who makes the top 15, I'm guessing it's either Colvin, Coleman, Searle, or Raley.......I wouldn't have thought Coleman had a shot, but since he's listed with the best change and the best control within the system, I figure he's got a chance.

 

He said Raley was a 16-25 guy in the chat.

 

He talked briefly about Colvin, Coleman and Searle but didn't commit to a ranking on any of the 3. On the other hand, he was quick to mention guys like Dolis and Rhee were in the 11-15 range.

[davell]

What was mentioned about Coleman and Searle?

[Ryno12]

Words cannot describe how thankful I am that the discussion here at NSBB is intelligent and informed. After reading comments on several other sites today regarding Cubs prospect lists, having people who actually know what they are talking about is greatly appreciated. Just felt the need to share that.

[Outshined_One]

What was mentioned about Coleman and Searle?

 

Coleman: 4 pitches that hover around average with a good change, good feel for pitching, either ends up in middle relief or back of the rotation

Searle: Great life on his sinker, works with a slider, has a good future if he improves

[toonsterwu]

BA's list is out, to be honest I'm not a fan.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2010/269148.html

 

No Kyler Burke is just...I mean wow. And Logan Watkins at 7? FTH?

 

This shouldn't be surprising. BA's list is heavily influenced by org sources, and every indication is that the Cubs FO is really high on Logan Watkins.

[illiniguy]

Very interesting to see Brett Jackson ranked above Josh Vitters. Especially after so many were dead against picking him. So was he that much better than everyone thought, or is this more a reflection on Vitters?

[davell]

Very interesting to see Brett Jackson ranked above Josh Vitters. Especially after so many were dead against picking him. So was he that much better than everyone thought, or is this more a reflection on Vitters?

 

Both still have quite a bit to prove honestly. However, if you look at what Jackson has done to date, albeit in the lower levels, he HAS to be doing better than what any of us thought he would be doing. If people are down on Vitters and it appears alot are, it's because of his struggles in Daytona after his callup. Granted, I would THINK that how he's done in the AFL have at least helped his cause somewhat with the naysayers. He's still just turned 20 afterall and is younger than Jackson.

 

So, in the end, I think it's a combination of both Jackson doing better than what was expected AND Vitters struggling in Daytona. That said, I would still expect MOST publications to have Vitters ranked higher than Jackson, just maybe not BA for now......

[Guest]

What was mentioned about Coleman and Searle?

 

Coleman: 4 pitches that hover around average with a good change, good feel for pitching, either ends up in middle relief or back of the rotation

Searle: Great life on his sinker, works with a slider, has a good future if he improves

Actually, the telling quote on Searle was that he has a good future if he works harder at his game.

[Guest]

Very interesting to see Brett Jackson ranked above Josh Vitters. Especially after so many were dead against picking him. So was he that much better than everyone thought, or is this more a reflection on Vitters?

 

Both still have quite a bit to prove honestly. However, if you look at what Jackson has done to date, albeit in the lower levels, he HAS to be doing better than what any of us thought he would be doing. If people are down on Vitters and it appears alot are, it's because of his struggles in Daytona after his callup. Granted, I would THINK that how he's done in the AFL have at least helped his cause somewhat with the naysayers. He's still just turned 20 afterall and is younger than Jackson.

 

So, in the end, I think it's a combination of both Jackson doing better than what was expected AND Vitters struggling in Daytona. That said, I would still expect MOST publications to have Vitters ranked higher than Jackson, just maybe not BA for now......

During our prospect chat, the biggest reason a lot of us were down on Vitters was the recurring hand/wrist injuries. That's very concerning for a hitter and could easily rob him of his power potential down the line.

 

I still think Choi would have been a star if he hadn't had his wrist injury that derailed his development.