BA's 2011 DSL/VSL Top 20 Prospects

[CaliforniaRaisin]

2 DSL Cubs made the list. The list is in alphabetical order and not a ranking of these prospects.

 

Jeimer Candelario, 3b, Cubs

Age: 18. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 180. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2010.

Candelario was born in the U.S. but moved to the Dominican Republic, where he signed with the Cubs in October 2010 for $500,000 out of the Arias and Goodman academy. Candelario came as advertised in his pro debut in the DSL, showing the offensive upside that drew the Cubs to him as well as some of the defensive shortcomings he'll need to address. Candelario's offensive numbers were among the best in the league, as he shows the potential to hit for average, get on base at a high rate and hit for power. Candelario has good bat speed, uses the whole field and has the plate discipline to manage his at-bats and lay off pitches outside the strike zone. He's a switch-hitter who's more advanced from the left side. Candelario has strong hands, a thick frame and showed flashes of his power potential last year. Where he ends up defensively is still up in the air. He has a good arm but doesn't run well, his actions in the field aren't fluid and he could move over to first base at some point. He was impressive during his time in the U.S. at instructional league and will likely stay in extended spring training until the Arizona League season begins.

 

Carlos Penalver, ss, Cubs

Age: 17. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 170. Signed: Venezuela, 2010.

 

The Cubs have found a nice collection of young shortstops out of Latin America in recent years, going back to Starlin Castro in 2006 and Marco Hernandez and Gioskar Amaya in 2009. Penalver was one of the Cubs' top international signings in 2010, when they signed him out of Maracay for $550,000, their biggest bonus of the year for a Latin American amateur. Penalver is an athletic player with good body control and agility. He has good instincts, hands and footwork at shortstop. He has a good idea of what he's doing at the plate and a quick, line-drive stroke with bat-to-ball ability and a sound knowledge of the strike zone. Penalver won't be a power hitter, but he needs to gain strength to be able to do some more damage when he does connect with the ball.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613215.html

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Candelario better live up to that hype. The D'Backs aren't going to want just anyone, ya know? WINK

 

Where might he play this year? Will Jeffry Baez be joining him? I think Baez is a decent low level sleeper.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Hernandez or Penalver? Penalver sounds like he'll be a defense first SS.

[toonsterwu]

Candelario is with the XST group to start, by most accounts. I could see him getting a look at Peoria earlier than, say, a Baez, though, because the corner talents for Peoria right now aren't top prospects, and the indications that the Cubs want to keep Baez at short for now. Wouldn't completely surprise me if Candelario stayed in a XST/Boise path, though.

 

AzPhil was fairly lukewarm on Penalver's work in the field, but I think he did suggest it felt more like a confidence issue, as he had the ability.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

The Baez I'm talk about is the young CF prospect who IIrc was also in the DSL.

[toonsterwu]

The Baez I'm talk about is the young CF prospect who IIrc was also in the DSL.

 

I know who you were talking about. I'm saying, I think Candelario could show up at Peoria before Javier Baez at Peoria. Jeffrey Baez was listed with the XST crop, and I imagine he's probably headed for a XST/Boise path, but who knows.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Candelario better live up to that hype. The D'Backs aren't going to want just anyone, ya know? WINK

 

 

I'm not following.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Candelario better live up to that hype. The D'Backs aren't going to want just anyone, ya know? WINK

 

 

I'm not following.

 

Justin Upton trade 2014. Face palm it.

[davell]

Before I saw it was Penalver, I thought Baez could be the 2nd guy on the list for us. Candelario is probably the guy I'm looking forward to seeing progress of anyone in our system. The plate discipline and potential power seems like the best combo we've got in our system. Obviously, it'd be phenomenal if he could stick at 3B, although it seems unlikely.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

The Baez I'm talk about is the young CF prospect who IIrc was also in the DSL.

 

I know who you were talking about. I'm saying, I think Candelario could show up at Peoria before Javier Baez at Peoria. Jeffrey Baez was listed with the XST crop, and I imagine he's probably headed for a XST/Boise path, but who knows.

 

I'm oddly high on Jeffrey Baez. He performed well, is as young as most of these guys, plays CF....I think AzPhil might have had a positive remark or two on him at some point.

 

One of my dreams for the Theo era is a legit 5 tool center fielder who walks...basically a Carlos Beltran type player but switch hitting isn't a big key. Anyone who MIGHT be that I will follow....Brett Jackson might even be that guy actually, as I really like his tools and swing.