Who is the #44 Prospect for the Cubs?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Please vote for the Cubs #44 prospect (serious votes only, please!). Please post your rationale below.

 

If someone convinces you that someone else should be higher, please feel free to change your vote anytime between now and Tuesday.

 

For this vote, you should select the players you feel should be #44, #45 and #46. If we end up with multiple players having similar vote totals at the end of the voting period, there will be a run-off with just those players.

 

Results so far:

 

#1: Javier Baez

#2: Jorge Soler

#3: Albert Almora

#4: Arodys Vizcaino

#5: Dan Vogelbach

#6: Brett Jackson

#7: Juan Paniagua

#8: Christian Villanueva

#9: Dillon Maples

#10: Josh Vitters

#11: Pierce Johnson

#12: Junior Lake

#13: Jeimer Candelario

#14: Duane Underwood

#15: Matt Szczur

#16: Arismendy Alcantara

#17: Ronald Torreyes

#18: Marco Hernandez

#19: Gioskar Amaya

#20: Alberto Cabrera

#21: Logan Watkins

#22: Rob Whitenack

#23: Barrett Loux

#24: Ben Wells

#25: Paul Blackburn

#26: Hector Rondon

#27: Tony Zych

#28: Jae-Hoon Ha

#29: Trey McNutt

#30: Steve Bruno

#31: Michael Jensen

#32: Trey Martin

#33: Tayler Scott

#34: Jose Arias

#35: Ryan McNeil

#36: Jose Rosario

#37: Shawon Dunston Jr.

#38: Nick Struck

#39: Austin Reed

#40: Reggie Golden

#41: Carlos Penalver

#42: Marcus Hatley

#43: Frandy de la Rosa

[craig]

Torres Jokisch and Hendricks

 

Torres for the control and the projection. With well over 1000 prospects competing in the DSL last year, to be ranked as one of the 20th best suggests some nontrivial potential. Velocity in the 90's, a strong/projectible frame, and excellent control, that's a good start towards becoming a good pitcher.

 

Jokisch and Hendricks for performance. Hendricks has shown great anti-walk control. 2.80 ERA and 1.0 WHIP two years into his career, maybe his stuff is better than we think? Will be interesting to see whether his success carries up to AA this summer; and whether with an off-season to work on any optimizations, whether the Cubs might be able to coach his stuff up a bit more. His velocity scouted faster in HS than more recently; any chance he might be a little stronger or healthier or faster than we expect? Maybe Johnson will be able to long-toss him into more arm strength. :)

 

Jokisch was 2.91 at AA. There have been some reports that he often was working in the low 90's, and has both a good curve and change. Smart, with good control. His stuff might also be better than we think; maybe he too can grow into a little more power; maybe his consistency can get a little bit better; and suddenly you've got a useful guy. Not sure how he projects as a big-league reliever, but if he threw a little harder in relief, and maybe had some tough-on-lefties features, he might become useful.

[Tryptamine]

I went Saunders, Contreras and Torrez. Even though Saunder's babip is absolutely ridiculous and unsustainable, I think he has a pretty good chance to be a big league utility guy.