Who is the Cubs #43 prospect?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

The poll will be open for 24 hours. Results so far:

 

1. Javier Baez

2. Kris Bryant

3. Albert Almora

4. Jorge Soler

5. CJ Edwards

6. Arismendy Alcantara

7. Pierce Johnson

8. Daniel Vogelbach

9. Christian Villanueva

10. Jeimer Candelario

11. Mike Olt

12. Kyle Hendricks

13. Arodys Vizcaino

14. Paul Blackburn

15. Rob Zastryzny

16. Corey Black

17. Neil Ramirez

18. Eloy Jimenez

19. Josh Vitters

20. Ivan Pineyro

21. Armando Rivero

22. Dillon Maples

23. Duane Underwood

24. Willson Contreras

25. Tyler Skulina

26. Gleyber Torres

27. Shawon Dunston Jr

28. Jacob Hannemann

29. Jen-Ho Tseng

30. Juan Paniagua

31. Zac Rosscup

32. Stephen Bruno

33. Alberto Cabrera

34. Erick Leal

35. Gioskar Amaya

36. Daury Torrez

37. Matt Szczur

38. Ben Wells

39. Scott Frazier

40. Dustin Geiger

41&42. Eric Jokisch/Jose Arias

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Balaguert.

[Cubswin11]

Penalver should be added soon, no?

[Guest]

Penalver should be added soon, no?

 

Good call.

[Clem Fandango]

I realize we all hate what he's become, but is Brett Jackson really worse than all the names in this poll?

[Guest]

Jackson turns 26 this year and put up a .626 OPS in an injury riddled year last year. He could maybe bounce back(he's only a couple weeks older than Olt, for reference), but you have to assume he's done unless he shows signs of life.

[jersey cubs fan]

you have to assume anybody on the list at this point is done in terms of their chances to be a major league contributor.

[rawaction]

you have to assume anybody on the list at this point is done in terms of their chances to be a major league contributor.

 

Probably true due to lack of pedigree/results associated with a prospect ranked over 40 in his own system. But there's a big difference between being a 19-20 year old kid that hasn't played above SS A-ball and being a 25-year old that has failed for 3 straight years in the high minors and ML level.

[davell]

you have to assume anybody on the list at this point is done in terms of their chances to be a major league contributor.

 

A guy like Mejia has plenty of upside. Penalver should have been voted in at least 10 spots ago. Trey Martin certainly has major league potential. Same with Balaguert. Paulino just got very solid reviews in the DSL at a young age. To say no one left has a real shot is just wrong.

[ScrubMD]

What's the argument for Penalver? Does he play great defense or is it an upside thing?

[craig]

Mejia and Paulino. Mejia's a big guy with a big fastball. No proof that he'll be good, but no evidence against either.

 

Paulino has had good success, got a very favorable scouting report, and projects favorably. I'm enthused.

 

On Penalver, he's a defense guy.

[davell]

What's the argument for Penalver? Does he play great defense or is it an upside thing?

Best defensive SS in our system. Gap power, good discipline, no real HR power. But a solid enough hitter.

[CubsWin]

What's the argument for Penalver? Does he play great defense or is it an upside thing?

Probably best defensive SS in the system. Has a chance to hit. He's been around .260-.270 with solid OBP in his career so far. Still young, 19. Has shown very good approach, discipline at the plate with well above average K/BB ratios especially for a teenager. Went 3-for-3, all singles, and a walk yesterday in his first Low-A ballgame. So clearly he's going to hit 1.000 this year. I would've voted for him after Balaguert had he been on the list of choices.

[ScrubMD]

Thanks for the info.

[craig]

I kind of imagine Penalver as a guy who might become a Barney with more walks?

Or maybe a Theriot with better SS talent?

[Clem Fandango]

you have to assume anybody on the list at this point is done in terms of their chances to be a major league contributor.

 

Probably true due to lack of pedigree/results associated with a prospect ranked over 40 in his own system. But there's a big difference between being a 19-20 year old kid that hasn't played above SS A-ball and being a 25-year old that has failed for 3 straight years in the high minors and ML level.

 

I know his 2012 was a let down, but it wasn't abysmal like 2013 was. Didn't they have Jackson work on his mechanics all 2013 season?

 

I just refuse to believe a guy who two seasons ago was a guy who had 20-20 potential with good plate patience, a high K rate (unfortunately), and solid CF defense ends up having one awful year and is automatically not good enough to be a Top 50 guy in the organization.

 

Olt has the better pedigree but his 2013 was not too much different than Jackson's, and they have a similar overall profile (albeit at different positions)... but Olt was Top 15 caliber, whereas Jackson is immediately garbage. Jackson was horrendous at AAA and they called him up to the majors where he was still horrendous. Not sure what people expected.

 

Don't get it twisted, I'm not a huge fan of Jackson, but to go from our #6 overall prospect last season (according to us) to not even good enough for the Top 50 seems a little cynical of his talents.

[CubsWin]

I kind of imagine Penalver as a guy who might become a Barney with more walks?

Or maybe a Theriot with better SS talent?

That would be great if he could. I'd definitely take that.

[rawaction]

Penalver reminds me of the SS from the 90s. Short, good glove, not much bat. The Rey Ordonez, young Omar Vizquel type.

[wekim81]

Almost to #50!

[craig]

#39 Scott Frazier is sitting at ERA = 162.00.

 

In his two appearances, he's faced I believe 8 batters, with one out, two hits, and 5 walks.

 

I may drop him out of the top 40 on my personal list….