Fangraphs/BP/BA Cubs Top Prospects List

[Clem Fandango]

I miss the old days when BA would also list the players in the system with the best tools and which players received the highest bonuses, and the projected future lineups, etc.

 

BA has gotten so lazy. And their layout and design for the pages huff dong. I know I've mentioned that a year or two ago, but it's still true, sadly.

Do they not still do that? I know it's not in the free story but I thought it was included in the book and the subscription.

 

The paid version has that stuff.

 

Well [expletive] that. Don't offer it for free for a decade and decide to change it, BA!

[SABR Gamer]

I miss the old days when BA would also list the players in the system with the best tools and which players received the highest bonuses, and the projected future lineups, etc.

 

BA has gotten so lazy. And their layout and design for the pages huff dong. I know I've mentioned that a year or two ago, but it's still true, sadly.

Do they not still do that? I know it's not in the free story but I thought it was included in the book and the subscription.

 

The paid version has that stuff.

 

Well [expletive] that. Don't offer it for free for a decade and decide to change it, BA!

 

Go back, I posted the three you asked about.

 

ETA: Putting it here instead.

 

LARGEST BONUSES IN CLUB HISTORY

Kris Bryant, 2013 $6,708,400

Jorge Soler, 2012 $6,000,000

Mark Prior, 2001 $4,000,000

Kosuke Fukudome, 2007 $4,000,000

Albert Almora, 2012 $3,900,00

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average Kyle Schwarber

Best Power Hitter Kris Bryant

Best Strike-Zone Discipline Mark Zagunis

Fastest Baserunner Jacob Hannemann

Best Athlete Matt Szczur

Best Fastball Duane Underwood

Best Curveball C.J. Edwards

Best Slider Jake Stinnett

Best Changeup Jen-Ho Tseng

Best Control Jen-Ho Tseng

Best Defensive Catcher Victor Caratini

Best Defensive Infielder Carlos Penalver

Best Infield Arm Kris Bryant

Best Defensive Outfielder Albert Almora

Best Outfield Arm Jorge Soler

 

2018 LINEUP

Catcher Kyle Schwarber

First Base Anthony Rizzo

Second Base Starlin Castro

Third Base Javier Baez

Shortstop Addison Russell

Left Field Kris Bryant

Center Field Billy McKinney

Right Field Jorge Soler

No. 1 Starter Jon Lester

No. 2 Starter Jake Arrieta

No. 3 Starter C.J. Edwards

No. 4 Starter Kyle Hendricks

No. 5 Starter Duane Underwood

Closer Corey Black

[Clem Fandango]

Thanks!

[Post Count Padder]

2018 LINEUP

Catcher Kyle Schwarber

First Base Anthony Rizzo

Second Base Starlin Castro

Third Base Javier Baez

Shortstop Addison Russell

Left Field Kris Bryant

Center Field Billy McKinney

Right Field Jorge Soler

No. 1 Starter Jon Lester

No. 2 Starter Jake Arrieta

No. 3 Starter C.J. Edwards

No. 4 Starter Kyle Hendricks

No. 5 Starter Duane Underwood

Closer Corey Black

 

=P~

[Clem Fandango]

It's awesome that only two of those names were signed as a free agent and/or never spent any time in the Cubs system

[Cubswin11]

2018 LINEUP

Catcher Kyle Schwarber

First Base Anthony Rizzo

Second Base Starlin Castro

Third Base Javier Baez

Shortstop Addison Russell

Left Field Kris Bryant

Center Field Billy McKinney

Right Field Jorge Soler

No. 1 Starter Jon Lester

No. 2 Starter Jake Arrieta

No. 3 Starter C.J. Edwards

No. 4 Starter Kyle Hendricks

No. 5 Starter Duane Underwood

Closer Corey Black

 

http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/beer.gif

[SouthSideRyan]

It's awesome that only two of those names were signed as a free agent and/or never spent any time in the Cubs system

 

Who cares?

[Sammy Sofa]

2018 LINEUP

Catcher Kyle Schwarber

First Base Anthony Rizzo

Second Base Starlin Castro

Third Base Javier Baez

Shortstop Addison Russell

Left Field Kris Bryant

Center Field Billy McKinney

Right Field Jorge Soler

No. 1 Starter Jon Lester

No. 2 Starter Jake Arrieta

No. 3 Starter C.J. Edwards

No. 4 Starter Kyle Hendricks

No. 5 Starter Duane Underwood

Closer Corey Black

 

http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/beer.gif

 

If that happens then this is MUCH more fitting (with Jed and Theo's faces Photoshopped in):

 

http://media.giphy.com/media/EExVyl01EVD5m/giphy.gif

[Clem Fandango]

It's awesome that only two of those names were signed as a free agent and/or never spent any time in the Cubs system

 

Who cares?

 

Eh, didn't think that it's also because there's no other FA on the roster that have really been signed long enough to make it to 2018. That said, that lineup and rotation is still pretty solid.

[benzona79]

According to Manuel, only 2014 draft guy rated ahead of Schwarber is Rodon.

Well done boys!

[Radar3454]

Can McKinnley play CF?

[Guest]

Can McKinnley play CF?

 

That's the position he primarily plays, but I don't know if that's where he will stick. He hasn't played above A ball yet, so I wouldn't expect him to see Wrigley for at least another year or two.

[Guest]

Can McKinnley play CF?

 

That's the position he primarily plays, but I don't know if that's where he will stick. He hasn't played above A ball yet, so I wouldn't expect him to see Wrigley for at least another year or two.

 

Not with the Cubs. I'm pretty sure either Hanneman or Almora will have CF, depending on where they play.

 

That's not to say he necessarily can't, though. Just that he isn't likely to be playing it anytime soon.

[Guest]

Everything I've read about McKinney pegs him at LF in MLB. Not quite enough speed/range for CF, not quite enough arm for RF.

[toonsterwu]

I think, for 2018, it's possible McKinney could be in CF. I think he's probably a Brandon Guyer type in that regard - a guy you don't really want in CF, but you can live with him in CF in his youth if necessary. Now, I don't think he'll actually be in CF in 2018 (and I don't think Theo and Jed's wet dream of a homegrown lineup will ever happen).

[Guest]

I think, for 2018, it's possible McKinney could be in CF. I think he's probably a Brandon Guyer type in that regard - a guy you don't really want in CF, but you can live with him in CF in his youth if necessary. Now, I don't think he'll actually be in CF in 2018 (and I don't think Theo and Jed's wet dream of a homegrown lineup will ever happen).

 

Outside of catcher, it's basically 2 promotions from happening given the current roster construction, one of which is 100% happening very soon in Bryant.

[toonsterwu]

If we're being technical, Rizzo isn't a homegrown player (since he came up with the Red Sox and hit the majors with the Padres ... it's sort of hard to call that a homegrown player). Furthermore, one could argue that including catcher, it's possible only two spots break camp with guys that aren't homegrown (if you count Rizzo ... there's a decent chance Alcantara gets CF, leaving only catcher and LF). Add in Addison Russell in the upper levels and Schwarber/Almora ... and I certainly don't discount the chance that it could happen.

 

I simply find it unlikely (as noted, I simply said, I think their wet dream won't happen). Too many things go wrong, even with smart guys. One only has to look at McLeod's two drafts with the Padres, neither of which look great right now (I believe he was in charge in 2010 and 2011 of the drafts there). 2010 really only has Jedd Gyorko, while 2011 had a load of picks, but only Matt Wisler, Joe Ross, and maybe Austin Hedges look really intriguing, although there are some decent secondary pieces, like Burch Smith (now, it actually wouldn't surprise me if Burch Smith was the best guy from that class, when it's all said and done) and maybe Jace Peterson. Furthermore, the Red Sox system in the latter years of Theo's time there weren't exactly hot (and I still argue (and I know I argued this point here and elsewhere) that their system was a bit over-hyped with guys like Jackie Bradley Jr. and those vaunted arms, most of which have become viewed as mid-end of the rotation/bullpen types (Ranaudo, Barnes, and so forth).

 

Back to the Cubs (even before Theo and Jed came here, I had argued that their player development history in their final years elsewhere was somewhat spotty ... I think davell might remember that I argued that both systems were over-hyped when they came). I find it hard to believe that everything is going to hit and be just fine along the way. Let's see if Schwarber can stick at catcher and continue to hit (the wear and tear takes a burden ... Matt Wieters was supposed to be a monster ... his offense has never matched ... although to be fair, his defense was solid). I wouldn't be surprised if Schwarber could stick ... but they moved him anyways because his bat was just that important. Let's see Alcantara/Baez adjust in the majors (I actually think Baez will). Let's see if they keep Castro around for the duration. There's a lot of variables, and it's just unlikely everything goes right for the Cubs.

 

Perhaps the unique happens and everything goes right for the Cubs. Let's be honest, if we are sporting an all home-grown lineup by 2018, this team has either won a title, or is on the verge of winning one, because if all these guys are as good as expected ...

[RynoRules]

Its fairly likely, isn't it, that Theo, Jed and Jason understand that - if we are lucky - only half of those ten or so guys will pan out as hoped. Which is why you stockpile as much promise (regardless of position) as possible - more options for trades.

[davell]

Yeah, definitely remember Toonster not being high on SD's system the way our guys left it. I'll say this though, I DO count Rizzo as a home grown guy. Our guys drafted him, then traded for him twice. He's been under our FO's care his entire career. So while he may not be a Cub homegrown guy, he's definitely homegrown from our FO, at least.

[Sammy Sofa]

Its fairly likely, isn't it, that Theo, Jed and Jason understand that - if we are lucky - only half of those ten or so guys will pan out as hoped. Which is why you stockpile as much promise (regardless of position) as possible - more options for trades.

 

One day we'll see one of those trades.

 

One day.

[toonsterwu]

Yeah, definitely remember Toonster not being high on SD's system the way our guys left it. I'll say this though, I DO count Rizzo as a home grown guy. Our guys drafted him, then traded for him twice. He's been under our FO's care his entire career. So while he may not be a Cub homegrown guy, he's definitely homegrown from our FO, at least.

 

Fair enough on Rizzo ... he's Theo-grown prospect.

[Guest]

If we're being technical, Rizzo isn't a homegrown player (since he came up with the Red Sox and hit the majors with the Padres ... it's sort of hard to call that a homegrown player). Furthermore, one could argue that including catcher, it's possible only two spots break camp with guys that aren't homegrown (if you count Rizzo ... there's a decent chance Alcantara gets CF, leaving only catcher and LF). Add in Addison Russell in the upper levels and Schwarber/Almora ... and I certainly don't discount the chance that it could happen.

 

 

What davell said re: Rizzo.

 

And I'd say there's more than a decent chance Alcantara is our primary CF going into this season. It's more or less a certainty (not that he won't spell guys here and there. can totally see maddon doing that)

 

 

Perhaps the unique happens and everything goes right for the Cubs. Let's be honest, if we are sporting an all home-grown lineup by 2018, this team has either won a title, or is on the verge of winning one, because if all these guys are as good as expected ...

As for the homegrown wet-dream lineup, I didn't say it would last years (or even months) or be entirely successful. But barring a major trade, there's a pretty realistic chance we'll be seeing something like this come July or August as our "everyday" lineup. These guys all need to get MLB at bats and they need to do it now or soon.

 

C - Montero/Ross

1B - Rizzo

2B - Baez

SS - Castro

3B - Russell (reverse him with Starlin or Baez or something if you want, idc)

LF - Bryant

CF - Alcantara

RF - Soler

[jersey cubs fan]

Yeah, definitely remember Toonster not being high on SD's system the way our guys left it. I'll say this though, I DO count Rizzo as a home grown guy. Our guys drafted him, then traded for him twice. He's been under our FO's care his entire career. So while he may not be a Cub homegrown guy, he's definitely homegrown from our FO, at least.

That is weird.

[davell]

Yeah, definitely remember Toonster not being high on SD's system the way our guys left it. I'll say this though, I DO count Rizzo as a home grown guy. Our guys drafted him, then traded for him twice. He's been under our FO's care his entire career. So while he may not be a Cub homegrown guy, he's definitely homegrown from our FO, at least.

That is weird.

 

What is and why?

[Guest]

Apparently Badler has Schwarber as a top 20 overall. Can't find where he said it, just saw an exchange between Brett and him on Twitter.

 

Brett Taylor

‏@BleacherNation

@BenBadler Wow, Schwarber in the top 20? Is it based on a belief he may possibly stick behind the plate, or big belief in the bat? Both?

 

Ben Badler ‏@BenBadler 7m7 minutes ago

@BleacherNation Mostly the offensive game. Love everything he does at the plate.