2018 Mid Season Top 20

[toonsterwu]

I don't love Bote in the top 5 (if he's eligible), but I guess ... there isn't much there. I'd take him over Lange. The idea of Bote as top 5 is ... ugh.

 

I'm tempted to rank Duncan Robinson far higher, which sort of goes against my own rule on guys like him ... guys with command, but average stuff, for lack of a better way of phrasing it right now. I tend to want these guys to prove it at each level ... but I'm thoroughly impressed that Robinson's K rate has gone up this year. Sounds like the curveball is showing well, he commands the low 90's 2-seamer, and seems to have developed a decent cutter.

 

In a very pedestrian system, I'm tempted to make an argument that he's borderline top 10. I mean, he looks close to ready to get a shot in the majors, and his fastball/breaking ball combination should give him a decent chance to be a MLB reliever. It's not exciting, but it's steady.

 

I guess, thinking about it right now, I'm thinking more 12-15, so it's not a huge jump up from Raisin

[CubsWin]

I don't love Bote in the top 5 (if he's eligible), but I guess ... there isn't much there. I'd take him over Lange. The idea of Bote as top 5 is ... ugh.

 

I'm tempted to rank Duncan Robinson far higher, which sort of goes against my own rule on guys like him ... guys with command, but average stuff, for lack of a better way of phrasing it right now. I tend to want these guys to prove it at each level ... but I'm thoroughly impressed that Robinson's K rate has gone up this year. Sounds like the curveball is showing well, he commands the low 90's 2-seamer, and seems to have developed a decent cutter.

 

In a very pedestrian system, I'm tempted to make an argument that he's borderline top 10. I mean, he looks close to ready to get a shot in the majors, and his fastball/breaking ball combination should give him a decent chance to be a MLB reliever. It's not exciting, but it's steady.

 

I guess, thinking about it right now, I'm thinking more 12-15, so it's not a huge jump up from Raisin

I agree with your assessment that he's a prove-it-at-every-level guy and it's encouraging that his K% has risen in AA. It's also encouraging that his swing strike % (10.5%) is also above average (around 9.5% usually in AA) denoting a certain level of deception. What worries me though is that despite that apparent deception, AA hitters are batting. 276 against him which is sharply up from previous seasons.

 

In some ways, this is to be expected, right? He's facing more advanced hitters, so he quite naturally will be giving up more hits. But you'd also expect serious prospects to develop as they face better hitters. The evidence is incomplete on this front. Southern League batters hit .305 against him in April, .288 in May and just .223 in June. If June isn't an outlier, then he'll rise up my boards. But so far in July (2 starts), he's allowed a .295 BAA.

 

The old school, tried and true benchmarks for me when giving a pitcher a once over, before diving in deeper, is age relative to level, BAA, WHIP, K-to-BB ratio, K/9 and BB/9. In levels from AA and lower, if the BAA is below .230, the WHIP below 1.15, the K/9 higher than 9 and BB/9 below 3 (and if the K% is less than 1 per inning than a solid K:BB ratio better than 3:1), I'm impressed. Admittedly, having benchmarks like that will result in some prospects slipping through and surprising me with their success later on. But I'm a professional actor, so I don't care.

 

Robinson may indeed be one who succeeds without fitting my personal profile, but if he can't get AA hitters out at a considerably better rate than he did in the 1st half (.281), I wonder how he'll fare in AAA without taking a noticeable step forward in his development.

 

The Cubs pitcher Robinson is most oft compared to is Kyle Hendricks. Kyle's BAA prior to AAA were .183 in SS-A, .253 in Low and High A and .227 in AA. I was intrigued by Hendricks after his A-ball year in 2012 but I didn't see 2013 coming in which he took a big step forward. Hendricks' minor league WHIPs were below 1.10 every year. Robinson have been 1.59, 1.09 last year which put him on the map and 1.26 so far in AA.

 

Right now, Robinson has been good in AA at 24. Hendricks dominated AA at 22. If Duncan can continue to improve throughout the 2nd half, I'll reassess.

[davell]

Marquez not in the top 20? Thomas was in your top 10 one week ago too, now not in top 20 either?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

BA’s midseason top 10 is out: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2018-chicago-cubs-top-10-prospects-updated-for-midseason/

 

1. Miguel Amaya

2. Adbert Alzolay

3. Aramis Ademan

4. Nico Hoerner

5. David Bote

6. Alex Lange

7. Keegan Thompson

8. Brendon Little

9. Oscar de la Cruz

10. Richard Gallardo

 

Rising: David Bote, Cory Abbott, Andruw Monasterio

Falling: José Albertos, Thomas Hatch

Injured: Justin Steele, Adbert Alzolay

Graduated: Victor Caratini, Luke Farrell, Randy Rosario

[Hrubes20]

BA’s midseason top 10 is out: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2018-chicago-cubs-top-10-prospects-updated-for-midseason/

 

1. Miguel Amaya

2. Adbert Alzolay

3. Aramis Ademan

4. Nico Hoerner

5. David Bote

6. Alex Lange

7. Keegan Thompson

8. Brendon Little

9. Oscar de la Cruz

10. Richard Gallardo

 

Rising: David Bote, Cory Abbott, Andruw Monasterio

Falling: José Albertos, Thomas Hatch

Injured: Justin Steele, Adbert Alzolay

Graduated: Victor Caratini, Luke Farrell, Randy Rosario

 

These national guys need to check in on Brailyn Marquez again. There is absolutely no rationale for Gallardo to be a top 10 prospect over him.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

BA’s midseason top 10 is out: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2018-chicago-cubs-top-10-prospects-updated-for-midseason/

 

1. Miguel Amaya

2. Adbert Alzolay

3. Aramis Ademan

4. Nico Hoerner

5. David Bote

6. Alex Lange

7. Keegan Thompson

8. Brendon Little

9. Oscar de la Cruz

10. Richard Gallardo

 

Rising: David Bote, Cory Abbott, Andruw Monasterio

Falling: José Albertos, Thomas Hatch

Injured: Justin Steele, Adbert Alzolay

Graduated: Victor Caratini, Luke Farrell, Randy Rosario

 

These national guys need to check in on Brailyn Marquez again. There is absolutely no rationale for Gallardo to be a top 10 prospect over him.

 

I’m guessing he’ll be in the postseason top 5 once they finally get shortseason reports (and Bote will have graduated). There’s definitely a disconnect midseason on breakout guys, especially in leagues that are further away to access for most of the national media.

[Bear Cub]

Looks like Cole Roederer will be in the top 10 shortly.

[CubsWin]

BA’s midseason top 10 is out: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2018-chicago-cubs-top-10-prospects-updated-for-midseason/

 

1. Miguel Amaya

2. Adbert Alzolay

3. Aramis Ademan

4. Nico Hoerner

5. David Bote

6. Alex Lange

7. Keegan Thompson

8. Brendon Little

9. Oscar de la Cruz

10. Richard Gallardo

 

Rising: David Bote, Cory Abbott, Andruw Monasterio

Falling: José Albertos, Thomas Hatch

Injured: Justin Steele, Adbert Alzolay

Graduated: Victor Caratini, Luke Farrell, Randy Rosario

Adding Bote to the graduated list, I've got:

 

1. Miguel Amaya

2. Adbert Alzolay

3. Aramis Ademan

4. Nico Hoerner

5. Alex Lange

6. Brailyn Marquez

 

And a large fog bank after that...

 

Lost in that fog you will find many Cubs prospects wandering around. You see a figure in the distance. Is that Trevor Clifton? You hear two guys discussing pitch selection. It's Johnny Pereda and Tyson Miller. You bump into what feels like a tree. "Oh, hey Duncan." "Watch where you're going," he responds. Draftmates Brendon Little and Cory Abbott walk by sharing a compass. You don't recognize that guy. Must be Gallardo. You hear someone complaing, "Why does no one know who I am?" You strain through the fog to see Giambrone written across the back of his jersey. Suddenly, you trip over something. You look down to see a pile of leaves covering the shallow grave of Jose Albertos. You hear some footfalls behind you and spin to find Christopher Morel feeling his way through the spectral mist. "Can you help me find my bat?", he asks. Under your breath you mutter, "Check extended spring training". A fresh-faced, wide eyed Michael Rucker approaches. He wonders aloud, "Is this heaven?" "No, it's Iowa", you joke. "Cool, I got promoted!" The fog thins. You see a clearing up ahead. As you emerge from the haze, Cole Roederer is there leaning jauntily on his bat like Mr. Peanut minus the monocle. "Dude, I think you've been looking for me..."

[Regular Show]

BA’s midseason top 10 is out: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2018-chicago-cubs-top-10-prospects-updated-for-midseason/

 

1. Miguel Amaya

2. Adbert Alzolay

3. Aramis Ademan

4. Nico Hoerner

5. David Bote

6. Alex Lange

7. Keegan Thompson

8. Brendon Little

9. Oscar de la Cruz

10. Richard Gallardo

 

Rising: David Bote, Cory Abbott, Andruw Monasterio

Falling: José Albertos, Thomas Hatch

Injured: Justin Steele, Adbert Alzolay

Graduated: Victor Caratini, Luke Farrell, Randy Rosario

Adding Bote to the graduated list, I've got:

 

1. Miguel Amaya

2. Adbert Alzolay

3. Aramis Ademan

4. Nico Hoerner

5. Alex Lange

6. Brailyn Marquez

 

And a large fog bank after that...

 

Lost in that fog you will find many Cubs prospects wandering around. You see a figure in the distance. Is that Trevor Clifton? You hear two guys discussing pitch selection. It's Johnny Pereda and Tyson Miller. You bump into what feels like a tree. "Oh, hey Duncan." "Watch where you're going," he responds. Draftmates Brendon Little and Cory Abbott walk by sharing a compass. You don't recognize that guy. Must be Gallardo. You hear someone complaing, "Why does no one know who I am?" You strain through the fog to see Giambrone written across the back of his jersey. Suddenly, you trip over something. You look down to see a pile of leaves covering the shallow grave of Jose Albertos. You hear some footfalls behind you and spin to find Christopher Morel feeling his way through the spectral mist. "Can you help me find my bat?", he asks. Under your breath you mutter, "Check extended spring training". A fresh-faced, wide eyed Michael Rucker approaches. He wonders aloud, "Is this heaven?" "No, it's Iowa", you joke. "Cool, I got promoted!" The fog thins. You see a clearing up ahead. As you emerge from the haze, Cole Roederer is there leaning jauntily on his bat like Mr. Peanut minus the monocle. "Dude, I think you've been looking for me..."

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

MLB.com's revised Cubs top 30 list at midseason: http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2018?list=chc

 

1. Miguel Amaya,

2. Adbert Alzolay

3. Alex Lange

4. Brailyn Márquez

5. Aramis Ademan

6. Nico Hoerner

7. David Bote

8. Brendon Little

9. Justin Steele

10. Duane Underwood Jr

11. Oscar de la Cruz

12. Eric Uelmen

13. Keegan Thompson

14. Michael Rucker

15. Cole Roederer

16. Brennen Davis

17. DJ Wilson

18. Trevor Clifton

19. Cory Abbott

20. Thomas Hatch

21. José Albertos

22. Nelson Velázquez

23. Zack Short

24. James Norwood

25. Mark Zagunis

26. Erling Moreno

27. Richard Gallardo

28. Dillon Maples

29. Jason Vosler

30. Trent Giambrone

 

Jhonny Pereda and Dakota Mekkes are glaring omissions. Also no Duncan Robinson, Tyson Miller or Matt Swarmer.

[Regular Show]

MLB.com's revised Cubs top 30 list at midseason: http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2018?list=chc

 

1. Miguel Amaya,

2. Adbert Alzolay

3. Alex Lange

4. Brailyn Márquez

5. Aramis Ademan

6. Nico Hoerner

7. David Bote

8. Brendon Little

9. Justin Steele

10. Duane Underwood Jr

11. Oscar de la Cruz

12. Eric Uelmen

13. Keegan Thompson

14. Michael Rucker

15. Cole Roederer

16. Brennen Davis

17. DJ Wilson

18. Trevor Clifton

19. Cory Abbott

20. Thomas Hatch

21. José Albertos

22. Nelson Velázquez

23. Zack Short

24. James Norwood

25. Mark Zagunis

26. Erling Moreno

27. Richard Gallardo

28. Dillon Maples

29. Jason Vosler

30. Trent Giambrone

 

Jhonny Pereda and Dakota Mekkes are glaring omissions. Also no Duncan Robinson, Tyson Miller or Matt Swarmer.

 

Yeah, I was going to mention this. DJ Wilson is WAY too high and I'd drop him off the list honestly. I thought Giambrone would be higher. He has a good swing and decent speed.

 

I like Mekkes and think he should be on the list. Scouts just aren't impressed with Mekkes' stuff I guess?

[CubsWin]

Once again, MLB.com's prospect list is a mixed bag. Some of their picks a just straight up headscratchers.

[CubsWin]

At least Amaya made the top 100 (97th).

[Donzo]

Yeah, definitely some interesting omissions. How can they miss Pereda?

 

Liked the info on the new guys; Roederer, Davis and Gallardo... Liked the Norwood info, too. He's been extremely dominant (in a small sample size) in Iowa. With that success and his promotions to the majors, you gotta think his control and command have improved. He has closer type stuff, he could be very important.

 

Good to see Underwood back in the top 10, he deserves it.

[CubsWin]

Yeah, definitely some interesting omissions. How can they miss Pereda?

 

Liked the info on the new guys; Roederer, Davis and Gallardo... Liked the Norwood info, too. He's been extremely dominant (in a small sample size) in Iowa. With that success and his promotions to the majors, you gotta think his control and command have improved. He has closer type stuff, he could be very important.

 

Good to see Underwood back in the top 10, he deserves it.

He does? I mean, it seems more like a commentary on how weak the system is than a sign he's deserving somehow.

 

Don't get me wrong, he's answered some questions this year. He's stayed healthy. He has held his own in a hitter's league. He made his big league debut. But you could make a good argument that Clifton is a better prospect right now, and they've got him ranked 18th. Seems like after Hoerner slots 7 thru 20 are almost completely up to interpretation.

[Regular Show]

Yeah, definitely some interesting omissions. How can they miss Pereda?

 

Liked the info on the new guys; Roederer, Davis and Gallardo... Liked the Norwood info, too. He's been extremely dominant (in a small sample size) in Iowa. With that success and his promotions to the majors, you gotta think his control and command have improved. He has closer type stuff, he could be very important.

 

Good to see Underwood back in the top 10, he deserves it.

 

Not sure Underwood deserves to be in the top 10, but he's pitching better this year for sure. I think the Cubs' farm system is not highly-rated and the back half of the top 10 is pretty weak. We have decent depth and lots of good prospects at the lowest levels.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

David Bote graduated from prospect list eligibility today. MLB.com added Jeremiah Estrada at 30 to replace him and included this in his blurb:

 

He began 2018 in Extended Spring Training and came down with elbow soreness that lead the Cubs to shut him down as a precaution.

[CubsWin]

David Bote graduated from prospect list eligibility today. MLB.com added Jeremiah Estrada at 30 to replace him and included this in his blurb:

 

He began 2018 in Extended Spring Training and came down with elbow soreness that lead the Cubs to shut him down as a precaution.

Yeah, that's everything I had heard too. No TJS is good though, I guess...