BA, BP, Fangraphs, Keith Law & MLB Pipeline's Cubs' Top Prospects List

[CaliforniaRaisin]

We can consolidate all the major offseason lists in here as they come out.

 

Kiley McDaniel and Eric Longenhagen’s Cubs top 31 is out: https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/top-31-prospects-chicago-cubs/

 

The biggest surprises were Ademan still being in the top 3, Reivaj Garcia at 11, Abbott and Thompson relatively low rankings, and some low minor Latin American pitchers cracking the list (Richard Gallardo all the way at 10, Yovanny Cruz at 24, Danis Correa at 29 and Benjamin Rodriguez at 30).

[Transmogrified Tiger]

The reports on Hoerner and Roederer are very exciting. Also this bit on Davis' dad and uh, chores is fun:

 

His mother was a track and field athlete at the University of Washington and his father is former NBA All-Star, Reggie Theus. In addition to his athletic gifts, scouts rave about Davis’ maturity as a student and a worker (often citing the odd hours he keeps taking care of a goat and llamas at his family home), and all thought he’d be able to cope with likely early-career contact struggles and would work to improve his ability to hit.

[Tim]

The reports on Hoerner and Roederer are very exciting. Also this bit on Davis' dad and uh, chores is fun:

 

His mother was a track and field athlete at the University of Washington and his father is former NBA All-Star, Reggie Theus. In addition to his athletic gifts, scouts rave about Davis’ maturity as a student and a worker (often citing the odd hours he keeps taking care of a goat and llamas at his family home), and all thought he’d be able to cope with likely early-career contact struggles and would work to improve his ability to hit.

I can't believe I missed the fact that his dad is Reggie Theus during the draft.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

that's coach Fuller to you

[Hrubes20]

I had blocked Jose Albertos from my mind until I read that blurb on him and got depressed again.

[imb]

any person who can name 31 cubs minor league players belongs in federal prison

[Sammy Sofa]

Wow, this system is at a weird point in time.

 

That's the diplomatic way of putting it.

 

"Man, this big plate of food that is both spoiled and undercooked is WEIRD."

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Wow, this system is at a weird point in time. Justin Steele (!!) is a top 5 prospect coming off a TJ surgery and a move to the pen.

 

Justin Steele hasn't moved to the pen.

[Post Count Padder]

We have a lot of interesting talent several years away and some unexciting arms that could help next year. Between that is barren. Kinda surprised Rucker, Swarmer and Assad missed the top 31 given the system is weak and the former two seem to have high floors and the latter has some good stuff. I kinda have Rucker, Swarmer, Mills, Thompson all in the same boat. I feel like any or all of them could pitch in the majors in 2019.

[CubsWin]

I like seeing the disparity between different outlet's lists. I respect FG's more than the rest on the whole. MLB's list was weird in a lot of places with Uelman and Thompson at 11 & 12, Little at 7 and Underwood and De La Cruz still in the top 10 (9 & 10). It's an interesting insight as to what each outlet values and perhaps the info they bother gathering.

 

The velocity readings FG listed all match up with what I saw while watching games last season with the possible exception of Abbot who I think I remember hitting 94 a few times while MLB inexplicably had Uelman and Little with a 60 fastball. (Granted 20-80 FB grades aren't exclusively about velocity.)

 

Gallardo at 10, Garcia at 11 and Estrada at 14 are encouraging. Benjamin Rodriguez at 30 is a lot higher than I had him (and I got criticized for even mentioning him in an unranked list of U20 prospects last summer.)

 

Speaking of U20 guys, 13 of the 31 names listed by FG are under 20 with 4 more at 20.2 or 20.1. That's 17 in total, over half of the Cubs top 31. By contrast, of the other NL Central teams, the Reds have 6 in their top 31, Milwaukee has 13, the Pirates have 7 and the Cardinals have 5.

 

As expected, the Reds are the most top heavy with two 60 FV prospects and 5 at 50. No other NL Central team comes close. The Cards are the deepest with 37 prospects listed at 40 FV or higher (the Cubs are 2nd with 31). But that's to be expected with their college draft strategy and (at a glance without doing all the math) the oldest group of players.

 

The narrative of the Cubs system lacking in high-end talent, having some high-end potential among U20 players (six players under 20 in their top 11 & eight 20.2 or younger in their top 14) along with good depth throughout is backed up by this Fangraphs list.

[CubsWin]

Interesting to note that Duncan Robinson was not even listed in the "Other Prospects of Note" section and was also left off MLB's top 30 list.

 

Sorry, davell...

[Cubswin11]

Man it would be nice if Adbert and Steele could be considered real bullpen options at some point this year and at least look like they could have a Monty type role moving forward. Hopefully/I think Amaya and Hoerner can be solid role players/second division starters and Hoerner could moves fast and give us a real 2B/SS option next year. I also am irrationally high on Roederer, I think he’s going to be a solid player (maybe a Josh Reddick type platoon player with better defense/ability to play CF).

[CaliforniaRaisin]

BA's Cubs Top 10 Prospects are out: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/1004/chicago-cubs/organizational/?year=2019

 

1. Nico Hoerner

2. Miguel Amaya

3. Brailyn Marquez

4. Cole Roederer

5. Brennen Davis

6. Adbert Alzolay

7. Paul Richan

8. Cory Abbott

9. Justin Steele

10. Aramis Ademan

[Tim]

BA's Cubs Top 10 Prospects are out: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/1004/chicago-cubs/organizational/?year=2019

 

1. Nico Hoerner

2. Miguel Amaya

3. Brailyn Marquez

4. Cole Roederer

5. Brennen Davis

6. Adbert Alzolay

7. Paul Richan

8. Cory Abbott

9. Justin Steele

10. Aramis Ademan

That's closer to what is in my head.

[Hrubes20]

BA's Cubs Top 10 Prospects are out: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/1004/chicago-cubs/organizational/?year=2019

 

1. Nico Hoerner

2. Miguel Amaya

3. Brailyn Marquez

4. Cole Roederer

5. Brennen Davis

6. Adbert Alzolay

7. Paul Richan

8. Cory Abbott

9. Justin Steele

10. Aramis Ademan

 

I do like that they have Lange out of the top 10, unlike FG. It will definitely be interesting to see if Richan's secondary stuff plays up like BA seems to think it will. They are the only ones riding that particular train. Here's hoping they are just the first ones of many.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Richan being that high on the list from such a tools-friendly outlet as BA is definitely interesting.

[Regular Show]

BA's Cubs Top 10 Prospects are out: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/1004/chicago-cubs/organizational/?year=2019

 

1. Nico Hoerner

2. Miguel Amaya

3. Brailyn Marquez

4. Cole Roederer

5. Brennen Davis

6. Adbert Alzolay

7. Paul Richan

8. Cory Abbott

9. Justin Steele

10. Aramis Ademan

 

The list is pretty close to what I have except for one name (Richan). That seems weird to me. I also wouldn't place Davis that high, but he has elite level tools and is a great athlete.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Nico Hoerner came in at 86 on the BP top 101 prospects list. Miguel Amaya was in the next 10.

 

Also, Kyler Murray somehow ranked at 101. :roll:

[CaliforniaRaisin]

No Cubs in BA’s top 100.

[Sammy Sofa]

What greets people as they enter the Cubs' shiny, expensive offices:

 

[Hrubes20]

Nico Hoerner came in at 86 on the BP top 101 prospects list. Miguel Amaya was in the next 10.

 

Also, Kyler Murray somehow ranked at 101. :roll:

 

Yeah, I wouldn't put him that high, but as the 14th pick in the draft and a guy that received a large overslot bonus, I get it.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

BP’s top 10 is out. Not a fan: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/article/46779/2019-prospects-chicago-cubs-top-10-prospects/

 

The State of the System: It’s better at the top than it was last year, but calling the Cubs system “improved” overall is a stretch.

 

The Top Ten:

 

Nico Hoerner, SS

Miguel Amaya, C

Alex Lange, RHP

Adbert Alzolay, RHP

Aramis Ademan, SS

Justin Steele, LHP

Brailyn Marquez, LHP

Cole Roederer, OF

Brennen Davis, OF

Alec Mills, RHP

[Tim]

Alex Lange needs to spend some time at Driveline.

 

In fact, the Cubs should just buy those guys out and use it as pitching instructs.

[Bertz]

In Keith Law's rankings Amaya came in at 91 and Hoerner came in at 110

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Ben Sheets went to Louisiana-Monroe, not LSU.