Jump to content
North Side Baseball

August 2023 top prospect voting results

Brock Beauchamp

By Brock Beauchamp,
in Cubs Minor League Talk

 Share

Recommended Posts

Brandon Glick Chicago Cubs

Brandon Glick

Site Manager
Posted
Posted
  1. Pete Crow-Armstrong
    True blue-chip prospect, with an 80-grade glove and 65+ speed. If his plate discipline carries into the majors, he'll be a perennial 3+ WAR guy.
  2. Owen Caissie
    Best bat in the system. Improvement in strikeout rates makes me think he's gaining feel for the zone. His glove is improving in right field. This kid is a stud.
  3. Cade Horton
    Best arm the Cubs have had in the system in a LONG time. Hopefully his relative freshness after barely pitching in college means he'll stay healthy and durable for a long while. His slider is a top ten pitch in all of minor league baseball.
  4. Kevin Alcantara
    It's rare that five-tool guys also have high baseball IQs, but that's Alcantara in a nutshell. If he stays healthy, he's capable of becoming an even better prospect at his peak than PCA is right now.
  5. Jordan Wicks
    A lefty pitching prospect with a dominant changeup and a history of adjusting to whatever challenge the next level throws at him. If Steele is Lester and Horton is Arrieta, this guy is the next Hendricks.
  6. Ben Brown
    Didn't love the Robertson trade when it happened, but Brown has really shown something here in 2023. He's struggled with his command pretty deeply at Triple-A, but his raw stuff is as good as anyone's. And that hammer curveball is something to behold.
  7. Matt Shaw
    This is a pick right out of the Theo Epstein era. High-quality college bat with an advanced feel capable of quickly ascending through the minors. He'll probably have to move to third with the middle infield blocked off, but Shaw's bat should play anywhere.
  8. Matt Mervis
    I haven't lost faith. He's a big lefty bat with great discipline and hitting more line drives than ever. His cup of coffee in May wasn't great, but Mervis has a chance to be the Cubs first basemen of the future if he can bring his plate approach from Triple-A into the majors.
  9. James Triantos
    It speaks volumes to the Cubs' depth that I have this guy all the way down at 9th. His bat stays in the zone for an exceptionally long period, and his feel for hitting may be the best in the entire system. Finding him a long-term defensive home would do wonders for his chances of being the big leagues in short order.
  10. Alexander Canario
    God that injury over the winter sucked. He had a massive breakout season in 2022, and his power is the most prodigious on the farm. If he's ever fully healthy again, he should resume his spot as the rightful heir to right field in Wrigley.
  11. Moises Ballesteros
    If Triantos isn't the guy with the best feel for hitting in the system, it's this guy. Who knows if he can stick at catcher long-term, but his bat is beyond advanced for his age and level. One of my favorite players in the system.
  12. Brennan Davis
    Man. This hurts. And even 12 is probably generous after the last two years of injuries and underperformance. If he can ever get right again, his tools are as loud as anyone from the previous core. 2024 is make or break for the former top prospect.
  13. Jackson Ferris
    I'm the down-man on this guy. I liked the Cubs' strategy in the 2022 draft of going under-slot college pitcher (Horton) and over-slot high school guy, but my opinions on them have flipped (Horton has impressed, Ferris has not). He's got a ton of projectability, but that deliver is so complex that I wonder how he'll respond to the inevitable simplification of it.
  14. Haydn McGeary
    I don't know how I could put this guy any lower. After an obscene college career, he's just taken every level of minor league baseball to task this year. Incredible hand-eye coordination and easy loft in his swing makes me think we'll see him in the majors shortly (against all odds for a 15th round pick last year).
  15. Cristian Hernandez
    My hype for him has been waning, but it's important to remember he's a 19 year old in A-ball. He's got time to make good on his incredible talents.
  16. Jefferson Rojas
    He's flying up my list, and will probably be top ten in the system by the offseason.
  17. Pablo Aliendo
    He's slowed down after a torrid start at the plate this year, but he's got legit catching chops and could pair with Amaya down the road as an elite two-way catching tandem.
  18. Brandon Birdsell
    He's just having a monster season at High-A. He'll be in the Double-A rotation before the year is out, and he's quickly becoming one of the most important starting pitching prospects in the system.
  19. Michael Arias
    A converted shortstop with an elite fastball and funky delivery. He's got a ton of relief risk, but he'll be an impact arm some way or another.
  20. Kohl Franklin
    He has a top three changeup in the system in my eyes, and is one of the few arms the Cubs have that poses practically zero relief risk. I still have a lot of faith that he'll be a back-end starter in Wrigley for a long time to come.
Outshined_One Cooperstown

Outshined_One

Community Moderator
Posted
Posted
  1. Pete Crow-Armstrong
  2. Cade Horton
  3. Matt Shaw
  4. Jordan Wicks
  5. Miguel Amaya
  6. Owen Caissie
  7. Ben Brown
  8. Kevin Alcantara
  9. Jackson Ferris
  10. Matt Mervis
  11. Moises Ballesteros
  12. James Triantos
  13. Alexander Canario
  14. Josh Rivera
  15. Luis Vazquez
  16. Brennan Davis
  17. Richard Gallardo
  18. Jefferson Rojas
  19. Pablo Aliendo
  20. BJ Murray Jr

Post-deadline, not much changed at the top of the list, save for Caissie moving ahead of Brown/Alcantara.  Outside the Top 10, Made (trade), Hernandez (eh), and Palencia (meh) all dropped off the list, so Vazquez, Aliendo, and Murray get the bump from Honorable Mentions.  I also toyed with dropping Mervis off the Top 10 due to his recent slump and the Cubs' seeming refusal to call him up, but no one below him really jumped out enough for me to justify it at this point.

cincycub31 Prep Ball

cincycub31

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
  1. Pete Crow-Armstrong
    Should be roaming CF in Wrigley next year if he has a good spring.
  2. Cade Horton
    Still needs to build up innings, but has produced at every level so far.
  3. Kevin Alcantara
    Big year in 2024 if he isn't traded. Needs to show he can hit in high minors, but very high ceiling.
  4. Ben Brown
    Swing and miss stuff with high ceiling
  5. Owen Caissie
    I get the K issue, but man he can hit and super young for level. I really like his make up too. He and PCA just seem to really love the game.
  6. Matt Shaw
  7. Jordan Wicks
    1st rounder producing at upper levels.
  8. Miguel Amaya
    Maybe not a prospect anymore...wish they gave him more AB at ML level.
  9. Moises Ballesteros
    Maybe the best pure hitter in the organization
  10. Matt Mervis
    Deserves a second shot, but probably won't come until 2024
  11. Jackson Ferris
    Very promising start, just needs to continue building innings and refining stuff and control
  12. Alexander Canario
    I have a feeling we haven't heard the last of him...maybe some AFL action?
  13. James Triantos
    Want to see more in game power
  14. Brennan Davis
    If he doesn't come back playing well, will start to disappear from these lists.
  15. Michael Arias
    Can he repeat 2023 performance moving up a level in 2024?
  16. BJ Murray Jr
    He just keeps hitting and drawing walks. Maybe should be higher
  17. Jefferson Rojas
    Looks promising, but can he continue to do it as he moves up levels.
  18. Haydn McGeary
    Will have same questions as Mervis I think. Will need to prove it at every level.
  19. Brandon Birdsell
    Has just been steady all year
  20. Kohl Franklin
    Maybe a little bias based on last 6 starts, but those starts have been awfully good (with one exception) High upside. Lack of health and innings worrisome.

Could easily have gone 30+, a lot of tough decisions in the 15-20 range.  Ultimately I left off some high leverage relievers for some SP upside.  Next ten in no particular order:  C. Hernandez (is Alexis maybe better?), Palencia, L.Little, Gallardo, L. Vazquez, P. Hodge, Aliendo, D. Valdez, D. Gray, Jaxon Wiggins. 

CandidCubs College Ball

CandidCubs

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
  1. Cade Horton
    This is a controversial pick with moving PCA out of the top spot. HOWEVER, he has 94 strikeouts in 69 innings and has made it look easy. His plus fastball and breaking stuff feel Major League Bullpen ready today. The Cubs clearly believe in his potential, as he has sky-rocketed to Double A. These advance college picks felt aggressive by the organization, but really fit into the apparent current window. This is also the first pick in the draft of the "Carter Hawkins Era."
  2. Pete Crow-Armstrong
    Highlight catches. Game-changing speed. Solid bat. I want him to get a cup of coffee in September to see how the bat plays vs MLB pitching, specifically lefties. He is a ML Gold Glove defender now. I am worried about swing and miss.
  3. Matt Shaw
  4. Kevin Alcantara
  5. Jordan Wicks
  6. Ben Brown
  7. Owen Caissie
  8. Miguel Amaya
  9. Jackson Ferris
  10. Moises Ballesteros
  11. Matt Mervis
    I am not low on Matt Mervis. I, however, do not want to go into 2024 with him in the reins. Makes a Bellinger/Alonso pursuit interesting.
  12. James Triantos
  13. Daniel Palencia
  14. Alexander Canario
  15. Jefferson Rojas
  16. Cristian Hernandez
  17. Brennan Davis
  18. Josh Rivera
  19. Jaxon Wiggins
  20. Will Sanders
TomtheBombadil Knoxville Smokies

TomtheBombadil

North Side Jail
Posted
Posted
  1. Pete Crow-Armstrong
    Having one of the best all around prospect seasons in the minors
  2. Cade Horton
    Not blowing up expectations and I'm maybe most impressed by a more filled out lower body and better lower body mechanics
  3. BJ Murray Jr
    Enjoying a breakout in AA at 3B, may have more offense in the tank by pulling more balls
  4. Matt Shaw
    Could move fast, position TBD
  5. Derniche Valdez
    If you can forgive some Ks, may be showing signs of being the most advanced RHH to enter the org in some time. Power potential
  6. Owen Caissie
    This high in part because a 20 YO LHH with game power in AA has strong trade value. EVs and patience suggest a real ceiling, groundballs and K suggest it may take some time. Drafted at 17 out of a Canadian HS, big frame. Earnest defender with an arm but that also needs reps
  7. Jordan Wicks
    Getting through 2023 would be a big win after missing time to an elbow injury. Not hurting himself in Iowa overall but has lost some Ks
  8. Richard Gallardo
    Bah, this ankle injury...Otherwise was enjoying a breakout including maybe averaging 95-96 this season on the FB, hitting 99...High utility curveballs but power slider and changeup need some shaping up. Pre-injury was more or less on pace for 150 IP. Struck out the first batter in 3 pitches last start (FB, FB, CV) before tripping trying to field a soft grounder, could come back with more of a power game. I did think about knocking him out entirely
  9. Jaxon Wiggins
    Power arm recovering from TJ, changeup as primary offspeed suggests more pitchability than expected looking at his stats, could be a 100/90 guy with fastball, changeup, slider
  10. Jackson Ferris
    Averaging less than 3 IP on the season but improving lately, very raw and still building up arm strength but there's a bat missing starter's ceiling. Another prospect with sneaky trade Value this coming offseason
  11. Moises Ballesteros
    Another guy with a trade value bump. Better approach but doesn't have Caissie's raw or game power. Could be a catcher but a ways to go
  12. Kevin Alcantara
    CF defense got him a 40 spot and makes him a likely MLer, has raw power, approach makes it tough to say whether he'll hit at all. So high in part because he has some meaningful trade value
  13. James Triantos
    Another trade value bump. Improved approach this year but running into the same problem as Ballesteros where he's not getting over the fence power and doesn't have a ton of projection
  14. Luke Little
    Up to AAA, 93-97 this year with a new splitter, still working on mechanics, shapes, overall strength and conditioning but the tools are there for a power LHRP. Also has some trade value as an upper minors bat missing lefty
  15. Marino Santy
    Underrated season featuring higher workload, weak contact, missed bats, and a ton of GBs (~66% in his MiLB career, 63% this year), up to 96-97, seems like his breaking stuff is as productive as anyone's in the org. Beter than Little was at the level in 2022
  16. Ethan Hearn
    Nothing unexpected happening for me as he's maintained his approach but overall hitting less and for less power at the new level. High defensive ceiling as a catcher and one of the better batted ball profiles in the org other than HR/FB carries this profile, still a potential 2 way catcher with a rising floor as the defense improves
  17. Drew Gray
    Building up arm strength after TJ, similar to Santy but not as outstanding, could be a riser next year
  18. Ben Brown
    Has 4 shapely, power pitches to start, would love a big park like KC's or NYM's, but command and control seem reliever-y for this org. Currently injured
  19. Brennan Davis
    Looking yoked out in Arizona and probably feeling a little miffed these days....Brennen*
  20. Brett Bateman
    High energy, high contact LHH with the glove to play anywhere in the OF, and can run. The lack of power hurts him less than it would others, a 9th round pick with stuff all ML teams are happy to have

Left off Amaya and Palencia on purpose

Something ~ like this maybe

Tim MVP

Tim

Site Manager
Posted
Posted
26 minutes ago, TomtheBombadil said:
  1. Pete Crow-Armstrong
    Having one of the best all around prospect seasons in the minors
  2. Cade Horton
    Not blowing up expectations and I'm maybe most impressed by a more filled out lower body and better lower body mechanics
  3. BJ Murray Jr
    Enjoying a breakout in AA at 3B, may have more offense in the tank by pulling more balls
  4. Matt Shaw
    Could move fast, position TBD
  5. Derniche Valdez
    If you can forgive some Ks, may be showing signs of being the most advanced RHH to enter the org in some time. Power potential
  6. Owen Caissie
    This high in part because a 20 YO LHH with game power in AA has strong trade value. EVs and patience suggest a real ceiling, groundballs and K suggest it may take some time. Drafted at 17 out of a Canadian HS, big frame. Earnest defender with an arm but that also needs reps
  7. Jordan Wicks
    Getting through 2023 would be a big win after missing time to an elbow injury. Not hurting himself in Iowa overall but has lost some Ks
  8. Richard Gallardo
    Bah, this ankle injury...Otherwise was enjoying a breakout including maybe averaging 95-96 this season on the FB, hitting 99...High utility curveballs but power slider and changeup need some shaping up. Pre-injury was more or less on pace for 150 IP. Struck out the first batter in 3 pitches last start (FB, FB, CV) before tripping trying to field a soft grounder, could come back with more of a power game. I did think about knocking him out entirely
  9. Jaxon Wiggins
    Power arm recovering from TJ, changeup as primary offspeed suggests more pitchability than expected looking at his stats, could be a 100/90 guy with fastball, changeup, slider
  10. Jackson Ferris
    Averaging less than 3 IP on the season but improving lately, very raw and still building up arm strength but there's a bat missing starter's ceiling. Another prospect with sneaky trade Value this coming offseason
  11. Moises Ballesteros
    Another guy with a trade value bump. Better approach but doesn't have Caissie's raw or game power. Could be a catcher but a ways to go
  12. Kevin Alcantara
    CF defense got him a 40 spot and makes him a likely MLer, has raw power, approach makes it tough to say whether he'll hit at all. So high in part because he has some meaningful trade value
  13. James Triantos
    Another trade value bump. Improved approach this year but running into the same problem as Ballesteros where he's not getting over the fence power and doesn't have a ton of projection
  14. Luke Little
    Up to AAA, 93-97 this year with a new splitter, still working on mechanics, shapes, overall strength and conditioning but the tools are there for a power LHRP. Also has some trade value as an upper minors bat missing lefty
  15. Marino Santy
    Underrated season featuring higher workload, weak contact, missed bats, and a ton of GBs (~66% in his MiLB career, 63% this year), up to 96-97, seems like his breaking stuff is as productive as anyone's in the org. Beter than Little was at the level in 2022
  16. Ethan Hearn
    Nothing unexpected happening for me as he's maintained his approach but overall hitting less and for less power at the new level. High defensive ceiling as a catcher and one of the better batted ball profiles in the org other than HR/FB carries this profile, still a potential 2 way catcher with a rising floor as the defense improves
  17. Drew Gray
    Building up arm strength after TJ, similar to Santy but not as outstanding, could be a riser next year
  18. Ben Brown
    Has 4 shapely, power pitches to start, would love a big park like KC's or NYM's, but command and control seem reliever-y for this org. Currently injured
  19. Brennan Davis
    Looking yoked out in Arizona and probably feeling a little miffed these days....Brennen*
  20. Brett Bateman
    High energy, high contact LHH with the glove to play anywhere in the OF, and can run. The lack of power hurts him less than it would others, a 9th round pick with stuff all ML teams are happy to have

Left off Amaya and Palencia on purpose

Something ~ like this maybe

So the ankle injury was enough to drop Gallardo from #1 to #8?

Hearn went from #2 to out of your top 20 in two months?

Tim MVP

Tim

Site Manager
Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

Hearn is at 16

Oops - I had given up understanding by that point

 

  • Haha 2

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
The North Side Baseball Caretaker Fund
The North Side Baseball Caretaker Fund

You all care about this site. The next step is caring for it. We’re asking you to caretake this site so it can remain the premier Cubs community on the internet. Included with caretaking is ad-free browsing of North Side Baseball.

Become a Caretaker

  • Member Statistics

    6,793
    Total Members
    13,056
    Most Online
    Kevin OBrien
    Newest Member
    Kevin OBrien
    Joined
×
×
  • Create New...