Video: Cubs Top Prospects: BJ Murray Jr

[Aram Leighton]

A switch-hitter with a good feel to hit from both sides of the plate, Murray impressed at the Double-A level last season. Aram and Jack explain why the former 15th round pick should be taken seriously.

View full video

[Bertz]

I wasn't really buying Murray this time last year.  As you get into in the video the tools are all average or a smudge below, and I chalked up the sterling production to beating up on kids.  Most reports also had him fringey at best at 3rd.

But this year he carried his offense up to AA without missing a beat, SUBSTANTIALLY dropped his groundball rate without adding any swing and miss, and now his defense is viewed as pretty average at 3B.  All that from a true switch hitter (he has negligible lefty/righty splits) and I'm really big on Murray.  

[craig]

I love Aram's take that Murray can be solid/average defensively at 3b.  If defense doesn't hold him back, that widens his window of opportunity.  

At present, I don't see a perfect solution at 3B.  So will be interesting to see how that shakes out long-term, or if they end up going outside to fill it. 

1. Murray.  If glove is average, offense/OBP could enable him to be a good contender.
2. Shaw:  Bat appeals.  Can arm be adequate enough, or will that preclude?
3. Triantos:  Contact appeals, unclear whether some power will come or if he'll always be more Hoerner-esque offensively.  *IF* his hitting becomes pretty desirable, with work can his defense ever become acceptable?  Or will he always be a two steps below Murray defensively?
4. Rojas:  Could be the  perfect all-around solution eventually: good-arm/glove/defense guy who also hits and with a little power?  Pretty young, though, so still years to wait, and ability to hit in majors is still lots of projection.  
5. Vasquez:  D would be great.  Could he ever hit enough to actually be a primary guy at 3B?  
6. Rivera:  D excellent.  Probably can't hit, but *IF* his offense surprised us, his defense certainly won't be a showstopper.