Prospects by position

[Lauf45]

If the Cubs were to go with a youth movement next season, who are the best prospect by position that we could see?

I am do not have much knowledge of the farm system.

[Outshined_One]

I'll give you a quick run down on each hitter who has a shot, starting with the most likely. Any glaring omissions on my part get a pre-emptive "My bad!" by the way. :D

 

Bank on it

 

LF/RF Matt Murton - He's shown what he can do, you know what to expect with him. He has yet to showcase his ability to steal a base, though.

 

SS Ronny Cedeno - See Murton, Matt.

 

CF Felix Pie - The top overall prospect in the Cubs' system who would already be up now were it not for an unfortunate ankle injury which he'll be returning from shortly. Think Corey Patterson. Great tools, still needs to master the strike zone. Could be the starting CF from day one next season.

 

OF Adam Greenberg - Already called up this season...but got plunked in a pretty bad way. Scrappy guy, Lenny Dykstra-like. Speedy, gets the most out of his abilities. Plays all OF positions.

 

Util Mike Fontenot - Was up briefly earlier this season. Ideal bench guy who can play 2B, 3B, and some SS. Not much power, but can take walks and hit for decent average.

 

1B/OF Brandon Sing - Depends on what the team's needs are, but definitely will be up by next September at the latest. Apparently he's done a fantastic job in the outfield this season from a defensive standpoint. Has terrific patience, power, and can hit the ball for average pretty well.

 

OF Luis Montanez - El Busto has managed to redeem himself this season. The former first round pick flamed out at SS, but has managed to redeem himself as an outfielder. A hilariously weak arm limits him to left. His bat has been effective this season, hitting lots of doubles and line drives. Heck, maybe he'll pan out after all? September of next year is a good possibility.

 

Likely, But Not Definite

 

3B Scott Moore - Defensive issues at third base make me wonder, but if Ramirez goes down, he'll be the best option from a ceiling standpoint. Five tool player who has some nice patience. If he repeats his numbers in AA and shows this season was not a fluke, he might see some action in the bigs.

 

3B Casey McGehee - The Southern League's best defensive third baseman. He should start the season next year in AAA and will probably be the top option if Ramirez goes down and Moore's not ready. He can hit for average and take a walk, but he likely won't hit for the power you'd expect of a third baseman.

 

Util Richard Lewis - I honestly don't know what to expect of this guy. He's clearly not as good as his AA numbers said...but I also don't think he's as bad as his AAA numbers this season. He's a stellar defensive 2B, but it seems like he'll be relegated to bench duty for his career. My gut feeling is that he'll be traded somewhere in the offseason.

 

Util Ryan Theriot - Old for his level, doesn't have much power, has a good K/BB rate, and can hit for average. What's going to matter here is how the Cubs view him in terms of his future.

 

CF/SS Buck Coats - An intriguing prospect. His bat is most attractive at SS, but he's been an adventure there defensive. His bat is not quite as appealing in CF, but apparently he's shown some good defense there. Who knows?

 

C Geovanny Soto - Probably will take over as the backup catcher in 2007. Very good behind the dish, calls a good game, and can take a lot of walks. That's pretty much the extent of it, though. Probably will be a September callup this season, but it all depends on what the Cubs plan on doing with this guy.

 

1B/OF Micah Hoffpauir - It's tough to get a read on what the Cubs want to do with him. He doesn't seem to have the ideal bat to lock down a 1B or OF position, but he could make a nice utility player down the line. He might be traded...but who knows?

 

OF Dwayne Bacon - Prototypical speedy slap-happy CF with no power. There's a logjam of guys ahead of him, so he might not end up in the majors next season.

 

Unlikely

 

C Jose Reyes - Think Henry Blanco. Needs time behind the dish to hone his skills. Will likely be in AAA next season, but might get a call if injuries happen.

 

C Jake Fox - The second best catcher in the Cubs system from an offensive ceiling standpoint (behind Reed, although we'll see what happens with Carter). Can't say I know much about how he calls his games. Will probably be in AA full time next season. Would have to hit lights out to make a case to get called up next season.

 

CF Chris Walker - See Dwayne Bacon, only knock him down a level.

 

2B Eric Patterson - Doing quite well in Peoria, but needs to face more advanced pitching and cut down on that K rate. If he starts in AA next season, he should have a pretty good shot of getting a call some time next season. But if he's down in Daytona, I'm not entirely sure of his odds.

 

CF Sam Fuld - See Chris Walker, only cut down on his speed and patience, increase his power, and knock him down a level.

 

Miniscule Chance

 

RF Ryan Harvey - The second best power ceiling (behind Dopirak) and second best overall ceiling (behind Pie) in the system. Will be starting out the season in Daytona (High A) next season. If he wants to see time in the majors next season, he'll have to tear the Florida State League and the Southern League to shreds, cut down on his Ks, and up his BBs. Already a plus defensive RF with good speed and an arm to match.

 

1B Brian Dopirak - I'm not going to start any fights about him, but I have faith he'll have a bounceback year next season, be it in Daytona or West Tenn. Dopirak seeing the majors next season would require two things. First, what I posted above about Harvey needing to see the majors, and second, Derrek Lee either getting injured or slumping terribly.

 

If you want a list of pitchers, feel free to ask.

Edited August 10, 2005 by Outshined_One

[RyCubsFan]

I'll have a huge post typed out here in a bit. Just reserving my spot. :D

 

I just typed one...about two pages of one....only to have it accidentally deleted when my computer program crashed as I was posting! Grrrrrr. So I defer to you, Outshined.

 

I had Pie in Center, Murton in left, Corey in right, (Sing on the bench)

I had Cedeno at short (and Fontenot as a utility guy)

[Lauf45]

I'm assuming, of course, Lee is still at 1st base.

[Outshined_One]

I'm assuming, of course, Lee is still at 1st base.

 

I pretty much assumed that you'd have Ramirez and Lee at the corners and would only have to be replaced if either some insane trade went down or if injuries struck.

 

See above, by the way. :D

[biittner77]

Take away Burnitz and Nomar and the Cubs team is already pretty young in that they aren't crowding with aging vets( I don't know off the top of my head, how old is Lawton?)

 

I'd like to see the Cubs start Cedeno at SS and Murton in RF making the lineup:

 

LF Lawton

RF Murton

1st Lee

3rd Ramirez

2nd Walker

C Barrett

CF Patterson

SS Cedeno

 

Not as much thunder in that lineup but better OBP. If Patterson returns to form swap him with Walker. If Patterson continues to struggle promote Pie and slide him into a low pressure spot in the lineup to ease the transition. If Murton struggles, move Walker to #2. If Murton flops completely there should be more OF help available through trade next season.

 

Replace Macias with Fontenot

add Greenburg or Bacon as the 4th OF

The utility INF, PH bat and backup catcher can and should be veterans.

[sporrer17]

( I don't know off the top of my head, how old is Lawton?)

 

34?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

( I don't know off the top of my head, how old is Lawton?)

 

34?

 

He turns 34 in November.

[dalgreen]

Take away Burnitz and Nomar and the Cubs team is already pretty young in that they aren't crowding with aging vets( I don't know off the top of my head, how old is Lawton?)

 

I'd like to see the Cubs start Cedeno at SS and Murton in RF making the lineup:

 

LF Lawton

RF Murton

1st Lee

3rd Ramirez

2nd Walker

C Barrett

CF Patterson

SS Cedeno

 

Not as much thunder in that lineup but better OBP. If Patterson returns to form swap him with Walker. If Patterson continues to struggle promote Pie and slide him into a low pressure spot in the lineup to ease the transition. If Murton struggles, move Walker to #2. If Murton flops completely there should be more OF help available through trade next season.

 

Replace Macias with Fontenot

add Greenburg or Bacon as the 4th OF

The utility INF, PH bat and backup catcher can and should be veterans.

 

I know we're only playing "what ifs", but it sure would be nice if the Cubs can field a lineup without the usual "ifs" to it. Man, our "ifs" sure didn't pan out this season.

[sporrer17]

Cedeno at SS (Nomar to 2b...or vice versa)

Murton in LF

 

Both of them playing everyday. That's as much of a youth movement as I see coming. Maybe Pie in CF over Patterson...but outside of that, there isn't a whole lot else we can do.

[biittner77]

Take away Burnitz and Nomar and the Cubs team is already pretty young in that they aren't crowding with aging vets( I don't know off the top of my head, how old is Lawton?)

 

I'd like to see the Cubs start Cedeno at SS and Murton in RF making the lineup:

 

LF Lawton

RF Murton

1st Lee

3rd Ramirez

2nd Walker

C Barrett

CF Patterson

SS Cedeno

 

Not as much thunder in that lineup but better OBP. If Patterson returns to form swap him with Walker. If Patterson continues to struggle promote Pie and slide him into a low pressure spot in the lineup to ease the transition. If Murton struggles, move Walker to #2. If Murton flops completely there should be more OF help available through trade next season.

 

Replace Macias with Fontenot

add Greenburg or Bacon as the 4th OF

The utility INF, PH bat and backup catcher can and should be veterans.

 

I know we're only playing "what ifs", but it sure would be nice if the Cubs can field a lineup without the usual "ifs" to it. Man, our "ifs" sure didn't pan out this season.

 

It would be nice, however, every team has it's share of "IF"s.

 

There's also the question of value:

 

Should the Cubs throw a lot of money at a guy like Wagner or Burnett or should they go with youth?

 

Is it worth seeing if Lawton has 2 good years left or do you spend 5 yrs/70 million on Damon?

 

Is Giles' decline in recent years due to the park he plays in or eroding of his skills?

 

The only things that can be said with absolute certainty when it comes to baseball is that every team will win at least 50 games and that I will continue to hate the Cardinals.

[stitchface]

Is it worth seeing if Lawton has 2 good years left or do you spend 5 yrs/70 million on Damon?

 

I don't see Damon ageing well and $14 million a year is too much in his prime.

[Sarcastic]

What are Cedeno's career minor league numbers like? What do the scouts have to say about him? I know he's done a great job in half a year at AAA this year, but what are his other qualifications? The organization can't hand the shortstop job to just anyone.

[sporrer17]

What are Cedeno's career minor league numbers like? What do the scouts have to say about him? I know he's done a great job in half a year at AAA this year, but what are his other qualifications? The organization can't hand the shortstop job to just anyone.

 

Cedeno was never a good hitter until the '04 season, where he started to turn it around in AA. However, he was always fairly young for his league (in the majors by 22 isn't bad). This season he's been much better as a hitter than anyone could have ever imagined.

 

He's got great defense, also. If he continues to hit like this in AAA, I don't see how he doesn't get a shot.

[Tim]

What are Cedeno's career minor league numbers like? What do the scouts have to say about him? I know he's done a great job in half a year at AAA this year, but what are his other qualifications? The organization can't hand the shortstop job to just anyone.

 

Cedeno was never a good hitter until the '04 season, where he started to turn it around in AA. However, he was always fairly young for his league (in the majors by 22 isn't bad). This season he's been much better as a hitter than anyone could have ever imagined.

 

He's got great defense, also. If he continues to hit like this in AAA, I don't see how he doesn't get a shot.

Cedeno was an excellent hitter when he was in the rookie league (he won a batting title there, in fact).

[sporrer17]

That's true. That was also way back when I had no idea what minor league baseball was lol.

[weather2]

Matt Murton: Enough punch to be a corner OF?

A Greenberg: Avg at everything. Is he good at anything?

R Cedeno: His AAA power numbers have to be a sample-size fluke. Don't they?

M. Hoffpauir: How can a guy with so little power be a AAA-1B, let alone major league 1B.

M. Fontenot: Can he play SS well enough to be a major league UT?

B. Sing: Is he quick enough to play OF?

N. Frese: Is it too late?

R. Theriot: Great control of strike zone. Can he walk more? Can he play SS well?