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John also included other C+ prospects that didn't make the list as well as others worth following... John specifically mentions Michael Jensen as someone to keep an eye on. I love that players in the "Others" catagory such as Alberto Cabrera (if he can make the conversion to effective starter), Trey Martin and Robert Whitenack still have a decent ceiling and could be much higher on this list in the not-so-distant future.

Here is the complete Sickels Cubs Top 20 list. That's pretty encouraging if you ask me...

It's nice to see that he's stayed relatively healthy the last two seasons given what happened with the D-Backs. But, as a 23 year old in AA, his numbers dropped off noticeably from the year before. In High-A, he had the numbers I always look for. Less hits than innings pitched, better than 3-to-1 K/BB ratio and more than a K per inning. Only the Ks declined precipitously last year in a notoriously strong hitter's league. I hope this isn't true, but perhaps Brigham was one of many hard throwing relief prospects and the FO felt they needed starters more even if Loux is less talented. One thing Loux is better at is throwing strikes and that fits the FO's profile.

I realize hoping for your team to lose is a borderline thing. I go back and forth on that myself, but maintaining a patient long term approach is much different than tanking a season. I'm a big fan of investing in a top notch front office, scouting staff, developmental staff and potential impact amateur talent. I like having place holders at positions where young talents are close to joining the majors so they have a chance to play and develop at the major league level when they are deemed ready, and so the team can have a chance to see what they've got. I like trading very good 29 year old talent for younger potential impact prospects in their early twenties when your core stars are just entering or have yet to enter their primes. I think these are sound strategies to build a team that competes annually for a world championship. I think we can agree the Cubs are not tanking a season. But as the Cubs are in the 2nd year of a long term rebuilding plan and it would be unwise to sign players like Greinke and Hamilton at this point, is it wrong to hope that the Cubs lose a lot of games this coming season? I wonder myself. That's why I'm asking...

I watched Touki throw 3 straight at 96 in Jupiter. Then he threw an absolutely hellacious curveball to Oscar Mercado. He could be the next Dwight Gooden. Am I wrong for hoping the Cubs stick to the patient path and trade Garza for the best pitching prospects they can (including others to optimize the return), only sign some value free agents that can be flipped if they do well (like they've done by signing Scott Baker), and not be a very good team this season in hopes of having another high draft pick in 2014?

This sounds like a great move. One in a long line of great moves by Cubs ownership and it's new, larger and vastly improved front office. The new Cubs leadership and consequent down the hires in scouting and development are honestly the biggest reason why I am as hopeful as I am for the Cubs' future. Acquiring Rizzo is great. Samardzija blossoming is great. But it is the front office that gives me hope that the small improvement we saw in the Cubs roster this season will continue for years to come.

Does Otani strike anyone as a player worth breaking the bank for? From what I've gathered, he lacks control of a very speedy pitch and that's about it. That's impressive at 18 years old, but he's still quite risky in my estimation.

I can't find an updated list of international free agent signings anywhere. Does anyone know where one can be gotten in order to verify who has what left to spend?

I need a little clarification here. According to the BA quote below, Otani, who was born July 5, 1994, was old enough to sign this year, but apparently he couldn't because he had not graduated high school yet. According to the rule, in order to sign during the 2012-13 signing period, he would have had to register with MLB by May 1st of this year. If he didn't register, he would have to wait until July 2, 2013 to be signed. How exactly does rule apply in Otani's case? We don't know if he registered with MLB prior to May 1st, but assuming he didn't, it sounds like he wouldn't be able to sign with a team until July 2, 2013. Does the fact that he graduated high school somehow change how the rule below is applied? Is there some way to find out if he did register with MLB before the deadline? If he is allowed to sign with any team right away, there does seem to be a silver lining or bullet, depending on how you look at it, to these rules further down the page. That would mean that any team willing to give up signing anyone of significance in 2013-14 and is willing to pay the 100% tax on the overage, could spend whatever they wanted to sign Otani. Since the Cubs will have the 2nd highest IFA budget in 2013-14, they would stand to lose more than most teams by being limited to $250,000 per player signed. And since they are only $665,000 under their limit, they would be paying tax on just about every dollar spent on Otani making him more expensive to the Cubs than some other teams. But, it appears, if they wanted to, they could still back up the Brinks truck for this kid. For those IFA experts out there, did I get anything wrong?

That math doesn't add up, but when you make the $100,000 that de la Rosa signed for into the $700,000 that he actually signed for, then it does. :wink:

Good question. I've been wondering the same thing. Not sure what the Cubs are specifically beholden to do contractually, but now would seem the time to do it. I don't think it would hurt the Cubs too much with other IFAs because of Concepcion's poor performance warranting such a move. I know that the new CBA prohibits draftees from getting a major league contract, but is it still possible for IFA signees to get one?

Good question. I've been wondering the same thing. Not sure what the Cubs are specifically beholden to do contractually, but now would seem the time to do it. I don't think it would hurt the Cubs too much with other IFAs because of Concepcion's poor performance warranting such a move. I know that the new CBA prohibits draftees from getting a major league contract, but is it still possible for IFA signees to get one?

Garza?

Cool. I'll take it, especially from someone like Sickels. I never agreed with the hype on Lee. I thought he belonged in the back end of the top 100. So this is still a meaningful statement for me.

The recent scouting report I read had Rodon's fastball jumping from 88-92 to 92-95 touching 97 with an improved breaking ball since joining NC State. They made it sound like he was a good HS prospect but now has a real shot at being the clear number one overall pick in the 2013 draft. I agree with the chances of him going JUCO are slim, you gotta admit that kind of money is going to be tempting. I don't care who you are or how much your parents care about a college education.

Thanks, Dave and CR. I figured it wasn't very likely. Glad to hear there's still a chance however unlikely. What can I say, I'm a Cubs fan, I like longshots...

Wait, let me get this straight, if he's talking top 50 position players overall, and Vogelbach beat out Hak-Ju Lee, that's pretty impressive. Lee had somewhat of an off year with the bat, but he wasn't terrible for a 21 year old legit SS in AA (.261/.336/.360). Are you saying Sickels ranks Vogelbach ahead of BA's #44 overall prospect of last year?

A 2014 HS shortstop prospect who has a lot of hype as one of the better HS draft prospects in the past decade. Thanks. Obviously the 2014 draft is a ways off and a lot can happen but it looks like we will be drafting in the top 5ish in that draft again. Hopefully we get a shot at him And there was a shot that if he completed his GED that he could've been available in 2013. But alas, that was struck down by MLB. There's still a chance that Carlos Rodon could be available in 2013 if he transfers from NC State to a JUCO, right? Or is too late for that given his school year has already started?

It's official. Cubs will have the 2nd overall pick. This is an important step in the rebuild. Let the dreaming begin...

And does it all with a very easy delivery. Video

Assuming the Red Sox are still in salary dumping mode and open to trading him, which I doubt, I'm still intrigued by finding out what it would take to get Lester. It won't be cheap but they would definitely be buying low. The winter meetings can't come soon enough...

Its clear there are no Harpers or Strasburgs in this class, but I'm wondering who of the available guys do people think has the best chance of being a #1 starter or a perennial all-star position player. I know it's early and some of these high schoolers might distinguish themselves by next June, but I'm interested in hearing people's opinions as to who they think has the best chance of being a guy like that. For me, Meadows seems to have the buzz right now. Love to hear what people who know more than I think...

Well, the fears of drafting 4th or 5th were for naught. The worst the Cubs will be drafting is 3rd with 2nd almost a certainty. The magic number is now 2. That said, my thoughts can't help but prematurely turn towards next year's draft. Who do you think has the highest upside in the draft? Austin Meadows? And this can be different then upside, but who, at this early stage, has the best chance to be a true impact player?

True that. I guess assuming each team plays 162 games, then they would be 4 games up.

Wow, over the last 10 games, I've gotten everything I've asked for. I wanted the Cubs to drop 5 of 6 to the Reds and Cards, and they did. I wanted the Rockies to beat the D-Backs the game before the series with the Cubs so they'd be tied with them going into their 3 game series, and they did. And I wanted the Rockies to sweep the Cubs and be 4 games back (with the tiebreaker added) with 6 to play. I think it's time to play the lottery! Magic number is down to 3 over the Rockies and 1 over the Twins...