The Chicago Cubs farm system has drastically changed over the years.
It wasn’t long ago that Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Javier Baez, Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber, Gleyber Torres, Eloy Jimenez, Dylan Cease, CJ Edwards and Albert Almora were on the list. Now just a few years later, there’s a new name at the top of the list.
Shortstop Aramis Ademan takes the honors of being named the Cubs top prospect for the 2018 season according to Baseball America. He edged out pitchers Adbert Alzolay, Jose Albertos and catcher Victor Carantini for the top spot.
Chicago Cubs prospect rankings and scouting reports up today at Baseball America: https://t.co/NS0xA3H2EG
— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) November 13, 2017
Both Happ and Almora are the latest prospects to graduate out of the class as both had a big impact at the Major League level last season.
Here’s what BA said about the strength of the Cubs farm system:
The Cubs have binged on drafting and signing pitchers in recent years—they spent a pair of 2017 first-round picks on lefthander Brendon Little and righthander Alex Lange—thus turning what had long been an organizational weakness into the biggest strength of a thin system. The majority of those pitchers are still years away from Chicago, however. And some of the most talented pitchers have yet to log a full season of work in the minors.
The Cubs list is dominated by pitching prospects and rightfully so. Chicago loaded up on hitters the last 5-6 years and it paid off in the form of a 2016 World Series title.
With Jake Arrieta and John Lackey likely leaving the team in free agency, Chicago has holes to fill in its rotation. But that’s just one of the problems.
The Cubs bullpen wasn’t very good last season and will need almost a complete overhaul. They will likely be very involved in the free agent market with relievers but we could see some of these young prospects in the next few years.
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