Cubs Farm System And Prospects Discussion Thread

CSF77

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Ehh, sometimes these rankings are superficial. Amya had a bad first half with the bat but last two months. The stick was doing well.

They really look at tools and Davis and Marquez both have the ability to become special. Amaya is a solid player but his arm is avg and his hit tool lacks some contact. Nico IMO is over rated. His D is avg and lacks power. But has a plus hit tool and has shown the ability to get on base.

Off all of them it is really close between Davis and Marquez. Davis just needs to work on his skills. Mostly in Baserunning technique and his routes and reads as a CF. He has been getting by with raw talent. But IMO Theo should get him working with a guru in the off season to sharpen his skillset.

Marquez really lacks a strong 3rd pitch. His change is basically a fastball in the lower 90's. That is honestly the only issue with him. But he hits 100 MPH with a power curve.

So IMO these ranking are more so based off of current vs potential. Nico doesn't have the ceiling that those two have.
 

CSF77

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Manny Rodriguez, RHP
Over the offseason, the Cubs added 23-year-old Manny Rodriguez to their 40-man roster. Last year, the hard-throwing righty posted a 3.45 ERA with 65 strikeouts against 17 walks in 47 innings for Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach. He has appeared in three Cactus League games this spring, but is currently dealing with a strained right biceps, with no clear timetable for return.

Quote: "I've got to narrow it down to one? There's so many guys you could go with, but I think I'll go with Manuel Rodriguez here," said David Bote. " He's the first guy I faced in live BP and he went 3-1 curveball, 3-2 curveball with a 99 [mph] four-seamer in his back pocket. I was like, 'Really? This is what we're going with?'

"Kip and I were in it and we were like, 'Uhh.' We didn't have the radar on it, so we didn't know what was going on. We were like, 'Does anybody else think the ball's fuzzy today? If this is what 92 looks like, we're in trouble.' And then we find out he was sitting 99. We were like, 'OK, that makes us feel a little bit better. It can only go up from here.'"
 

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This is going to be a different thread this year..
 

CSF77

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Here's the order for the 2021 Draft:

1) Pirates (19-41)
2) Rangers (22-38)
3) Tigers (23-35)
4) Red Sox (24-36)
5) Orioles (25-35)
6) D-backs (25-35)
7) Royals (26-34)
8) Rockies (26-34)
9) Angels (26-34)
10) Mets (26-34)
11) Nats (26-34)
12) Mariners (27-33)
13) Phillies (28-32)
14) Giants (29-31)
15) Brewers (29-31)
16) Marlins (31-29)
17) Reds (31-29)
18) Cardinals (30-28)
19) Blue Jays (32-28)
20) Yankees (33-27)
21) Cubs (34-26)
22) White Sox (35-25)
23) Indians (35-25)
24) Braves (35-25)
25) A's (36-24)
26) Twins (36-24)
27) Padres (37-23)
28) Rays (40-20)
29) Dodgers (43-17)
 

CSF77

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With the Minor League season opening on May 4, here's where the Cubs' Top 30 Prospects are projected to start:

Brailyn Marquez (MLB No. 51), LHP -- Extended Spring Training
Brennen Davis (MLB No. 52), OF -- Extended Spring Training
Miguel Amaya, C -- Tennessee (Double-A)
Cristian Hernandez, SS -- Dominican complex
Ed Howard, SS -- Myrtle Beach (Low-A)
Kohl Franklin, RHP -- Extended Spring Training
Christopher Morel, 3B -- Tennessee (Double-A)
Ryan Jensen, RHP -- South Bend (High-A)
Chase Strumpf, 2B -- South Bend (High-A)
Reginald Preciado, SS -- Extended Spring Training
Owen Caissie, OF -- Extended Spring Training
Cole Roederer, OF -- South Bend (High-A)
Yohendrick Pinango, OF -- Myrtle Beach (Low-A)
Keegan Thompson, RHP -- Iowa (Triple-A)
Cory Abbott, RHP -- Iowa (Triple-A)
Riley Thompson, RHP -- Extended Spring Training
Burl Carraway, LHP -- South Bend (High-A)
Kevin Made, SS -- Extended Spring Training
Yeison Santana, SS -- Myrtle Beach (Low-A)
Rafael Morel, SS -- Extended Spring Training
Chris Clarke, RHP -- Extended Spring Training
Ethan Hearn, C -- Myrtle Beach (Low-A)
Ronnier Quintero, C -- Extended Spring Training
Ismael Mena, OF -- Extended Spring Training
Luis Verdugo, SS/3B -- Myrtle Beach (Low-A)
Michael McAvene, RHP -- Extended Spring Training
Jordan Nwogu, OF -- Myrtle Beach (Low-A)
D.J. Herz, LHP -- Myrtle Beach (Low-A)
Dauris Valdez, RHP -- Tennessee (Double-A)
Brendon Little, LHP -- Extended Spring Training
Team to watch

Once left-hander Brailyn Marquez and outfielder Brennen Davis arrive from extended Spring Training, where Marquez is building up arm strength and Davis is catching up after missing some time after getting hit in the head by a pitch, Double-A Tennessee will have all three of Chicago's Top 100 Prospects. The third, catcher Miguel Amaya, will open there, as will third baseman Christopher Morel, who has some of the best all-around tools in the system.

 

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South Bend is playing in Beloit a few times this Summer. Think Im going to try and go see a game when they are there.
 

CSF77

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Mock draft: No Leiter, Rocker at No. 1?​

3:57 PM PDT
Jim Callis

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@JimCallisMLB
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In previous years, we'd be roughly a month away from the Draft at this point and the picture would be coming into clearer focus. But with the event pushed back to July 11 and teams having less history than ever on college players because of the pandemic, it's still very fluid.
Vanderbilt right-handers Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker are the most famous players in this Draft and in the upper echelon of available talent, but the public perception that they'll be the first teammates to go Nos. 1 and 2 overall doesn't match industry opinions. Though the Pirates haven't made any final decisions with nearly 10 weeks to go, most clubs believe they'll use the top pick on a high school shortstop, either Jordan Lawlar (Jesuit Prep, Dallas) or Marcelo Mayer (Eastlake HS, Chula Vista, Calif.).

Top 150 Draft Prospects
And while those four players are the consensus top tier of prospects, it's no lock that they'll be the first four selections. Prep shortstop Brady House (Winder-Barrow HS, Winder, Ga.) and Louisville catcher Henry Davis are pushing their way into that group and could be in the mix for the Tigers at No. 3 and the Red Sox at No. 4. The only certainty at the top right now seems to be that Lawlar won't get past his hometown Rangers at No. 2.
As of now, here's our best guess as to how the first round will play out:
1. Pirates: Jordan Lawlar, SS, Jesuit Prep (Dallas)
As a five-tool high school shortstop from the Dallas area, Lawlar draws comparisons to Bobby Witt Jr. (No. 2 to the Royals in 2019), who had louder tools but a less polished bat at the same stage of their careers.
2021 Draft: Jordan Lawlar, SS

Dec 11, 2020
·
0:52

2021 Draft: Jordan Lawlar, SS​


2. Rangers: Jack Leiter, RHP, Vanderbilt
After taking college baseball by storm with a no-hitter in his first Southeastern Conference start and seven no-hit innings in his second, Leiter has surrendered eight homers in the last three weeks as scouts wonder how he'll hold up under by far the biggest workload he's ever had.

3. Tigers: Marcelo Mayer, SS, Eastlake HS (Chula Vista, Calif.)
He might be relatively anonymous compared to the other top-tier talents, but Mayer has the upside of a Corey Seager bat with a Brandon Crawford glove.
4. Red Sox: Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt
Rocker's velocity dipped into the low 90s for three weeks early in the season but the Draft's most physical pitcher has performed consistently well and outperformed Leiter.
Tim Corbin on Rocker, Leiter

May 3, 2021
·
1:52

Tim Corbin on Rocker, Leiter​


5. Orioles: Brady House, SS, Winder-Barrow HS (Winder, Ga.)
House has bounced back after struggling on the showcase circuit last summer and offers some of the best power in the Draft and possibly enough athleticism to stay at shortstop.
6. D-backs: Henry Davis, C, Louisville
In a down year for college bats, Davis is perhaps the only preseason projected first-rounder in that group to exceed expectations, batting .403/.520/.683 with more walks (29) and extra-base hits (19) than strikeouts (15) while continuing to display plus-plus arm strength.
7. Royals: Kahlil Watson, SS, Wake Forest (N.C.) HS
The North Carolina public school season is just getting going, so Watson hasn't been seen much in game action yet, though his 20-20 potential as a quality defender at shortstop should land him in the first 10 picks.
8. Rockies: Gunnar Hoglund, RHP, Mississippi
A Pirates supplemental first-round pick out of high school in 2018, Hoglund has kicked his stuff up a notch this spring and came back from missing a start with biceps stiffness two weeks ago to one-hit South Carolina for six innings last weekend.
9. Angels: Bubba Chandler, RHP/SS, North Oconee HS (Bogart, Ga.)
If there's going to be a wild-card selection in the top 10, most clubs believe it will come from the Angels, who had similar rumors swirling around them last June before making a chalk pick with Reid Detmers at No. 10. They're repeatedly linked to Chandler, the best two-way prospect in the Draft but more of a consensus late first-rounder.
10. Mets: Ty Madden, RHP, Texas
Though Madden has been a trifle inconsistent this spring, he's still a college arm with an impressive combination of stuff, pitchability and track record of success.
11. Nats: Jackson Jobe, RHP, Heritage Hall HS (Oklahoma City)
There's not a pitcher in this Draft with a better combination of three pitches and control, but the industry's skittishness about taking prep righties early could knock Jobe down more than his talent dictates. Still, don't be surprised if he goes in the first half-dozen picks.
12. Mariners: Colton Cowser, OF, Sam Houston
Already one of the best hitters in the college class, Cowser has shown improved power and speed this spring, which should allow him to pass Glenn Wilson (No. 18, 1980) as the highest pick in Bearkats history.
2021 Draft: Colton Cowser, OF

Dec 11, 2020
·
0:45

2021 Draft: Colton Cowser, OF​



13. Phillies: Sal Frelick, OF, Boston College
This might be the floor for Frelick, whom many clubs believe will fit in the top 10 but aren't sure where. He's quicker but smaller and less powerful than Cowser.
14. Giants: Jordan Wicks, LHP, Kansas State
Easily the best left-hander available, Wicks also features the best changeup in the Draft and will become Kansas State's first first-rounder ever.
15. Brewers: Matt McLain, SS, UCLA
Ranked No. 3 on MLB Pipeline's preseason Draft Top 100, McLain slumped in March but heated back up in April and could go earlier than this to a club convinced that he'll stay at shortstop.
16. Marlins: Benny Montgomery, OF, Red Land HS (Lewisberry, Pa.)
Montgomery might have the best all-around physical tools in the Draft, including well-above-average raw power and speed, but he has a hitch in his swing that concerns some clubs.
17. Reds: Sam Bachman, RHP, Miami (Ohio)
Bachman can hit 100 mph with his fastball and flash a top-of-the-scale slider and at least a solid changeup, so he could go higher to a team that fully buys into him as a starter.
18. Cardinals: Andrew Painter, RHP, Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Though he hasn't dominated as much as hoped, Painter is still a projectable 6-foot-6 right-hander with feel for four pitches.
2021 Draft: Andrew Painter, RHP

Dec 7, 2020
·
0:41

2021 Draft: Andrew Painter, RHP​


19. Blue Jays: Joe Mack, C, Williamsville East HS (East Amherst, N.Y.)
Mack's high school season has yet to begin, but he starred on the showcase circuit and is a no-doubt catcher with an advanced approach at the plate.
20. Yankees: Adrian del Castillo, C, Miami
Ranked right behind McLain at No. 4 on our preseason Top 100, del Castillo hasn't snapped out of his early-season doldrums and will slide further if he doesn't start living up to his reputation as having one of the best combinations of hitting ability, power and patience in the college class.
21. Cubs: Michael McGreevy, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
No college pitcher has more helium right now than McGreevy, who endears himself to clubs with his combination of pitch data, polish and performance. He struck out 15 while permitting just two hits and no walks against Cal Poly in his last start.
22. White Sox: Ryan Cusick, RHP, Wake Forest
This feels too low for Cusick, who has run his fastball up to 102 mph while displaying a much-improved curveball this spring, gaining him plenty of suitors in the 10-15 range.
23. Indians: Harry Ford, C, North Cobb HS (Kennesaw, Ga.)
An incredibly athletic catcher who ran a 6.42-second 60-yard dash on the showcase circuit, Ford makes a lot of loud contact and has the versatility to play almost anywhere on the diamond. There's talk that he could sneak into the first 10 picks.
2021 Draft: Harry Ford, C

Dec 4, 2020
·
0:47

2021 Draft: Harry Ford, C​


24. Braves: Tommy Mace, RHP, Florida
A second-round talent in the 2020 Draft, Mace couldn't find a deal to his liking and returned to the Gators after going unpicked. He has helped his cause by adding a four-seamer and improving his curveball, and he offers one of the higher floors among college starters.
25. A's: Jud Fabian, OF, Florida
Fabian fell from top-five consideration when he posted an alarming 38 percent strikeout rate and hit .240 in the first six weeks. He's on the rise again after batting .302 with a 17 percent whiff rate in the last month, and his upside as a power-hitting center fielder could carry him back toward the first 10 picks if he keeps this up.
26. Twins: Ethan Wilson, OF, South Alabama
After a high ankle sprain bothered him in the first month of the season, Wilson is back to being one of the more polished and consistent hitters in the college ranks and could have plus power if he drives more balls in the air.
27. Padres: Chase Petty, RHP, Mainland Regional HS (Linwood, N.J.)
Petty's profile as a 6-foot right-hander with some effort in his delivery scare some clubs, though it’s hard not to love a fastball that reaches 100 mph with turbo sink and an upper-80s slider.
28. Rays: Joshua Baez, OF, Dexter Southfield HS (Brookline, Mass.)
Baez may be raw at the plate, but the Rays excel at player development and his raw power and makeup are among the best in the Draft.
29. Dodgers: Peyton Stovall, 2B, Haughton (La.) HS
No high school position player has boosted his stock this spring more than Stovall, who has one of the best bats available and some natural power.
Did you like this story?

Jim Callis is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow @jimcallisMLB on Twitter. Listen to him on the weekly MLB Pipeline Podcast.

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Tuesday's top prospect performers
12:37 AM PDT
 

beckdawg

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Christopher Morel started tonight in AA at CF which is interesting... He's a some what under the radar prospect but generally plays 3B. If this is something serious and not just a one off it'd be pretty interesting because his bat is kind of underwhelming for a 3B but in CF? Yeah it'll play. He runs well(60 grade) and has a cannon. Definitely something to keep an eye on.
 

CSF77

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Christopher Morel started tonight in AA at CF which is interesting... He's a some what under the radar prospect but generally plays 3B. If this is something serious and not just a one off it'd be pretty interesting because his bat is kind of underwhelming for a 3B but in CF? Yeah it'll play. He runs well(60 grade) and has a cannon. Definitely something to keep an eye on.

Callas has his as best overall tools in system.

His bat is lite.

But if he can man CF and Davis moves to RF. Well then we have something to muse.
 

beckdawg

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I hesitate to say he's back but Jose Albertos has thrown 3.2 innings and only given up 1 walk to 4 ks. I assume he still has the same electric stuff he used to. Could break out if he finally found his command
 

CSF77

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I hesitate to say he's back but Jose Albertos has thrown 3.2 innings and only given up 1 walk to 4 ks. I assume he still has the same electric stuff he used to. Could break out if he finally found his command
22 now. In the pen. So he should be matured and is a good sign going forward.
 

CSF77

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We might need to start following DJ Herz. He might end up a sleeper.
 

zack54attack

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Ed's defense looks good. But he's really struggling at the plate to start the season.
 

CSF77

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Ed's defense looks good. But he's really struggling at the plate to start the season.

Most are. Really none of the hitters have impressed. Davis is still in AZL.

Of the pitchers Herz is making noise. Like I said he is a guy that could skyrocket up.
 

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