Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America
2013 (12) | 2012 (14) | 2011 (16) | 2010 (14) | 2009 (27)
2013 Affiliate Records
MLB: [66-96] NL Central
AAA: [66-78] Pacific Coast League – Iowa
AA: [76-62] Southern League – Tennessee
A+: [75-51] Florida State League – Daytona
A: [55-80] Midwest League – Kane County
A(ss): [41-35] Northwest League — Boise
Graduated Prospects
Junior Lake (OF); Chris Rusin (LHP); Hector Rondon (RHP); Blake Parker (RHP)
The Run Down
Twins and Astros fans might take umbrage with this statement, but from a fantasy perspective, the Cubs have the most exciting farm in the minors. It starts with Javier Baez, of course, but the impact potential runs throughout this top ten, with every prospect bringing at least one high-end fantasy tool to the table. And I could’ve gone deeper too, with upper-levels arms like Arodys Vizaino and Neil Ramirez set to surface this season, and top latin talent, Eloy Jimenez, lurking at the instructional level. Plain and simple: this system is stacked. Some of you know that I was raised a Cardinals fan, and that the Redbirds are still my team. As such, I should be taken seriously when I tell you that the future of the Cubs is really friggin’ bright, and it is near, and it scares the piss out of me.
Top Ten Fantasy Prospects
1. Javier Baez, SS: Javier Baez punishes baseballs. If you’ve never witnessed the 21-year-old punish a baseball, please do so now. Want more? Here’s more. Now take a moment to towel off. My unhealthy adoration of Javier Baez is well documented (thanks Sky). Coming off a 2013 during which he hit .282/.341/.578 with 37 homers and 20 stolen bases in 577 PA between High-A and Double-A, Baez comes in at #7 in my top 25 for 2014. The cumulative 2013 line doesn’t tell the whole story, though. Baez actually struggled out of the gate at Daytona, and didn’t really start heating up until late-May. From there he just went bonkers, drilling 9 long balls in June, and forcing a call-up to Double-A in early July. Through 54 games at Tennessee to finish the year, he collected 20 additional homers and posted an ISO at .344. Simply put, you’re going to want Baez on your squad when he surfaces at Wrigley this summer. If you’re looking for 2014’s Trout/Puig-type impact arrival, this is a good place to start. ETA: 2014
2. Kris Bryant, 3B: The 2nd overall pick last June, Bryant is another Cubs prospect capable of significant fantasy impact as soon as he surfaces. After appearing at three levels (Rk, A-, A+) and posting a 1.078 OPS along the way, the Cubs sent the 22-year-old to the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .364/.457/.727 and claimed MVP honors. 30+ HR potential and a hit tool that could have him batting near .300 will make Bryant a coveted fantasy piece for years and years. He’ll begin 2014 at Double-A Tennessee, where we might begin to see the Cubs using him at a corner outfield post — Chicago has a stable of infielders on the way up, and while Bryant is a capable defender at the hot corner, he figures to fit into their long-term plans as an outfielder. ETA: Late 2014
3. Jorge Soler, OF: Another Cubs prospect with 30+ HR potential? Another Cubs prospect with 30+ HR potential. Soler’s 2013 was shortened after suffering a broken leg, which sets him back developmentally, but the long-term outlook has not been damaged. The 21-year-old Cuban should be ready for upper levels baseball by mid-season. ETA: 2015
4. Arismendy Alcantara, SS: In a full season at Double-A Tennessee, Alcantara hit .271/.352/.451 with 55 XBH (15 HR) and 31 SB in 571 PA. The 22-year-old is often overlooked, lost among the big names of this farm system, but make no mistake, there is potential here to help across the board in fantasy from a middle infield position. Alcantara will get started at Triple-A Iowa to begin 2014, but he’ll be considered for a big league role as soon as there’s a need. ETA: 2014
5. Albert Almora, OF: Almora has the type of hit tool that’s going to make noise at every level, but after an injury-shortened full-season debut, there remain questions about the 19-year-old’s potential in the power and speed departments. The speed, actually, is unlikely to ever be a useful weapon for him, but scouts are still hopeful that the power will make considerable progress as he pushes through the minors. He’ll get a High-A assignment this spring, and his performance at Dayton in his first true full season of pro ball will be a good indicator as to the type of impact Almora can bring to the fantasy game. ETA: 2015
6. C.J. Edwards, RHP: Through 24 starts between Low-A and High-A, Edwards posted a 1.86 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, and a K/9 at 12.0. The 22-year-old arrived in the Cubs org via Texas as a part of the Matt Garza swap last summer. His stuff is great, and the results have been outstanding, but there are still questions about the body, and the long-term projection given some physical limitations. At 6-2, 155, Edwards is awfully skinny, and that aspect of his profile have folks concerned about durability. For as long as he’s healthy and successful, though, the Cubs will continue to bring him along as a starter. If he can prove he can hold up physically over a starter’s workload, Edwards can definitely become a high-impact fantasy starter. ETA: 2015
7. Dan Vogelbach, 1B: Like Edwards, there are concerns about Dan Vogelbach’s body, but these concerns are quite the opposite. You see, Vogelbach is sorta tubby. Even so, he can really hit, as evidenced by his .284/.375/.449 line in 2013, and there’s room for that sort of bat in the big leagues, regardless of girth. There’s big time power potential here, too, and if everything goes as planned, Vogelbach should develop into a Matt Adams-type 1B. He’ll begin 2014 at High-A Daytona. ETA: 2015
8. Mike Olt, 3B/1B: Olt’s prospect status has been on a Trevor Bauer-like plummet over the past year, and there are plenty of reasons — an eye issue, approach concerns, mechanics concerns — why his fall from grace is warranted. Still, it’s hard to forget that less than two years ago Olt was viewed as a high-impact talent with skills to hit for average and power. At 25-years-old, there’s not much time left for him to correct his path, but I believe he’s capable of becoming a fantasy-relevant 3B this season, and the Cubs will give him the opportunity to do so. ETA: 2014
9. Pierce Johnson, RHP: Johnson is probably the safest SP prospect in this org, although his ceiling isn’t of the high-impact variety. The 22-year-old features a bat-missing fastball-curve combo, and he’ll be bringing it to the upper-levels in 2014. If all goes well, he’ll be on track for arrival sometime in 2015, projecting like a mid-rotation starter with upside in fantasy thanks to a whiff-inducing hook. ETA: 2015
10. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: Candelario’s full-season debut wasn’t special (.256/.346/.396, 11 HR), but scouts aren’t discouraged, and he still receives positive reviews with regard to approach and power potential. The 20-year-old will step up to High-A in 2014, where the Cubs hope to see the tools begin to translate into measurable success. Candelario is a serious breakout candidate in 2014, and it’d be wise of dynasty leaguers to keep an eye on his progress in Daytona. ETA: 2016
For a retrospective look at the Cubs farm, peep their 2013 MiLB preview.
