To outsiders looking in, Cubs fans are the world's biggest optimists. For the better part of 104 years, Chicagoans have paid to see the Cubs' management field a bad team that can only occasionally compete. Every few years a star free agent is drawn to the North Side and hope is reborn, though the allure that comes with that signing lasts about as long as an Alfonso Soriano at bat.
But now there is reason to be optimistic, and it has nothing to do with free agency. The Cubs have assembled a group of position players with loads of potential. Four of them have joined the Cubs since Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer came to the Windy City. It is unlikely that all of the higher levels prospects are still with the team several years down the road, and even less likely that they will all reach their full potential. Cub fans have to be excited at the potential future of the Friendly Confines, though.
First Base: Anthony Rizzo was the future of first base in Boston. Then in a trade that sent Adrian Gonzalez to Boston, Rizzo became the future middle-of-the-order bat the Padres so sorely needed. After a short, yet rough, stint in San Diego, Rizzo was dealt to Chicago. While nothing is a certainty in sports, it looks as if Rizzo has finally found a home in Chicago. The only talent that Rizzo has shown thus far has been in the minors, but if he can produce in the majors like he has in Iowa, the Cubs will have found a cornerstone player. He has Ryan Howard-esque power, excellent plate discipline and above average fielding skills.
If, by chance, Rizzo's major league struggles in San Diego are an indication of what is to come when he officially takes over at first base in Chicago, Dan Vogelbach is the next man in line. Vogelbach has been compared to Prince Fielder due to his girth, at around 250 pounds) and his ridiculous power. He might not be as well rounded as Rizzo is, but Vogelbach knows what he's doing at the plate.
Second Base: The Cubs have not had a face-of-the-franchise type of second baseman for a very long time. Not that an elite player is needed at the position, but something better than a stopgap would be a nice change. Unless a free agent signs, or a minor league player is to have a breakout season and rise quickly through the ranks, second base will remain a question mark.
Some scouts believe Ronald Torreyes is the top second baseman in the system, while others believe Zeke Devoss has the upper hand. Acquired from Cincinnati, Torreyes is a phenomenal contact hitter whom scouts believe should be able to hit for a high average in the higher levels. Devoss, on the other hand, is far more suited to hit at the top of the lineup. He might not be as good of a contact hitter, and he won't hit for much power, either. His speed and defensive ability are what set him apart, though. Torreyes brings one thing to the table, and that is his ability to hit for contact.
Quite a few Cubs fans have been calling for Darwin Barney's head for upwards of a year. Claiming that he is not suited to be an everyday second baseman, they might have a point. At this point, Barney seems like a better option than either Devoss or Torreyes. Barney is an average hitter that plays average defense with slightly above average speed. For as mediocre as Barney might be, though, he is more rounded than either current minor league option in the Cubs' system.
Shortstop: If there is any position that the Cubs are set at for the foreseeable future, it's shortstop. If there is any position where the Cubs have a gold mine of minor league talent, it's shortstop. The sixth overall pick in the 2011 MLB Entry Draft, Javier Baez brings quite a bit to the table. In all likelihood, he is the best hitter in the Cubs system. He displays good speed and an "I don't lose" attitude that the Cubs currently lack. It's unlikely that Baez will remain at shortstop, and he will more than likely move to third base. Baez's ceiling is exceptionally high, and he doesn't have much bust potential, unless his attitude gets in the way. Even if Baez doesn't reach his potential the Cubs are loaded with other options.
Junior Lake has a long way to go until he meets expectations, but the world is his oyster if he can eventually meet it. Lake has shown flashes of brilliance both at the plate and at shortstop, and appears to be a five tool player. He brings the ability to hit for both power and contact, though not nearly as well as Baez. Scouts believe that Lake has already outgrown shortstop, as he is 6'3'', but that could be a blessing for the Cubs, as they already have a shortstop of the future. Lake may need to learn a new position if he wants an opportunity at the major league level.
Starlin Castro has been the future at shortstop for Chicago since his arrival in 2011. Epstein and Co. have made it clear that he will remain at the position, and he will not be traded any time soon. With Baez, Lake, and other talented shortstop prospects in the Cubs minor league system, the Cubs are faced with a good problem. Other middle-of-the-infield prospects, such as Marco Hernandez and Wes Darvill, will likely be used as trade bait or have to learn new positions, because shortstop looks to be occupied for the next 10-12 years.
Third Base: Since being drafted, Josh Vitters has been the future of third base in Chicago. Drafted straight out of high school, Vitters displayed hitting ability that would make him a stud. Unfortunately, it hasn't been such a smooth ride for the hard hitting third baseman. Vitters has shown that he can swing the bat for contact and power. The reason for his delayed promotion to Chicago is his plate discipline, which remains shaky. Vitters is too much of a free swinger to be successful at the major league level, though this is a problem that can be solved in time. Vitters is only 22 and is already in Triple-A, so it isn't fair to call him a bust. If he can improve his plate discipline, Vitters will quiet a whole lot of haters.
Even if Vitters meets his offensive potential, he might not have a spot to play at on the diamond. Baez, a much higher prospect and a better overall hitter, also projects to play third base within several years. Another name worth mentioning is Jeimer Candelario, who displays switch hitting ability to go along with power. Candelario is still very young at 18, but he could be an intriguing option if Vitters or Baez do not pan out at the hot corner.
Ian Stewart is currently the third baseman in Chicago, but (God willing) that will not last long. Vitters projects to be playing in Wrigley as early as September of 2012, but the question will be if he can hold down the position. With Baez chomping at the bit to reach the big leagues, Vitters may have a tough time being the third baseman of the future in Chicago. It is bound to be an interesting competition come 2014.
Left/Center/Right Field: Much like at shortstop, the Cubs have an abundance of talent in the outfield. Brett Jackson has lived up to expectations at every stop in the minor leagues so far, and projects to be a five-tool player. With his speed and power, Jackson should have no problem being a 20-20 player soon after getting the call up to Wrigley. The Cubs' other two top outfield prospects, both acquired recently, are quite a bit more intriguing, though.
Cuban defector Jorge Soler is 20 years old and is already being compared to Giancarlo Stanton. His light-tower power could produce gigantic numbers in hitter-friendly Wrigley Field. Baseball Prospectus considers him a plus-plus power hitter, and calls his explosiveness "special". Power is not the only reason he was so highly touted by scouts before singing with the Cubs, though. Soler has a strong and accurate arm, along with good speed. Teams that watched him play were very impressed with his effort and work ethic. If he can continue to develop into what the Cubs think he can, he will take right field in the same fashion that he hits the ball: with force.
There is a big risk involved with Soler, as he is now very wealthy and very young. Recent Cubs draftee Alberto Almora could see himself in a similar position if he elects the Cubs instead of attending The University if Miami, as it has been rumored he will consider college ball. Keith Law considered him the best hitter in the draft, and said that he could end up being the best player taken. There is nothing Almora can't do. Scouts already believe that his defense is major league ready, and with his power and speed, he could be a 30-30 man. A Cubs official was cited as saying the team "loved" what Alberto Almora did in high school, though he and his agent Scott Boras have not signed a contract yet.
A middle of the order consisting of a 20-20 man, a 30-30 man, and light-tower power is enough to strike fear into the heart of even the best pitcher. All three outfielders have very low bust potential, though the Cubs have options if they do. Reggie Golden is very inconsistent, but might be the best athlete in the system. He doesn't do anything consistently well, but can be a dominant hitter when he's streaking. Matt Sczcur projects to be able to hit for average power and contact for an outfielder at the major league level, though he does have plus speed.
By the time the triumvirate of Jackson, Soler and Almora are ready to take the reigns, Soriano's contract will have expired and there should be three vacancies in Chicago. Unlike at shortstop, there are no key players blocking the promotions of any outfielders in the minor league system. It will be interesting to see where Bryan Lahair ends up, as he is projected to be switched from first base to the outfield as soon as Rizzo comes up.
Catcher: If somehow Theo Epstein could give Wellington Castillo the throwing arm of Steve Clevenger, the Cubs may have the perfect catcher. Both could end up being solid players at the major league level, though each has a glaring weakness. Clevenger is among the best in all of baseball at throwing out runners, though up until recently he has never shown much hitting ability. Castillo does what Clevenger can't do, which is crush the ball. Castillo is projected to hit for average and power, but does not have the defensive ability of Clevenger. Castillo is projected as the much higher prospect, though both should remain with the team for at least the next few seasons.
Geovany Soto looked like the catcher of the future for the Cubs in his rookie campaign, but has fallen off a cliff since then. Injuries have kept him off the field, though he hasn't looked like anything special when he has been able to play. Soto does not fit into the Cubs future unless he can drastically turn his game around, and could be dealt at the trade deadline.
Pitcher: 2011 draft choice Dillon Maples projects to be the best pitcher in the Cubs farm, with a hard curve ball and an upper 90's fastball. If he can live up to expectations and be a solid number two starter, the team will have filled a large void.
The verdict is still out on Trey Mcnutt, though he does not figure to ever be the top of the rotation starter that the Cubs need. Other than Maples and Mcnutt, the Cubs are desperate for pitching help. the 2012 draft was a good opportunity for the team to stock up on pitching, and they did. Epstein spent six of the teams first seven selections on pitching, including right hander Pierce Johnson. Still though, the team may look to free agency to upgrade the pitching staff. Over the next several seasons, aces such as Felix Hernandez will be hitting the market and the team will have money to spend. Jeff Samardzija and Matt Garza might still be with the team when they are ready to compete, though Garza could be dealt for prospects at the deadline or during the upcoming off-season.
Not all of these players will still be with the Cubs several years down the road when the team can compete, and a good portion of them will likely never meet expectations. What the management has done, though, is load the farm with low risk, high reward position players. All that is left to do is attract some front of the rotation pitching, and the Cubs will be a force down the road.
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