READY PROSPECTS

There are numerous publications out listing the best baseball prospects and the best team prospects. It is a matter of scouting reports, statistical analysis, and subjective opinion when those lists are created. It takes years before a prospect is signed until a general manager knows whether the player can contribute at the major league level or is a bust.  Just based on the limited number of roster spots on a major league team, the odds are against most minor leaguers getting to the majors. The failure rate is more than 75 percent.

But some prospects are more ready than others to take the final examination. When teams look at their organizational charts, they may have an immediate, short term and long term view of player development. Fans look toward what are you doing for the team now. From that perspective, one can glean how the Cubs view their own talent pool to determine "ready prospects," those players not with a full year in the majors (who would be rookies this season) who are on the protected 40 man roster and those players at AAA Iowa, one step from being promoted to the Cubs. Here is the list of the most ready talent in the Cub system:

Ready Prospects Cubs (* lhp)

40 Man Roster

Beliveau p *

Cabrera A, p

Castillo, L, p

Dolis, p

Gaub, p *

Maine, p *

Mateo, p

Weathers, p

Castillo, W, c

Clevenger, c

Cardenas, in

LaHair, 1b

Lake, ss

Rizzo, 1b

Vitters, 3b

Campana, of

Sappelt, of

Szczur, of

Iowa Cubs (AAA)

Berg, p

Caridad, p

Jackson, J., p

Parker, p

Rusin, p *

Schlitter, p

Smit, p

Struck, p

Smith, M., 3b

Jackson, B, of

Spencer, of