There is much mid-winter filler stories about who are the best prospects on each major league team. A prospect is someone who is likely to succeed - - - which means in base major league teams, make it to the big show one day. Casey Coleman made it to the show, so he was technically a successful prospect, even though he was a dreadful major league pitcher.
Many fans take the word "prospect" and equate it to being an "above average" to star player in the future. It is all speculation, based upon raw talent, fundamentals, the desire to work at one's craft, luck and health.
So who are the consensus top Cub prospects?
1. Dan Vogelbach. The former overweight high school first baseman can really hit with power. He has to be the best slugger in the organization. When he hits a ball, he crushes it. Scouts think he may turn into a DH. If he can continue to hit with massive power, this prospect has ALL STAR potential.
2. Arodys Vizcaino. The former Brave has made it to the big leagues. But Tommy John injury derailed his progress. He had electric stuff, but now the worrisome health issues may damper his career. But as a veteran prospect, he could be a STAR, a solid number 2 starter if healthy.
3. Javier Baez. This Class A shortstop has vowed the scouts with his five tool abilities. He has hit well at each level of his development in the low minors. Starlin Castro is the Cubs shortstop keystone in the rebuilding of the team, so in some respects Baez may be blocked when he would be ready to be promoted to the major league roster in 2015. But you make room for a player with STAR potential.
4. Junior Lake. He may be the second best consistent slugger in the organization. He is also a shortstop, but may beef up to play third base or a corner outfield spot. The concerns are his batting eye and defense. He needs to continue to improve basic skills If so, he projects to be a major league STARTER.
5. He needs to continue to improve basic skills If so, he projects to be a major league STARTER.
6. Jorge Soler. The big international free agent signing from Cuba. He hit near .300 in Rookie-A ball with a good OPS. He still has raw talent that needs to be developed so with such a scant track record to date, he still projects as a prospect that will make the majors: most likely as a STARTER.
7. Brett Jackson. He is a veteran prospect who has a problem: strikeouts. His short debut with the Cubs last season has caused him to start the season at AAA Iowa. Scouts say he has the tools, and he is working to change his mechanics. At this point, scouts think it could be a classic hit or miss type career as a AAAA/BENCH player.
8. Josh Vitters. He is also a veteran prospect who has been in the Cubs system for forever. But he is still young, and all the scouts believe he can hit major league pitching. His defense at third is also not the best. In his debut, he did slightly worse than the poor Jackson showing. People are clearly on the fence with Vitters. The prospect may turn into a classic AAAA talent.
9. Matt Szczur. He is an outfielder who some above average skills (defense and speed), but no power. He would project to be at best a CF, bottom of the order guy. From a fan's prospect perspective, he could be projected as a substitute for Sappelt or Campana as a BENCH quality player.
10. Albert Almora. This high school outfielder is only 18. He hit near .300 in rookie low A ball, but his OPS was not high. He also lacked any power stats. The Cubs selected him with the Number One pick so they believe he has the potential to be a star player. One would expect a star player to project bigger numbers in the low minors. He will really have to hone his skills and substantially increase his batting skills (average, runs batted in, walks) in order to become a true major league starter. But he has time. At this point, he may succeed to a major league team in 2016, but his role could be that of a BENCH player.
