Official Minor League News Thread

[lcomitor1]

We may have all but forgotten about Josh Vitters, but with the arrival of Anthony Rizzo, we've been paying a little more attention to the Iowa Cubs. He's been impressing as of late, and could be on the right track to moving up in the future. Read more here:

http://midwaymadness.com/2012/06/has-vi ... -a-corner/

[lcomitor1]

We know Brett Jackson is nowhere near ready for the kind of call-up that Anthony Rizzo garnered. What's more is that he is faltering a bit, perhaps under pressure to impress management. There is no rush to call him up, and Theo and Hoyer should take note. Read more here:

http://midwaymadness.com/2012/06/brett- ... l-up-date/

[Posey H8er]

Carrie Muskat ‏@CarrieMuskat
OF for #Cubs Mesa Rookie League team tonight is Shawon Dunston Jr., Albert Almora (pro debut) and Jorge Soler.

what a fascinating outfield right there

[karch34]

Carrie Muskat ‏@CarrieMuskat
OF for #Cubs Mesa Rookie League team tonight is Shawon Dunston Jr., Albert Almora (pro debut) and Jorge Soler.

what a fascinating outfield right there

I'd have loved to see that game. The S from the WJS on #12's batting helmet and our first two "phenoms" from the Theo era.

[Posey H8er]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GebJl7E2jw&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

[lcomitor1]

The Cubs have used the most rookie pitchers in the NL this season, but will any of them turn out to be any good? I analyze the rookie starters, including Brooks Raley and Chris Rusin, the relievers who have come up from Triple-A Iowa, and a few new additions. Check it out here:

http://midwaymadness.com/2012/08/cubs-l ... -pitchers/

[Air Poohdini]

We've just received Barret Loux from the Rangers for a catcher that they drafted which we received in the trade for Geovany Soto. He's also a 1st round draft pick so that's not bad either.

[GYBE]

We're #5 on Keith Law's organizational rankings of farm systems. Behind St. Louis, Minnesota, Tampa and Houston. I've never seen the Cubs system ranked so high.

On his top 100 players:

31. Baez
33. Almora
42. Soler
64. Vizcaino

Candelario made the "Next 10" list.

[GYBE]

Tonight Soler took a bat and went after an opposing player, swinging it around the dugout area. So that's uh, interesting.

[Air Poohdini]

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/9158972/chicago-cubs-prospect-jorge-soler-tossed-bat-wielding-incident

This is about the Jorge Soler incident, according to his account the opposing player said something about his family. Personally I think he needs to keep his head in the game and keep his emotions in check.

[Posey H8er]

Looks like Albert Almora is heading to Kane County (via his own twitter). Good news you live in the Chicago area.

[Posey H8er]

Your potential 2016 starting lineup-

1. CF Almora
2. SS Castro
3. 1B Rizzo
4. RF Bryant
5. LF Soler
6. 3B Baez
7. C Castillo
8. 2B someone...
9. Pitcher

LOTS of talent there... it will be very interesting to see how the Cubs develop pitching over the next few years. Our farm system has gone from mediocre to strong but starting pitching is its weak point. The deadline this year could be huge for this team going forward. Soriano, Garza, etc. Point is we'll be sellers.

[Posey H8er]

Javier Baez hit FOUR home runs tonight for Daytona

[Air Poohdini]

Ian Stewart's time with this organization will be coming to an end soon.

[Posey H8er]

the Baseball Prospectus' mid-season top 50 was released
http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2 ... cn5A5zNnq0

Albert Almora (15), Javier Baez (17) and Jorge Soler (31) were each ranked among the best prospects in the game and Parks indicated that if Kris Bryant would have signed in time that he would have been included in the list as well.

[GYBE]

Baseball America Midseason list

Rank Player Pos. Team
1 Byron Buxton of Twins
No. 1 talent in last year’s draft is even better than expected with power, speed, defense and an extremely advanced hitting approach
2 Oscar Taveras of Cardinals
Has been limited by an ankle injury, but power, hitting ability still evident.
3 Miguel Sano 3b Twins
Best power in the minors, one of the best arms. Hitting ability has taken a step forward.
4 Xander Bogaerts ss Red Sox
Of an impressive group of shortstop prospects, Bogaerts has best combo of hit and power tools.
5 Francisco Lindor ss Indians
Smooth-swinging switch-hitter has plenty of range and soft hands at shortstop.
6 Archie Bradley rhp Diamondbacks
Bundy-Bradley debate continues. Bundy won ‘12, Bradley is going to win ‘13 and ‘14 by default.
7 Taijuan Walker rhp Mariners
Scout: “He could pitch in the big leagues right now.” Improved control is remaining to-do item.
8 Christian Yelich of Marlins
Injuries have ruined his first half of the season, but they haven’t screwed up his excellent swing.
9 Carlos Correa ss Astros
Correa doesn’t run all that well, but he does everything else you’d look for in a shortstop.
10 Javier Baez ss Cubs
Earlier this year became second Florida State Leaguer to hit four home runs in one game.
11 Jameson Taillon rhp Pirates
Arrival of Gerrit Cole gives Pirates one future frontline starter, Taillon isn’t far behind.
12 Michael Wacha rhp Cardinals
In a thinner organization, he’d have made more than three big league starts this year.
13 Gregory Polanco of Pirates
When Polanco joines Pirates outfield, club will field three legitimate center fielders.
14 Tyler Skaggs lhp Diamondbacks
Pitching in Reno skews his stats, but has posted 2.62 ERA away from Reno this year.
15 Nick Castellanos of Tigers
Took a month to adjust to Triple-A. Since May 1, .321 AVG, 8 HR, 33 BBs, 35 Ks.
16 Albert Almora of Cubs
Missed first month with hamate injury, but has made up for lost time since returning.
17 Dylan Bundy rhp Orioles
Tommy John surgery is a significant setback, but teams would still love to have him.
18 Jorge Soler of Cubs
Will miss two months with stress fracture, but talent is too good to ignore.
19 Addison Russell ss Athletics
Slow start behind him, Russell has caught up to the Cal League, will soon surpass it.
20 George Springer of Astros
He gets caught on his front foot at times, but his power and speed are worth some strikeouts.
21 Jackie Bradley of Red Sox
Ceiling is lower than some lower on this list, but he’s a safe bet to be an long-time everyday center fielder.
22 Jonathan Singleton 1b Astros
Returned from suspension to immediately reclaim status as top first base prospect in a thin class.
23 Noah Syndergaard rhp Mets
Improved breaking ball has made his mid-90s fastball an even deadlier weapon.
24 Carlos Martinez rhp Cardinals
Either going to be a future closer or a solid middle of rotation starter with plus stuff.
25 Travis D’Arnaud c Mets
When healthy, he’s top catching prospect in minors, but healthy months are few and far between.
26 Yordano Ventura rhp Royals
With an improved curveball and an average changeup to go with a 100-mph fastball, isn’t far from big leagues.
27 Robert Stephenson rhp Reds
Not many starting pitchers can touch 100 mph consistently, especially with potential plus secondary stuff.
28 Kyle Zimmer rhp Royals
Results have generally been awful, but his stuff is just as good as it was when he was drafted last year.
29 Taylor Guerrieri rhp Rays
Rays move pitching prospects slowly, but Guerrieri’s 1.70 career ERA shows it’s working for him.
30 Austin Hedges c Padres
Not far away from claiming title of best catching prospect away from injured D’Arnaud.
31 Mike Foltyniewicz rhp Astros
Fastball sat at 91-94 mph when he was drafted; now he touched 100 mph regularly.
32 Alex Meyer rhp Twins
His acquisition helped fill Twins’ most desperate need–nearly big league ready power pitching.
33 Andrew Heaney lhp Marlins
On strict pitch counts as he comes back from strained lat, but has dominated in short stints.
34 Gary Sanchez c Yankees
Reports are more optimistic that he could stay behind the plate long-term.
35 Joc Pederson of Dodgers
Overshadowed by Yasiel Puig’s breakout year, but Pederson too can hit, hit for power, field and run.
36 Billy Hamilton of Reds
Move to outfield has gone well, has best speed in baseball, but his lefthanded swing still needs work.
37 Anthony Ranaudo rhp Red Sox
If not for his track record of injuries/ineffectiveness, he’d rate even higher.
38 Danny Hultzen lhp Mariners
Stint on disabled list with rotator cuff strain has opposing scouts concerned, but solid in first start back.
39 Alen Hanson ss Pirates
Might end up as a second baseman long term, but he hits enough that such a move won’t be a problem.
40 Max Fried lhp Padres
As you would expect from young flame-throwing lefty, has shown flashes of brilliance around bouts of wildness.
41 Garin Cecchini 3b Red Sox
One of the breakout stars of 2013 ranks second in minors in on-base percentage.
42 Aaron Sanchez rhp Blue Jays
Has missed a month with a shoulder injury, but was throwing in mid-90s in his return from the DL.
43 Jesse Biddle lhp Phillies
Had one of best outings of year with 16 Ks against Harrisburg in April, but his control frequently wavers.
44 Mike Olt 3b Rangers
Vision problems ruined his April, but since his return he’s back to being a low-average, big power third baseman.
45 Rafael De Paula rhp Yankees
Long-awaited U.S. debut has gone as expected for De Paula who is moving quickly through minors.
46 Lance McCullers rhp Astros
His changeup has a long ways to go, but few pitchers in minors can match his fastball/breaking ball combo.
47 Kolten Wong 2b Cardinals
Not flashy, but a safe bet to have a lengthy big league career as a solid all-around second baseman.
48 Adam Eaton of Diamondbacks
Big league arrival has been delayed by elbow injury, but Diamondbacks could use him now.
49 Kyle Crick rhp Giants
Another injured pitcher who has recently returned to the mound, Crick is next in Giants’ long line of power arms.
50 Adalberto Mondesi ss Royals
Has survived Sally League as a 17-year-old shortstop while hitting for cycle and homering twice in one game.

Could be 4 top 20 bats including Bryant.

[GYBE]

Also since I didn't see it mentioned, Baez is in Tennessee now.

[GYBE]

Kris Bryant signed.

[Air Poohdini]

Elroy Jimenez, signed.

[ThisGuyFawkes]

So how many of the top international prospects have we signed this season? It seems like it should be around 3-4. Any confirmation on that?