Cubs Minor League Baseball Blog

Kevin Goldstein released his list of the top eleven Cubs prospects and it’s an interesting one.  Topping the list is outfielder Brett Jackson, the Cubs first round pick in 2009 and the only five star prospect.  Jackson split time between Double-A and Triple-A and while he’ll probably start the season back in Iowa, there’s a good chance that Jackson will be with the Cubs before the end of the first half.

Number two and the lone four star prospect is shortstop Javier Baez.  The Cubs first round pick in 2011, Baez played in only five minor league games and he doesn’t turn 19 until December 1.  He’ll play for Peoria next year and he’s well away from his big league debut but this is a guy worth watching.

Wellington Castillo (C), Dillon Maples (RHP) and Mat Szczur (OF) round out the top five.  Castillo is close to big league ready and he could be the backup catcher in 2012.

Playing in the PCL makes it tough for pitchers.  Throw in the fact that the Cubs really don’t have top notch pitching prospects and it makes for some interesting numbers when you mention “stars.”  Still, here were the better pitchers on the team.

Ramon Ortiz – One of the better starters, Ortiz had 16 starts for the Cubs before heading to the big league club. Of course Ortiz is a veteran and no longer a prospect, he did put up some decent numbers in 2011.  He had 81 strikeouts in 99 1/3 innings and his 4.26 ERA was one of the best amongst the pitchers with as many innings as he had.  Ortiz is a journeyman though so we’ll see where he ended up in 2012.

Robert Coello – Coello had an impressive 94 strikeouts in 95 innings but he also had 41 walks and a subpar 1.33 WHIP.  He split his time between the pen and the rotation and his fly ball rate is an issue.

Blake Parker – Probably the best reliever for the Cubs, he struck out 60 hitters in 51 1/3 innings and his 2.81 ERA was one of the best on the team.  He did split time between Triple A and Double A and he actually pitched better for Iowa last year.

Here’s Baseball America’s Top Ten Prospect List

1)  Brett Jackson OF
2)  Javier Baez  SS
3)  Matt Szczur OF
4)  Trey McNutt RHP
5)  Dillon Maples RHP
6)  Welligton Castillo C
7)  Rafael Dolis RHP
8)  Junior Lake
9)  Josh Vitters 3b/1b
10)  Dan Vogelbach 1b

Iowa plays in the PCL so the numbers can get a little inflated. Still, the Cubs had their share of hitting stars in 2011.  Here’s a look at some of the Cubs better hitters in 2011.

Bryan Lahair – Lahair racked all season and this even translated into a decent stint for the big league club.  He led the team in home runs (38), RBIs (109) and runs (91).  He finished with a 1.070 OPS and that included 60 walks.

Lou Montanez – Montanez had a solid season and he hit .321 and he finished with a team high seven triples.  His 164 total bases were second on the team and he had a really nice 47/38 strikeout to walk ratio.

Scott Moore – Moore finished with an OPS of .823 and like Lahair, he’s a career minor leaguer.  He hit .295 and scored 60 runs in a solid season.  I also like the 48 walks and that helped him with a really nice .380 OBP.  With Ramirez on his way out, Moore might see some time at third base with the Cubs.