1. Anthony Rizzo-1B (AAA)- 156 AB .346/.414/.692 14 HR 27 R 39 RBI 2 SB
The Dude definitely looks like he is major league ready. He is hitting for contact and power the only concern still is strikeouts but we already know that. The word from the front office is that they are already working on figuring out ways to get his bat in the major league lineup. This could be as soon as the June 8-10 series in Minnesota where they could move LaHair to DH and eventually move him to RF and play Dejesus in CF. So it looks like we will be seeing this kid play very soon.
2. Brett Jackson-OF (AAA)- 153 AB .235/.333/.444 4 HR 25 R 13 RBI 7 SB
He has scuffled a bit to start the season and it mostly has to do with his strikeouts. He has already struck out 54 times in 153 AB while also walking at a steady clip of 21 BB. The talent is there he just needs to figure out how to make better contact. I doubt that we will see him any sooner than a September call up unless he drastically turns it around at the plate.
3. Javier Baez-SS (SS)- N/A
He has been playing at extended spring training and will start the year at Short Season Boise. I have heard good stuff about his performance at Extended Spring Training but he is a long way away from the Big Leagues.
4. Matt Szczur- OF (A+)- 147 AB .265/.359/.395 1 HR 37 R 9 RBI 18 SB
He struggled out the gate but has really heated up recently hitting .343 over his past 10 games. He is a solid CF prospect who is on the rise and if he continues to hit well will likely make it to AA before the end of the season. He is still a year or two away from the big leagues but is still looking like a good prospect.
5. Reggie Golden- OF (A)- 26 AB .192/.250/.192 0 HR 1 R 0 RBI 1 SB
He was struggling and then went on the disabled list so he really isnt any closer to the big leagues. A very raw prospect that is a while away from the big leagues.
6. Junior Lake-SS (AA)- 49 AB .265/.379/.449 1 HR 7 R 4 RBI 3 SB
He started the season on the disabled list but since coming off has played pretty well. He has shown some plate discipline drawing 9 BB against 10 K which has tended to be an area of weakness for him. If he continues to play well he could make it up to AAA and possibly a September call up as the Cubs have shown a willingness to call guys straight up from AA. I think he is about a year away from contending for a big league roster spot.
7. Josh Vitters- 3B (AAA)- 137 AB .248/.293/.394 4 HR 19 R 18 RBI 1 SB
He has played OK to start the season but has not really shown an improvement in his plate discipline which is what is holding him back. So far in his career it seems to take about a season to adjust to each league he plays in before he hits well so look for a breakout in the 2013 season and a potential call up then. He could still get called up this season depending on injuries and if Ian Stewart continues to struggle at the plate.
8. Ronald Torreyes- 2B (A+)- 117 AB .162/.229/.222 0 HR 11 R 5 RBI 4 SB
Acquired from the Reds in the Sean Marshall deal he has really struggled to start the season. He has drawn comparisons to Houston Astros 2B Jose Altuve but has not lived up to those comparisons this season. He is still very far away from the majors at this point.
9. Dan Vogelbach- 1B (SS)- N/A
Another member of the Cubs heralded 2011 draft class, he is also playing at extended spring training. He will start the season at Short Season Boise and is also a long way away from the big leagues.
10. Jeimer Candelario- 3B (SS)- N/A
An international free agent who will make his big league debut this season. Last I heard he was still playing in extended spring training and will likely start his career at Short Season Boise. Yet another player who is a long way from making it to the big leagues.
SUMMARY-
So when looking at this list it really gives you the impression that the Cubs are a long way off from having a good offense made up of players from within the system. While that is somewhat true I think the combination of Rizzo, Jackson, Lake and Vitters could be a very successful group of ballplayers. Rizzo being the good middle of the order bat, Jackson could be a potentially good 2 hole hitter who hits for power and speed, Lake being an intriguing power speed combo that could play at 2B, SS, or 3B and Vitters who has a great swing but just needs to find some plate discipline. I am very excited to see how these players evolve and also am excited to see how the first draft under Jed and Theo plays out in the next few weeks.
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