Top Chicago Cubs prospect Josh Vitters is being promoted to High A Daytona, which should be a challenge for the 19 year old. But since he handled the pitching in Peoria with ease this year – OPS approaching .900 – it will be welcomed. Nobody doubts Vitters will have the stick to make his way through to the Major Leagues in another couple of years, but his glove at third base is another story.
Word is that 2008 number one pick and near-the-top-but-not-quite-top-top pitching prospect Andrew Cashner will be promoted from High A Daytona to AA Tennessee. Cashner, 22, has excelled so far this year with an ERA well under 2.00, but has thrown very few innings – barely three innings per start. It is hard to know at this point if that’s a product of his development or a product of the oblique injury that sidelined him early this year. The Cubs continue to suggest they’d like to stretch him out and see if he can start, but it is also possible they are simply starting him in the minors to ensure he gets a maximum number of pitches against the other team’s best lineup. His future is almost certainly in the pen.