Yesterday, the Chicago Cubs announced the promotion of four of the organization’s best prospects: Brett Jackson, Rafael Dolis, Trey McNutt, and Ty Wright.
The Cubs promoted outfielder Brett Jackson, the team’s 2009 No. 1 Draft pick, from Class A Daytona to Double-A Tennessee on Sunday.
Jackson, who will play for the U.S. Team in next month’s All-Star Futures Game, was batting .316 in 67 games with 19 doubles, eight triples, six homers and 38 RBIs.
Also promoted on Sunday from Daytona to Tennessee was right-hander pitcher Rafael Dolis, who was 4-5 with a 2.92 ERA in 14 games (13 starts). He had struck out 48 over 71 innings.
Trey McNutt, a right-handed pitcher who was 6-0 with a 1.51 ERA in 13 starts, was moved up from Class A Peoria to Daytona. McNutt struck out 70 over 59 2/3 innings. In his last start June 16 against Burlington, he gave up one run over five scoreless innings.
Ty Wright, who had 51 RBIs in 73 games, also was promoted, moving up from Tennessee to Triple-A Iowa. He was batting .289 with 21 doubles and 10 homers. cubs.com.
Jackson is obviously the best known of the group, having been the team’s first round pick last year, but the organization is very high on Dolis, who may have the best stuff in the system (though he isn’t getting the strikeouts this year to back that up). And McNutt has been described by those who follow prospects as very legit.
As for Jackson, he continues to play excellent defense in center field, and he leaves behind an incredible .316/.420/.517 line at High A Daytona (a league notoriously rough on players’ power numbers), and he’s not yet 22. With an aggressive promotion schedule and continued success, we could see him in Chicago as soon as mid-season next year.