Miscellaneous Prospect Notes: Baez, Hendricks, Olt, Almora, Prospect List, International Signings

javier baez aflIn the post-Trade Deadline window before the offseason – and until the Cubs are actually good in August and September and the playoffs are the story – the winding down of the minor league seasons are always one of the most interesting things going on.

  • To that end, after playing well at High-A, and then playing well (at least in the power department, though the K/BB stuff is trending in the right directions) at AA, is Javier Baez on his way to Chicago this September? No. Jed Hoyer confirmed that in an interview with Waddle and Silvy, suggesting that the 20-year-old shortstop still needs to work on some things before coming up to the Cubs. Presumably, that will include working on some things next year, perhaps starting out at AA again, with an eventual stop at AAA before coming up to the big team. The fact that there’s no need to put him on the 40-man roster yet, however, is probably among the biggest reasons not to call him up in September. Those 40-man spots are going to be precious this Winter, I expect.
  • In the same interview, Hoyer discussed new Cubs third base prospect Mike Olt at length, including the possibility that he – already on the 40-man – could get a look in Chicago in September. He’ll need to turn around his rough season in the next month, though.
  • Pitching prospect Kyle Hendricks – low on the scouting hype, high on the performance – has been tearing up AA all year, and could be poised for a promotion. At his start last night, Tennessee manager Buddy Bailey told Michael Wottreng that a promotion for Hendricks was probably “on the horizon.” Indeed, a cursory review of Hendricks’ Twitter (if that’s really him), suggests his friends and family believe he’s already earned the promotion to AAA Iowa. A few starts there to round out his year would make for a mighty successful season for the polished, control pitcher. (Which is not intended as an insult – after all, the guy is also striking out 7.2 per 9 this year.) If he looks good at Iowa, and continues that success into next year, Hendricks is definitely on your radar for mid-2014. If nothing else, Hendricks is far and away the current favorite to win the organization’s Pitcher of the Year honors.
  • In case you missed it last night, the Cubs officially inked top Dominican prospect Eloy Jimenez to a $2.8 million deal (plus $250,000 for college), thus officially exploding their international signing pool in the extreme. (That may have always been the plan.) Carrie Muskat with a picture of the excited signee (and proud parents, it appears) here.
  • Speaking of the blowing the budget strategy, the Cubs won’t be adding one of the last few remaining top names – Leonardo Molina, who just turned 16 yesterday (thus making him eligible to sign), is signing with the Yankees for $1.4 million. That’s no surprise, as Molina had been linked to the Yankees for a long time – and those arrangements tend to stick.
  • John Sickels looks back on his pre-season top 20 Cubs prospect list, which is worth a read. His conclusion: “As with any rebuilding organization, fans are tired of being told to have patience, but the trend line is clearly positive here. The foundation of a terrific lineup has been laid, the Cubs are certainly aware of the need for more pitching to go with it, and they’ve shown no hesitation at all about spending cash on the farm system, even if it means exceeding their allotted international bonus pool and facing penalties.”
  • A lengthy profile on Albert Almora.
  • Dan Vogelach was named the Cubs’ Player of the Month for July, and Matt Loosen got the Pitcher of the Month honors.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 4, Astros 3 – April 24, 2024

    The Cubs did all their scoring in the first, and made it stand up for the win with generally good pitching and generally good defense. Jameson Taillon looked solid again in his second start, locating well, giving up no barrels,...

    Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

    For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

    Welcome Back to Iowa, Brennen Davis: Rocket Homer in His First Game Post-Rehab

    What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....

    CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List (UPDATES)

    So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: What is it, June 2023?

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...

    Bellinger Optimistic Post-Injury, Busch’s Defense, Almonte Stock Rising, Tauchman Slugging, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Ed. Note: Since this article was published, a CT scan revealed a rib fracture for Cody Bellinger, who is now on the Injured List. You can find all the details of that news in our most recent article right here....

    Cubs Outfield Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong Coming Up

    With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...

    Is Mike Tauchman the Best Player in Baseball? An Exploration

    Hey, we're just having some early-season fun. So allow me to present the 'Mike Tauchman Is Clearly Better Than' list. As of this moment, Mike Tauchman has ... ... a higher wRC+ (151) than Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., and...

    Cubs Farm Report | April 24, 2024: Kevin Alcántara Cannot Miss Right Now

    Name a player hotter than Kevin Alcántara right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. (He's already raking again today. Literally as I type this.) More on Alcántara's big day and the Smokies home run parade last night in today's Cubs Farm...

    Oof: Blake Snell to the Injured List Just Three Horrible Starts into His Giants Career

    Just three starts into his San Francisco Giants career, Blake Snell is heading to the injured list with a left-adductor strain. Oof. You hate to even say it — and who really knows if this was related — but early...

    Latest News

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 4, Astros 3 – April 24, 2024

    The Cubs did all their scoring in the first, and made it stand up for the win with generally good pitching and generally good defense. Jameson Taillon looked solid again in his second start, locating well, giving up no barrels,...

    Mariners vs. Rangers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Seattle Mariners (12-12) visit the Texas Rangers (13-12) at 2:35 PM ET Thursday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Caleb Raleigh has racked up six homers this season (No. 9 in the...

    Padres vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The San Diego Padres (14-13) are favorites (-151) on the moneyline when they square off against the Colorado Rockies (6-19) Thursday at 3:10 PM ET, live on SDPA.Randy Vasquez takes the mound for San Diego while Dakota Hudson is Colorado's...

    Dodgers vs. Nationals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (15-11) have an opportunity to add to their three-game winning streak as they visit the Washington Nationals (10-13) at Nationals Park on Thursday at 4:05 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Dodgers will...

    Royals vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Toronto Blue Jays (13-12) are the underdogs on the moneyline (+100) in Thursday's contest against the Kansas City Royals (15-10). The game starts at 2:10 PM ET on SNET. The Blue Jays are favored against the spread in this...

    Astros vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    Two of the league's top power hitters meet Thursday when the Houston Astros (7-18) and Chicago Cubs (15-9) take the field at 2:20 PM ET, live on SCHN. Jose Altuve has six home runs for the Astros (-127 favorites on...

    Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 25, 2024

    The Boston Red Sox versus the Cleveland Guardians is a game to see on a Thursday MLB schedule that features 10 competitive contests.There are typically plenty of MLB player prop bets available for each and every matchup. Scroll down to...

    Padres vs. Rockies Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

    The San Diego Padres (14-13) play on the road against the Colorado Rockies (6-19) on Thursday. The matchup is set to begin at 3:10 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Padres will send Randy Vasquez (0-1) to...

    Brewers vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Milwaukee Brewers (15-8) are set to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-12) Thursday at 12:35 PM ET, airing on BSWI. The Brewers are listed as -126 favorites by sportsbooks, while the underdog Pirates have +105 odds for the contest.Freddy...

    Twins vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Chicago White Sox (3-21 look to avoid the sweep when they visit the Minnesota Twins (10-13) in the final game of a four-game set. Oddsmakers have listed the Twins as -252 favorites, while the White Sox are +206 underdogs...

    more cubs news