Although it may seem like the Cubs don’t actually have any prospects left in the minors – what with the recent promotions of Willson Contreras and Albert Almora – there are actually still games being played and teams being fielded by members of the Cubs organization.
Some of them aren’t half bad!
I kid, of course, because despite player after player making their way to Chicago, the Cubs system is still loaded with talent and that talent is still making plenty of noise.
[adinserter block=”1″]
With Willson Contreras in Chicago (working his way towards expiring his prospect status), the Cubs top prospect spot might soon be due for a shakeup. Among the candidates likely to take over that spot is 2015 first round pick Ian Happ. It just so happens that Happ was recently named the Carolina League Player of the Week (June 13-19), for the second time this season. He won the award on the strength of a 13-25 performance, including six doubles, a triple, a homer and six RBI. Happ is now hitting .296/.410/.475 on the season and will represent the Pelicans in Tuesday’s California-Carolina League All-Star Game in California.
But that wasn’t the only recognition Happ received for his big week at the plate. In addition to Player of the Week honors, Happ was also named to the Prospect Team of the Week, by MLB Pipeline. Joining Happ in the distinction is left fielder Mark Zagunis who hit a laughable .440/.533/.720 over that stretch, including five doubles and a triple in just seven games. Zagunis recently moved up to Triple-A Iowa, but has faced no difficulty so far in the transition. In his 54 plate appearances at Triple-A this season, Zagunis has slashed .348/.426/.543 (.423 wOBA) with an excellent 13.0% walk rate and 18.5% strikeout rate.
Zagunis wasn’t the only Smokie to make his way up to Iowa recently as teammate Jeimer Candelario joined him in the promotion. At the Des Moines Register, Tommy Birch writes about Candelario, his recent performance and how he’s the next top prospect to hit the I-Cubs roster. A third baseman by trade, Candelario is slightly blocked at the major league level (be it by Kris Bryant, Javy Baez or someone else). But with that in mind, I-Cubs manager Marty Pevey is finding creative ways to use him, specifically, at first base. He may be blocked by Rizzo there, of course, but increasing his versatility can help him get into games on an everyday basis (look at Baez and the number of starts/games he’s drawn). Candelario remains a wholly exciting prospect, and increasingly his versatility will make him even more so.
[adinserter block=”2″]
The Cubs’ first pick in the 2016 draft, Thomas Hatch, may have come from the third round, but he’s continued to produce results like a first rounder. On Saturday, for example, he threw his nation-leading fourth shutout of the season, in the College World Series. He retired 22 out of the last 25 batters he faced and has allowed no runs in the NCAA tournament through 23 innings pitched. For a good roundup of the start (including some video of his performance), check out Mitch Sherman’s write-up on ESPN. And remember, Hatch was better thought of before an elbow injury knocked him off the mound and the radar in 2015, but he’s come back strong in 2016 after rehabbing, earning Big 12 pitcher of the year honors. He may not be a traditional first pick in the draft, but he appears to have plenty of exciting upside tucked away in that arm.
At Baseball America, Ben Badler (and the staff) takes on a Prospect chat, featuring plenty of good bits. Among the most notable Cubs related part was Badler’s take on recent big money Mexican signing Jose Albertos. According to Badler, the reports on Albertos out of extended spring training (Bill Mitchell) have been great, he has a great feel for pitching, and even better stuff that continues to improve. At 17 years old, he’s a bit far away from the Major Leagues, but might be a name to watch in the coming years.
At CSN Chicago, Patrick Mooney writes about Brady Aiken – the pitcher that tempted the Cubs in two consecutive drafts, whom they ultimately passed on in 2015 for Ian Happ – and where he’s at in his career vis a vis, Happ. At the moment, it looks a lot like brilliance (or luck) that the Cubs went with Kyle Schwarber in 2014 and Ian Happ in 2015 instead of Aiken (though they didn’t have the option in ’14), but that could eventually change as Aiken continues to work in extended Spring Training. It’s a really interesting read, with a lot of thoughts from Cubs amateur scouting director Matt Dorey. Rarely are you given so much insight on the Cubs thought process. This one is well worth your read.
[adinserter block=”3″]
[Brett:Â A long FanGraphs look at the top pitcher in the draft according to the KATOH system … Cubs 10th rounder Dakota Mekkes. It’s a fun read on how a guy like that falls all the way to the 10th round, but I think there’s one aspect that probably should have also been discussed: Mekkes is a redshirt sophomore, which means he has quite a bit of leverage in signing. If he didn’t go early enough, and doesn’t get a huge bonus offer, he can go back to school knowing that he’ll be only a junior (rather than a leverage-less senior). Players like that tend to go after the 10th round, because then the team that fails to sign him doesn’t lose pool space. The Cubs probably figured Mekkes would go in the 11th round – maybe even right away – so they pulled the trigger. If the Cubs fail to sign him, they’ll lose $156,600 from their pool. Worth the risk to try and get a talent like this. But Mekkes is the guy you’ll want to keep an eye on whether the Cubs can save enough pool money elsewhere to sign.]
Pedro Araujo, a 22 year old Cubs reliever for the SB Cubs, has continued to put up huge numbers this year in South Bend (0.53 ERA), after putting up equally excellent (although more realistic) numbers in 2015 (2.68 ERA over 50.1 IP) and 2014 (1.98 ERA over 36.1 IP). He’s already recorded 20 strikeouts in his 17 innings, against just 4 walks, and has kept opposing batters to just a .107 average all season. Given his age and his increasingly impressive performance, Araujo might be a candidate for promotion mid-season. Keep him on your radar.
Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL.
In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy.
You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami
CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs won again last night, which means they've already won the season-series against the still-struggling Astros. Justin Verlander will be on the bump for today's finale, but he'll have to go up against the mighty Javier...
It's a pretty big day for the Chicago Bears, eh? For the second year in a row, they own the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Only this time, they actually plan to use it (and on a quarterback,...
That's a geographic mouthful right there, and it underscores what an interesting signing this is. Stray signings throughout the year are not uncommon, particularly as injuries accumulate down on the farm and the Chicago Cubs have the ability to take...
Once a month since August of 2016, my friends and I get together for "Supper Club." It's like book club, but instead of reading books, we go to a different restaurant in the city. Last night, we hit our 77th...
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,...
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,...
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....
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...
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...
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....
The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2024 offseason with the familiar feeling of championship aspirations. Dak Prescott is healthy, the skill positions are loaded, but the offensive line, once a strength, is in flux. With the 24th overall pick in the...
With the invigorating spirit of a new baseball season upon us, igniting hope and anticipation within fan communities, it's the perfect time to embark on a unique exploration: a 2024 MLB Mock Draft. Numerous mock drafts meticulously analyze potential player...
The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks are playing in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs, with Game 3 up next.The Knicks beat the 76ers 104-101 on Monday when they last met. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks in the...
At 7:00 PM ET on Thursday, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Orlando Magic, with Donovan Mitchell needing four trifectas to beat his 3-pointer over/under.Donovan Mitchell's Three-Pointer Prop...
On Thursday at 7:00 PM ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers play the Orlando Magic in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and Caris LeVert's 3-pointer over/under for this matchup requires just one trey.Caris LeVert's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...
To beat his 3-point prop, Josh Hart needs to make two from downtown on Thursday, when his New York Knicks meet the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, tipping off at 7:30 PM...
The New York Knicks face the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Knicks' Jalen Brunson drains three 3-pointers, he'll beat his over/under.Jalen Brunson's Three-Pointer...
To beat his 3-point over/under, Donte DiVincenzo needs to make four from downtown on Thursday, when his New York Knicks play the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, beginning at 7:30 PM ET.Donte...
To beat his 3-point prop, Joel Embiid needs to make two from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Philadelphia 76ers meet the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, starting at 7:30...
The Philadelphia 76ers play the New York Knicks at 7:30 PM ET on Thursday, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires four trifectas from Tyrese...
NEWSLETTER
