Feel free to check out the links above for more detail; I’ll be hitting on the highlights with some of my own thoughts below.
[adinserter block=”1″]
First, let’s take a look at one of those 30 Clubs in 30 Days videos. This one features MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis reviewing the Cubs system as a whole, before getting into a few names in particular (Albert Almora, Eloy Jimenez, Jose Albertos):
Your browser does not support iframes.
If you can’t watch the video right now, Callis first discusses how Almora’s biggest contributions will come on defense, but that he may still add value with his bat. After that, he gushes over Jimenez (like everyone does), and adds that he’s not just a slugger – he’s a guy that can hit for average and power … if the Cubs can find a way to get him into the lineup. And finally, Callis closes by suggesting that the Cubs have one of the “most intriguing prospects in baseball” in pitcher Jose Albertos. It’s a quick video, so give it a watch.
[adinserter block=”2″]
A few weeks ago, Jason McLeod went on 670 The Score to discuss a number of topics, including the proverbial “loosening of the reins” on starting pitcher prospect Dylan Cease:
Cubs VP of Scouting and Player Development Jason McLeod on starting pitcher Dylan Cease (@670TheScore): "The reins are off." Oh baby.
And at the Chicago Sun Times, Gordon Wittenmyer explored those comments further. Discussing the prospect McLeod has labeled “unlike anyone that we’ve had in our system since we’ve been here,” Wittenmyer writes that the Cubs really are going to let Cease get a full season in this year, with his 100ish MPH fastball in tow and the singular goal of making all of his starts. When you read the way the prospectors of the organization talk about Cease, it’s hard not to get excited. He’s the first pitching prospect the Cubs have had in a very long time with the upside of some of their biggest positional prospects – which is saying A LOT.
[adinserter block=”3″]
Of course, the funny thing about any of these Cubs prospects – well, on the positional side – is where the heck are they going to play? At ESPN, Jesse Rogers writes that the Cubs’ talented roster might be something of a road block for Chicago’s prospects. Although Ian Happ, Chesny Young, and Mark Zagunis all come in for quotes and discussion, it is Jeimer Candelario who may be getting the biggest shaft by the Cubs’ talent, given his big league ready bat, but not so versatile defense. Still, as a switch-hitting offensive threat who could play in the corners of the infield (and probably soon-to-be-outfield, if I had to wildly speculate), I wouldn’t be surprised to see Candelario on the Cubs bench sooner rather than later. Beyond that, however, his opportunities may be limited.
Because here’s the thing, even if the Cubs suffer an injury at literally any position on the diamond, the versatility of Ben Zobrist, Jason Heyward, Kris Bryant, and Kyle Schwarber, etc., plus the existence and versatility of Javy Baez, will keep a long-term role from opening up any time soon. There’s just no room – which is great.
Arizona Phil has your 2017 Minor League Camp write-up, where he discusses prospects Zach Davis, Eddy Julio Martinez, and many others. Martinez, however, is one of the prospects I’m most interested in following this year, given his uneven reviews, but apparently solid upside. Unfortunately, Arizona Phil is reporting that he felt discomfort in his right elbow and was shut down as a precaution. Hopefully in a few months, this will be something we’ve completely forgotten about.
And finally, at MiLB.com is ranking the various farm systems according solely to prospects that will be 21 years or younger by Opening Day. The Chicago Cubs come in at number 12 overall, on the strength of their arms: Dylan Cease, Trevor Clifton, Jose Albertos, and Jose Paulino. Of course, Eloy Jimenez, the Cubs top prospect (#13 overall to Pipeline) helps carry them to this height. The St. Louis Cardinals (23rd), Milwaukee Brewers (20th), Cincinnati Reds (18th), and Pittsburgh Pirates (5th) round out the rest of the NL Central. By this measure, the Chicago Cubs figure to be well sustained for years to come.
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
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....
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,...
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...
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...
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...
In 1997, I was a miserable Chicago Cubs fan. I mean, that was true a lot of the time, but I mean it in a very specific way that year: the Cubs had started the season 0-14. They had literally...
Cubs rookie starter Jordan Wicks has been impressing us all season long with his apparent offseason transformation (which led to more velocity on his heater and movement on his slider). But last night against the Astros? That was a whole...
On Wednesday, the St. Louis Cardinals announced that infielder José Fermín and LHP John King would be coming to join the big league squad in place of LHP Zack Thompson and ... uber outfield prospect Jordan Walker. You just hate...
The fleur-de-lis flags are flying, and the beignets are hot! The 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans tees off this Thursday, bringing back the PGA Tour's electrifying two-man team format. TPC Louisiana is set to be buzzing with a unique...
The new face of the Chicago Sky franchise officially arrived on Wednesday. Angel Reese met with media members at the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield. The former LSU standout and NCAA National Champion is only nine days removed from hearing...
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,...
On Wednesday at 9:30 PM ET, the New Orleans Pelicans meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and Jonas Valančiūnas' 3-pointer prop for this clash requires just one trifecta.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer...
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...
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes is hard at work today! It's fitting that just a day before the 2024 NFL Draft kicks off in Detroit, the Lions have locked up two franchise, homegrown cornerstones just hours apart. This morning,...
When you finish with the worst record in the NHL, it's hard to keep your job. Even when the front office strips your roster to the bare bones, apparently. And on Wednesday, David Quinn found out the San Jose Sharks...
While the NBA offseason will not officially start until June, it still can't hurt to familiarize ourselves with the Chicago Bulls' summer outlook. The organization finds itself at quite the crossroads, and it's not only because they disappointed fans with...
The Chicago Bears unveiled plans for their downtown lakefront stadium proposal on Wednesday. And as you might expect, it is very kind on the eyes: https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1783185834490888461 The Bears even gave the project a code name — The Burnham Park Project: The...
CJ McCollum needs to make four 3-pointers to beat his prop when the New Orleans Pelicans play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday at 9:30 PM ET, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.CJ McCollum's Three-Pointer...
NEWSLETTER
