Cubs Prospect Notes: Signing Top IFA Prospect, Scout’s Take on Amaya, Marquez Fire, More

I can honestly say I didn’t expect enough Cubs prospect stuff to pop up in early April of this shutdown to put a post together, but hey, what do you know? Some newsy bits and fun bits to get into. Distraction time!

  • First, among the newsy bits, Baseball America gets into the top projected signing bonuses in the upcoming IFA class (which, by the way, can be delayed from July to January as part of the MLB/MLBPA interim plan for this year, though no decision has been made):
  • The pictured prospect right there? That’s Cristian Hernandez, believed by some to be the best prospect in the class, and he’s ticketed to sign with the Cubs for a bonus around $3.5 million (4th highest in the class, behind a trio of prospects around $4 million). We’ve discussed Hernandez before, who figures to be the Cubs’ top international signing since the famed Gleyber Torres/Eloy Jimenez class. More from BA on Hernandez:
  • “On pure talent, Hernandez has a case to make as the top overall player in the 2020 international class. He has an outstanding, high-level swing, with fast bat speed and a barrel that stays on plane through the hitting zone for a long time. He has performed well in games and drives the ball with impact, giving him a chance for plus or better raw power, especially once he fills out his projectable build. Hernandez’s bat is what generates the most attention, but he’s also a good athlete and a plus runner.”

  • It’s awesome to hear that he’s seen as still having projection in his frame – he’s already listed at 6’2″ and 165 lbs, but doesn’t turn 17 until December. Obviously all teenage prospects signed like this are lottery tickets, but hey, doesn’t hurt to land the one that many believe is the best player in the crop.
  • Some Hernandez work from last summer:
  • One more from BA, with a prospecting look at Cubs catching prospect Miguel Amaya:
  • You are reminded right up front by Josh Norris that Amaya – a catcher – was the single youngest position player in all of the Carolina League last year when it opened. The lengthy scout’s take is so worth a read, and includes this conclusion:
  • “Overall, given the plus package defensively, age on his side and the chance for solid power production, he is a plus player. He is an all-star capable type guy who will be dependable and an asset behind the plate and put mistakes into the seats for you.

    I don’t see an elite player, but rather a really good big leaguer who fits as a plus everyday catcher.”

  • This is fantastic stuff from Bryan, and totally worth a watch – lots of commentary and videos within:
  • I will never not enjoy love for Brailyn Marquez:
  • A little prospect throwback:
  • 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.

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