The folks at FanGraphs have generally been higher on this crop of Chicago Cubs prospects than most, and that seems to continue into their updated top 52 ranking of the system. Heck, that number alone should tell you a lot: the Cubs have a whopping 52 prospects graded at a 35+ FV or better, according to FanGraphs – that’s a ton! Most teams are in the 30 to 40 range.
I don’t know which cut-off is most impressive, but I think it’s probably the fact that 24 Cubs prospects are listed at 40+ FV or better. That’s just so many high-quality prospects in one system (and consider that some of those 40+ guys are potentially underrated – Miguel Amaya, Michael Arias, Alexander Canario, and Jackson Ferris fall into that 40+ group!). Heck, among the names that *didn’t* make the top-52 and instead just get a mention: B.J. Murray Jr., Ed Howard, Luke Little, Porter Hodge, Yonathan Perlaza, and so many more. Names that you know! Heck, Luis Vazquez didn’t even get an honorable mention! This system is absurdly deep.
Indeed, that’s how FG’s system overview begins: “This system is incredibly deep and is pretty comfortably a top 10 farm right now. It’s ‘high end’ (prospects in the 40+ FV tier and above) is thicc, especially with hard-throwing pitchers … “
You will definitely want to read the piece, and look at all the names.
Among the biggest surprises are the ranking for James Triantos, who shoots up to number two in the system for FG. They’re clearly buying the bat – which, as we’ve discussed, is doing some truly ridiculous things at High-A at just 20 years old – and also believe there’s a chance the glove can be passable at second or third.
FG is not immune from the whole “dropping Kevin Alcántara” thing, as he slides behind Triantos, Ben Brown, and Jordan Wicks on the list. Kudos to those guys, of course, but I truly don’t see it. My opinion on Alcántara is completely unchanged from preseason, and his last month and a half of scorching performance only underscores it.
Jefferson Rojas now ranks right there with Cristian Hernández, both being 45 FVs. The folks at FG aren’t sure Rojas can stick at shortstop, where he’s been sharing time at Myrtle Beach with Hernández, but the bat might play anywhere. Rojas is just 18, and when you watch him, the bat looks much more mature than that.
Haydn McGeary’s 90th percentile exit velocity is 110 mph, according to FG, which, holy crap. That’s big league caliber, and when you combine it with the discipline he’s shown (at Double-A in his first full pro season), there’s definitely significant offensive upside there. The remaining question is whether he can handle upper-level/MLB-caliber fastballs with consistency.
There’s just so much to digest in the list. Scouting reports on the 52 ranked prospects. System overview. Lots of honorable mentions. I’m still taking it all in.