2013 Minor League Thread 1.0

[Milnertime]

It's pretty extreme best-case-scenario, but it's not unrealistic at all.

Could realistic for the next two years, at that. Those 4 potential guys are all way young.

[DavidH]

It's pretty extreme best-case-scenario, but it's not unrealistic at all.

I do highly doubt that our #2 pick in 2013 would be in the top 20 by this time next year, but otherwise, yea.

[1908_Cubs]

I do highly doubt that our #2 pick in 2013 would be in the top 20 by this time next year, but otherwise, yea.

It wouldn't be that shocking to see him there, in fact, it should almost be expected. Hultzen was #25 in 2012 in Sickles rankings, #21 by BA (2011 #2 pick), Zunino is #23 on MLB.com's list, #27 on Topprospectalert.com, #20 on SeedingStars.com (#2 pick 2012), Jameson Tailon was #18 on MLB.com's list in 2011, #11 by BA in 2011 (#2 pick in 2010), Dustin Ackley was #15 on MLB.com's list in 2010, #11 by BA (2009 #2 pick), Pedro Alvarez was #9 on BA's list in 2009 (#2 pick in 2008).....

In fact, if our number 2 overall pick in 2013 wasn't sitting somewhere right around the #20 ranking in 2014, something would have had to have gone shockingly bad.

[DavidH]

It wouldn't be that shocking to see him there, in fact, it should almost be expected. Hultzen was #25 in 2012 in Sickles rankings, #21 by BA (2011 #2 pick), Zunino is #23 on MLB.com's list, #27 on Topprospectalert.com, #20 on SeedingStars.com (#2 pick 2012), Jameson Tailon was #18 on MLB.com's list in 2011, #11 by BA in 2011 (#2 pick in 2010), Dustin Ackley was #15 on MLB.com's list in 2010, #11 by BA (2009 #2 pick), Pedro Alvarez was #9 on BA's list in 2009 (#2 pick in 2008).....

In fact, if our number 2 overall pick in 2013 wasn't sitting somewhere right around the #20 ranking in 2014, something would have had to have gone shockingly bad.

Top 30, I could see. Top 20 is unlikely. Especially in a weaker draft.

[cubsbullsbears2]

Top 30, I could see. Top 20 is unlikely. Especially in a weaker draft.

Weaker draft is one thing, but there's generally always some talent up top.

Side note: Callis gives Vizcaino a 50/50 chance to start. I'll take those odds everyday for Paul Maholm.

[1908_Cubs]

Top 30, I could see. Top 20 is unlikely. Especially in a weaker draft.

We're essentially arguing semantics here, but the original statement you made was "highly doubtful". 4 of the last 5 #2 picks have come in at #20 or higher on one list or another. And while this is a "weaker draft", there's a lot of top SP talent that should do well in the rankings and = we also have a lot of graduating prospects at the top. It would be very much around the norm for (insert prospect drafted here) to end up around #15-#25 in many rankings next year.

Granted, none of this truly matters because it's essentially an opinion pole at the heart of the matter, but it wouldn't be highly doubtful to see Manaea, Stankek or Appel ranked in the top 20 by this time next year.

[hrubes20]

Ryan McNeil is really interesting. I didn't realize how highly thought of he was going into the draft. I like more than I don't like about the way he throws a baseball.

Next year could be a pretty good year for the starting pitching in the system. System's been pretty devoid of exciting starters arms for a while. Feel like the best that has come along since that pitching heavy system in the early 2000's is the McNutt/Archer 2010 duo and that's almost literally it.

I like McNeil more than Blackburn. Better fastball.

Where do you guys think the following pitching prospects will start the season:

Paniagua
Johnson
Maples
Whitenack
Underwood
Blackburn
Scott
Arias
McNeil

I have tried on a few occasions to try and predict the rotations in the farm to start the season, and I can never finish. The lower levels are a complete mystery. You have about 25 possible starters for 15 rotation spots. Could be plenty of piggy-backing this year.

[SenorGato]

Yeah I was going to comment that I like McNeill more than Blackburn based on the fastball as well. He's a bigger player as well. Underrated breaking ball too.

I could see four top 30 next year. Three top twenty. Hell maybe 5 top 50 if Vogelbach or Paniagua can match the hype.

[SenorGato]

Oh and I expect tons of piggy backing in this system as far as pitching prospects go. I don't expect 5-7 inning outings from lower level guys until mid-season, if that. Only guy who I think they'll let fly is Paniagua, but im probably forgetting someone.

[JBears79]

Yeah I was going to comment that I like McNeill more than Blackburn based on the fastball as well. He's a bigger player as well. Underrated breaking ball too.

I could see four top 30 next year. Three top twenty. Hell maybe 5 top 50 if Vogelbach or Paniagua can match the hype.

I like McNeil a lot as well but he has command issues at the moment. Plenty of potential for him. He's got good size and good frame as well too.

[SenorGato]

Two Cubs on Garrioch's look back at the 2012 IFA period (#1 and #8):

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013/...pdate-for-2012

Soler: Big power potential, future star potential.

Delarosa: Huge ceiling. Good actions up the middle will be plus at 3B or really good at SS. Bat will play at corners. Enormous potential if he can stick at SS.

Delarosa is a switch hitter. He won't turn 18 until the end of the year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pktBwtEX20

[Tom Emanski]

I think my favorite pitching prospect, not named Dylan Bundy, has to be Jose Fernandez. Man I would love for the Cubs to acquire those two guys

[ChicagoCubsTalk]

Check out www.Chicagocubstalk.blogspot.com for the latest Cubs news rumors and fan talk!

[cubsbullsbears2]

Really like Delarosa's swing. Pretty quiet with an easy load, leg kick is very minor

[SenorGato]

He's got Soriano's build. Really lean and knobby but you can tell he's athletic.