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Eric Mack

Highlighting top Cubs prospects for '09

By | Senior Fantasy Writer


We are breaking down the top five prospects for each organization for 2009, taking into consideration: games, at-bats, innings and major-league service time. We expect these players to have rookie status remaining heading into next year.

According to MLB rules: "A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the major leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a major league club or clubs during the period of 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list)."

Note: Statistics are those at each stop in the minors this season and age represents how old they will be on opening day 2009.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs arguably had the deepest team in the major leagues last season and they have a healthy set of prospects on the way. That combination makes them an elite contender and at an extremely dangerous boil on the Hot Stove this winter. If they choose to go for broke, you could see the Cubs in the bidding for every significant piece on the market. We say this after they dealt a nice collection of farmhands for the likes of Rich Harden at the trade deadline.

1. RH SP Jeff Samardzija, 24

There is no longer any doubt the former Notre Dame product made the right decision to become a pitcher instead of a first-round NFL Draft pick. He will serve a significant role for the Cubs in the rotation or as a setup man if he is not a leading bargaining chip for the likes of a Jake Peavy this winter.

Level W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR BB SO GO/AO BAA
Double-A 3 5 4.86 16 15 0 0 0 76 71 43 41 6 42 44 0.64 .252
Triple-A 4 1 3.13 6 6 1 0 0 37 1/3 32 13 13 5 16 40 1.39 .241
Totals 7 6 4.29 22 21 1 0 0 113 1/3 103 56 54 11 58 84 0.80 .248
Majors 1 0 2.28 26 0 0 0 1 27 2/3 24 12 7 0 15 25 0.97 .226

2. SP Donald Veal, 24

This lefty was a bit wild this season and in the Arizona Fall League, but if he can harness his stuff, he will be a solid big league starter. The Cubs won't have room for him in 2009, but he could come on nicely with some seasoning and development of command.

Level W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR BB SO GO/AO BAA
Double-A 5 10 4.52 29 29 0 0 0 145 1/3 150 89 73 19 81 123 1.18 .276

3. SP Mitch Atkins, 23

Atkins was a 17-game winner who went an astounding 8-1 in Triple-A. Despite a high ERA, he was still tough to hit. He walked a lot of batters late in the season, so he will get a full season in Triple-A -- especially behind the deep crop of pitchers the Cubs already have in the pipeline.

Level W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR BB SO GO/AO BAA
Double-A 9 6 3.76 18 18 0 0 0 110 107 58 46 14 27 88 0.97 .250
Triple-A 8 1 4.47 10 10 0 0 0 54 1/3 48 29 27 11 23 44 0.60 .236
Totals 17 7 4.00 28 28 0 0 0 164 1/3 155 87 73 25 50 132 0.83 .246

4. 1B Micah Hoffpauir, 29

If you looked just at his numbers and his clutch hits for the Cubs down the stretch, you would consider Hoffpauir an elite Fantasy product, but his age makes him a late-bloomer and unlikely to project as an everyday big leaguer. He would be a lot more useful to the Cubs and Fantasy owners as an outfielder, but you would have had to figure that would have happened already. The power potential cannot be completely dismissed, though.

Level AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLUG OPS
Triple-A .362 71 290 63 105 34 2 25 100 218 17 46 2 0 .393 .752 1.145
Majors .342 33 73 14 25 8 0 2 8 39 6 24 1 0 .400 .534 .934

5. 3B Josh Vitters, 19

Vitters didn't have the homer totals you would like to see out of an early first-round pick (2007), but look at that OPS in his first full pro season. Vitters has a very high ceiling, but he is still years away from realizing his true potential and impacting Fantasy leagues.

Level AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLUG OPS
Low A .214 4 14 1 3 3 0 0 1 6 0 5 0 0 .214 .429 .643
Low A .328 61 259 38 85 25 2 5 37 129 13 45 1 3 .365 .498 .863
Totals .322 65 273 39 88 28 2 5 38 135 13 50 1 3 .357 .495 .852

Best of the rest: OF Tyler Colvin, C Luis Bautista, RP Kevin Hart, 2B Tony Thomas, C Jake Fox, C Steve Clevenger, SP Mark Holliman, SP Andrew Cashner, SP Dae-Eun Rhee, SP Robert Hernandez, OF Josh Kroeger, 2B Nate Spears, SP Larry Suarez, 2B Starlin Castro, SS Junior Lake, SP Alex Maestri, RP Bill Petrick, OF Kyler Burke, OF Doug Deeds, SS Ryan Flaherty, C/1B Blake Lalli, OF Sam Fuld, OF James Adduci, SP Aaron Shafer, SP Chris Carpenter, OF Matt Cerda, C Welington Castillo, RP Jose Ascanio, RP Carmen Pignatiello, SP Ryan Acosta, RP Rocky Roquet, RP Jeremy Papelbon, RP Casey Lambert, SP James Russell, RP Adam Harben, SS Darwin Barney, 3B Josh Lansford, OF Ryan Harvey, RP Mark Pawelek and SP Chris Huseby.

2008 rookies to exhaust eligibility: C Geovany Soto and OF Kosuke Fukudome.

Last year's top five here: C Soto, RP Hart, OF Eric Patterson (traded to OAK for Harden), SP Veal and OF Colvin.

You can e-mail Emack your Fantasy Baseball prospect questions to DMFantasyBaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Cubs prospects in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee personal responses to all questions.

 
 
 
Player News
A.J. Burnett
Yanks, Pirates still talking Burnett
A.J. Burnett, SP, NYY
5:27 PM
News: The New York Daily News reports the Yankees and Pirates continued to talk Sunday about completing a trade for A.J. Burnett, but a baseball source said the sides are still "a good ways away" from agreeing on the final terms. The source added the Pirates are willing to pay $10 million of the remaining $33 million Burnett is owed over the next two seasons, but Pittsburgh has offered "two borderline prospects" in return. The Yankees could be willing to pay more of Burnett's remaining contract if they receive a top-tier prospect from Pittsburgh. A person familiar with the Yankees' thinking believes there is enough common ground that a deal could be completed in the coming days. However, ESPN.com reports their source said the Yankees aren't desperate to make a trade and the team would go to spring training with Burnett if a deal isn't completed.
Analysis: Leaving the Yankees usually has a negative impact on a player's Fantasy value, but in Burnett's case it might be the opposite, especially if he moves to the NL. He has struggled to handle the pressure of pitching in New York and a fresh start could be what he needs. Burnett had some of his best years in the majors pitching in the NL. Still, Burnett would be nothing more than a risky late-round Fantasy pick in mixed leagues.
Josh Johnson
JJ continues to feel no discomfort
Josh Johnson, SP, MIA
3:09 PM
News: The Sports Xchange reports Marlins SP Josh Johnson arrived to the team's spring training complex in Jupiter, Fla., on Feb. 9, more than a week ahead of the Marlins reporting date for pitchers and catchers. Johnson, who has been throwing off a mound near his home in Las Vegas, threw his first bullpen session of the year in Florida on Feb. 10. He felt no discomfort and expects to be ready for the first workouts on Feb. 22. He made only nine starts last year because of shoulder issues.
Analysis: Any encouraging news regarding JJ is welcomed. But Fantasy owners do have to be aware of the risk of drafting him. Of course his potential makes it worth it, but JJ has made it past 30 starts just once in his career. Look to Johnson as more of a No. 2 Fantasy SP on Draft Day, but clearly he has the potential to be your ace if he can stay healthy.
Hisashi Iwakuma
Iwakuma says shoulder is fine
Hisashi Iwakuma, SP, SEA
5:18 PM
News: MLB.com reports Mariners SP Hisashi Iwakuma said his shoulder is fine after he was limited to 17 starts last season in Japan because of a sore right shoulder. "I talked to him at length a couple days ago," pitching coach Carl Willis said. "This is obviously all new to him being in the States for the first time, with a different routine pitching every fifth day instead of sixth or seventh. But he's not an 18-year-old kid either. He has a history of what he's done to get ready for a season and we'll talk daily. Really, at the outset it comes down to me listening to him, because he's the one who knows what he needs to do to get ready."
Analysis: Iwakuma had a 107-69 record in 226 career games in Japan. The right-hander was selected the 2008 Pacific League MVP and winner of the Eiji Sawamura Award (the equivalent of the Cy Young Award) after going 21-4 with a 1.87 ERA. Last season, Iwakuma went 6-7 with a 2.42 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 17 starts. While his numbers overseas are impressive, you know it has been hit or miss when it has come to Japanese pitchers in the majors. Even if Iwakuma lands a rotation spot with Seattle, you won't want to use more than a late-round flier on him.
Tim Hudson
Hudson cleared to increase throwing
Tim Hudson, SP, ATL
4:25 PM
News: The Sports Xchange reports Braves SP Tim Hudson, who is recovering from surgery to repair a disc in his back late in November, had been playing light catch in his yard until begin cleared by doctors this week to increase his throwing.
Analysis: The word around Braves camp is proceed with caution in regards to the veteran Hudson. Pretty much every important Braves official has said they won't rush the right-hander in his recovery, and Atlanta is willing to start the season without him if it comes to that. We will just have to see how he progresses this spring. Consider Hudson an injury-risk, mid-round Fantasy pick on Draft Day. Clearly, he can be a very productive Fantasy option when healthy.
Mike Minor
Minor having early control problems
Mike Minor, SP, ATL
4:21 PM
News: The Sports Xchange reports Braves SP Mike Minor, vying again this spring for the fifth starter's job, said, "All my pitches are everywhere right now." His says his arm feels good, but that it's lagging and he isn't following through. Fortunately, he knows the point of the Braves' early throwing program is to get these preseason inconsistencies out of the way.
Analysis: Minor is considered the favorite to win the final spot in the Braves' rotation over Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado. However, Minor might be needed at the start of the season regardless if Tim Hudson's recovery from back surgery doesn't go as planned. Minor kind of disappointed in 15 starts in 2011. In fact, he has just a 4.74 ERA in 24 outings (23 starts) as a major leaguer and hasn't shown the same type of dominance he did in the minors. Still, the Braves have high hopes for the lefty and aren't giving up on him just yet. If Minor does make the rotation this spring, then look to him as a late-round Fantasy option in deep formats.
Craig Kimbrel
Kimbrel working on changeup
Craig Kimbrel, RP, ATL
4:19 PM
News: The Sports Xchange reports Braves RP Craig Kimbrel is working on locating his changeup, which he may use during the season if he's able to master it. But even if it's not ready for prime time, throwing it helps stretch him out for his fastball. He has yet to throw his curveball.
Analysis: While Kimbrel struggled at the end of the 2011 season, he still dominated hitters for most of the season on his way to winning NL rookie of the year honors. It's good that he is working to get better, but he shouldn't have to change too much since he has been a smash hit since debuting in 2010. Kimbrel is a must-own Fantasy RP and will likely be the first RP selected in many drafts this spring.
Roy Oswalt
Phillies not in running for Oswalt?
Roy Oswalt, SP, PHI
4:06 PM
News: The Sports Xchange reports Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. defused a FOXSports.com report that his team remained in the hunt to re-sign Roy Oswalt. "We really don't have any room for him," Amaro told MLB.com. "We have five, six starters, and our resources are about where we want to be right now. I think he wouldn't mind coming back, but I don't know that's feasible or a real possibility."
Analysis: The Phillies surfaced as a possible destination for Oswalt after rumors surfaced again that the team wanted to trade Joe Blanton. It seems the Phillies have no immediate plans to bring Oswalt aboard, but we will have to continue to track his offseason progress. Fortunately, all of the teams linked to Oswalt are expected contenders, but even so, Oswalt would be at best a No. 4 Fantasy SP given his chronic back woes and declining numbers.
Dustin Pedroia
Pedroia healthy heading into spring
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS
4:01 PM
News: The Sports Xchange reports Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia will be healthy once again when he reports to spring training. In 2010, Pedroia broke a bone in his left foot that required season-ending surgery. And last season, he played with a screw inserted in his foot to improve the healing process. But with his foot fully healed, the screw was removed in October, which can only improve his peace of mind, according to manager Bobby Valentine. "I would think, especially in the cold weather, it had to be really a problem for him," Valentine said. "He said he hasn't felt this way for at least two years. He's a terrific player. David Ortiz told me I'm going to be really excited watching him play, and I believe that."
Analysis: Pedroia might not have been 100 percent in 2011, but it was hard to tell by the numbers he produced. He batted .307 with 21 homers, 37 doubles and 91 RBI in 159 games. The fact he can now put his foot situation behind him is definitely encouraging. Continue to view Pedroia as an early-round Fantasy option.
J.D. Martinez
Martinez adds weight in offseason
J.D. Martinez, LF, HOU
3:55 PM
News: The Sports Xchange reports Astros LF J.D. Martinez said he has gained 22 pounds this offseason as his weight and his production fell, as usual, by the end of last season. Martinez had an on-base plus slugging of .834 OPS in August last year, and that fell to .622 in September as the long season took its toll.
Analysis: Martinez might have struggled down the stretch in 2011, but he is still a player to watch in 2012. He has more then exceeded expectations as a 20th round pick in 2009. He was a career .342 hitter in the minors, sporting a .407 OBP and .958 OPS. Martinez is more of a doubles hitter than home run slugger, but that doesn't mean he can't help your Fantasy team. He is likely to hit third in front of Carlos Lee, so he should see some good pitches to hit. Consider Martinez a late-round Fantasy sleeper.
Jason Castro
Castro to miss first week of games
Jason Castro, C, HOU
3:50 PM
News: The Sports Xchange reports Astros C Jason Castro is expected back for the second week of Grapefruit League games, manager Brad Mills said. Castro missed last season because of a torn ACL and had surgery in December to remove a sesamoid bone from his foot.
Analysis: While Castro might not be ready for the start of spring games, the goal is obviously to get him healthy for the start of the season. Mills has already said Castro is the team's starting catcher, despite the signing of veteran Chris Snyder. Castro said he is ahead of schedule in his recovery from foot surgery. The Astros are really high on Castro's potential, but he is more of an NL-only Fantasy option until he proves healthy and productive.
 
 
 
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