Tag Archives: Josh Vitters

Chicago Cubs 2012 Mid-Season Top 5 Prospect Rankings

By: J.P. Schwartz
@Jaypers413

As we are now halfway into the season and the signing deadline for 2012 draft picks has passed, here is my revised list of top 5 prospects in the Chicago Cubs organization.

Remember, a prospect must have fewer than 130 ABs or 50 IP in the Major Leagues to qualify.
(Stats through 7/19/2012)

1) Jorge Soler
Highest Level: 2012 International Free Agent Signing – Has Not Played

2) Javier Baez
Highest Level: Low-A Peoria Chiefs
2012 Stats:
MILB: .333, 6(2B), 4(3B), 8HR, 21RBI, 16SB

3) Albert Almora
Highest Level: 2012 Draft Pick – Has Not Played

4) Jeimer Candelario
Highest Level: Short-A Boise Hawks
2012 Stats:
MILB: .294, 4(2B), 5HR, 22RBI

5) Josh Vitters
Highest Level: AAA Iowa Cubs
2012 Stats:
MILB: .297, 28(2B), 1(3B), 13HR, 52RBI

Send your questions or feedback to J.P. on twitter @Jaypers413

2012 Chicago Cubs Top 15 Prospect Rankings

By: J.P. Schwartz
@Jaypers413 on Twitter
JP’s FreedomCardboard Blog

2012 Chicago Cubs Top 15 Prospect Rankings

Every year at this time I like to rank each team’s top prospects. My criteria is based upon both past performance and future potential to his parent team. This is my ranking of the 2012 Chicago Cubs Top Prospects.

To qualify, a prospect must have fewer than 130 at-bats or 50 innings in MLB

#1 Anthony Rizzo 1B
Born: 8/8/1989
Highest Level Reached: MLB San Diego Padres (Traded From Padres January 2012)
2011 Combined Stats: MINORS: .331, 34(2B), 1(3B), 26HR, 101RBI
MAJORS: .141 (18 hits in 128 at-bats), 8(2B), 1(3B), 1HR, 9RBI

#2 Javier Baez SS
Born: 12/1/1992
Highest Level Reached: Short-A Boise Hawks
2011 Combined Stats: .278, 2(2B), 1RBI (5-18 in 5 pro games; 2011 1st Round Pick)

#3 Brett Jackson OF
Born: 8/2/1988
Highest Level Reached: Triple-A Iowa Cubs
2011 Combined Stats: .274, 23(2B), 5(3B), 20HR, 58RBI, 21SB

#4 Matt Szczur OF
Born: 7/20/1989
Highest Level Reached: High-A Daytona Cubs
2011 Combined Stats: .293, 22(2B), 3(3B), 10HR, 46RBI

#5 Dillon Maples RHP
Born: 5/9/1992
Highest Level Reached: 14th Round Pick 2011 MLB Draft
2011 Combined Stats: Did Not Play In 2011

#6 Jeimer Candelario 3B
Born: 11/24/1993
Highest Level Reached: Rookie League Dominican Summer League Cubs
2011 Combined Stats: .337, 16(2B), 2(3B), 5HR, 53RBI

#7 Josh Vitters 3B
Born: 8/27/1989
Highest Level Reached: Double-A Tennessee Smokies
2011 Combined Stats: .283, 28(2B), 2(3B), 14HR, 81RBI

#8 Dan Vogelbach 1B
Born: 12/17/1992
Highest Level Reached: Rookie League AZL Cubs
2011 Combined Stats: .292, 3(2B), 1HR, 6RBI (7-24 in 6 pro games; 2011 2nd Round Pick)

#9 Pin-Chieh Chen 2B
Born: 7/23/1991
Highest Level Reached: Short-A Boise Hawks
2011 Combined Stats: .301, 14(2B), 4(3B), 2HR, 30RBI

#10 Tony Zych RHP
Born: 8/7/1990
Highest Level Reached: Short-A Boise Hawks
2011 Combined Stats: 0-0, 2.25ERA, 4IP, 2BB, 5K (2011 4th Round Pick)

#11 Ben Wells RHP
Born: 9/10/1992
Highest Level Reached: Short-A Boise Hawks
2011 Combined Stats: 4-4, 4.66ERA, 77.1IP, 19BB, 53K, .265BAA

#12 Trey McNutt RHP
Born: 8/2/1989
Highest Level Reached: Double-A Tennessee Smokies
2011 Combined Stats: 5-6, 4.55ERA, 95IP, 39BB, 65K, .319BAA

#13 Ronald Torreyes 2B
Born: 9/2/1992
Highest Level Reached: Low-A Dayton Dragons (Traded From Reds December 2011)
2011 Combined Stats: .356, 9(2B), 5(3B), 3HR, 41RBI, 12SB

#14 Marco Hernandez SS
Born: 9/6/1992
Highest Level Reached: Rookie League AZL Cubs
2011 Combined Stats: .333, 16(2B), 5(3B), 2HR, 42RBI

#15 Chris Carpenter RHP
Born: 12/26/1985
Highest Level Reached: MLB Chicago Cubs
2011 Combined Stats: MINORS: 3-4, 5.91ERA, 42.2IP, 27BB, 34K, .269BAA
MAJORS: 0-0, 2.79ERA, 9.2IP, 7BB, 8K, .316BAA

Disclaimer – I did not attend any minor league games this year, nor do I claim to have any scouting experience. These lists are the product of my own research of statistics and online scouting reports.

2011 Chicago Cubs Top 15 Prospects Post Season Report Card

With the 2011 minor league season complete we check in on the progress of each of the Chicago Cubs preseason Top 15 prospects as ranked by our prospect ranker J.P. Schwartz The post season grading report was done by the publisher of Top Prospect Alert, not Mr. Schwartz, and reflects only the 2011 season and not future upside or downside of the individual prospect. Our 2012 preseason rankings will be published in the coming months.

#1 Brett Jackson GRADE A-
Jackson batted a combined .274 with 23 Doubles, 5 Triples, 20 Home Runs and 58RBI’s between the Double-A Tennessee Smokies and the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. He also added 21 stolen bases. Jackson walked 73 times and struck out 138 times in 115 games.

#2 Trey McNutt GRADE D+
McNutt went 5-6 with a 4.55ERA in 95 innings for Double-A Tennessee. He walked 39 and struck out 65. Opposing batters hit .319 against McNutt on the season. His ERA was over two runs higher than in 2010 and opponents batted 102 points better off him compared with a year ago.

#3 Josh Vitters GRADE B
Vitters batted .283 with 28 Doubles, 2 Triples, 14 Home Runs and 81 RBI’s for Double-A Tennessee. He struck out just 54 times in 129 games.

#4 Chris Carpenter GRADE C
Carpenter went 2-4 with 5.91ERA in 42.2 innings at Triple-A Iowa. He walked 27 and struck out 34 batters. Opponents hit .269 against Carpenter this season. In 10 big league appearances with the Cubs through September 7th, Carpenter went 0-0 with a 2.79ERA in 9.2 innings. He walked 7, struck out 8, and big league hitters batted .316 against him.

#5 Hayden Simpson GRADE D
Simpson went a combined 1-10 with a 6.27ERA between the Rookie League AZL Cubs and the Low-A Peoria Chiefs. He walked 38 and struck out 57 in 79 innings. Opposing hitters batted .317 off Simpson. He was demoted to the AZL Cubs after struggling in Low-A in the first half, and actually put up worse numbers in the Arizona League, going 0-4 with a 8.15ERA and allowing opposing batters to hit at a .356 clip.

#6 Matt Szczur GRADE B+
Szczur batted a combined .293 with 22 Doubles, 3 Triples, 10 Home Runs, and 46 RBI’s between Low-A Peoria and the High-A Daytona Cubs. He struck out just 48 times while drawing 24 walks in 109 games. He also stole 24 bases on the season.

#7 Rafael Dolis GRADE B
Dolis converted to a reliever this year and went 8-5 with 17 saves and a 3.32ERA for Double-A Tennessee. He walked 35 and struck out 48 in 72.2 innings of work. Opposing batters hit just .227 off Dolis this season.

#8 Michael Burgess GRADE C-
Burgess batted .225 with 24 Doubles, 1 Triple, 20 Home Runs and 68 RBI’s for High-A Daytona. The .225 batting average was the lowest of Burgess’ three full seasons in High-A.

#9 Reggie Golden GRADE C+
Golden batted .242 with 10 Doubles, 5 Triples, 7 Home Runs, and 39RBI’s for the Short-A Boise Hawks. He walked 28 times and struck out 68 times in 64 games.

#10 A.J. Morris DID NOT PLAY
Morris did not make an appearance in 2011 as he recovers from off season shoulder surgery.

#11 D.J. LeMahieu GRADE A-
LeMahieu batted a combined .319 with 22 Doubles, 3 Triples, 5 Home Runs, and 50 RBI’s between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa. Through September 7th LeMahieu batted .275 with a Double and 2 RBI’s in 40 big league at bats with the Cubs.

#12 Ryan Flaherty GRADE B-
Flaherty batted a combined .280 with 31 Doubles, 3 Triples, 19 Home Runs and 88 RBI’s between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa. After batting .305 with Tennessee in 83 games, Flaherty was promoted to Iowa where he hit just .237 in the final 49 games of the 2011 season.

#13 Jay Jackson GRADE C-
Jackson went 8-14 with a 5.35ERA at Triple-A Iowa. He walked 46 batters and struck out 97 in 146.2 innings of work. Opposing batters hit .305 off Jackson on the year.

#14 Ben Wells GRADE C+
Wells went 4-4 with a 4.66ERA in 77.1 innings at Short-A Boise. He walked 19 and struck out 53. Opposing hitters batted .265 off Wells on the season.

#15 Austin Reed GRADE C-
Reed went 2-7 with a 6.08ERA for Short-A Boise. He walked 25 and struck out 36 in 63.2 innings of work. Opposing batters hit .320 off Reed in 2011.

Sunday’s Notable Minor League Home Runs

AAA:
Chris Carter Oakland Athletics – Home Run #18

Johan Limonta Seattle Mariners – Home Run #14

Brad Nelson Texas Rangers – Home Run #24

AA:
Tyler Moore Washington Nationals – Home Run #31

Mike McDade Toronto Blue Jays – Home Run #16

Corban Joseph New York Yankees – Home Run #5

Ronnie Welty Baltimore Orioles – Home Run #13

Allan Dykstra New York Mets – Home Run #18

Josh Vitters Chicago Cubs – Home Run #14

Brian Cavazos-Galvez Los Angeles Dodgers – Home Run #13 & #14

Cody Puckett Cincinnati Reds – Home Run #15

Luke Montz Florida Marlins – Home Run #22

Sawyer Carroll San Diego Padres – Home Run #18

High-A:
Gary Brown San Francisco Giants – Home Run #14

Jeudy Valdez San Diego Padres – Home Run #14

Xavier Scruggs St Louis Cardinals – Home Run #21

Brad Glenn Toronto Blue Jays – Home Run #26

Adam Abraham Cleveland Indians – Home Run #17

Andy Wilkins Chicago White Sox – Home Run #23

Joe Terdoslavich Atlanta Braves – Home Run #20

Michael Choice Oakland Athletics – Home Run #30

Matt Davidson Arizona Diamondbacks – Home Run #20

Low-A:
Jackie Bradley Jr Boston Red Sox – Home Run #1

Jake Skole Texas Rangers – Home Run #8 & #9

Isaac Galloway Florida Marlins – Home Run #18

Mark Canha Florida Marlins – Home Run #25

Kevin Keyes Washington Nationals – Home Run #17

Jason Martinson Washington Nationals – Home Run #19

Nick Castellanos Detroit Tigers – Home Run #7

David Vidal Cincinnati Reds – Home Run #20

Friday’s Notable Minor League Home Runs

AAA:
Ryan Strieby Detroit Tigers – Home Run #17

Jorge Vazquez New York Yankees – Home Run #25

Chris Valaika Cincinnati Reds – Home Run #3

Brett Jackson Chicago Cubs – Home Run #2

Salvador Perez Kansas City Royals – Home Run #1

Anthony Rizzo San Diego Padres – Home Run #20

Jai Miller Oakland Athletics – Home Run #26

Hank Conger Los Angeles Angels – Home Run #3

Nick Noonan San Francisco Giants – Home Run #1

AA:
Neftali Soto Cincinnati Reds – Home Run #20

L.J. Hoes Baltimore Orioles – Home Run #3 & #4

Andrew Lambo Pittsburgh Pirates – Home Run #3

Michael Bianucci Texas Rangers – Home Run #25

Christian Colon Kansas City Royals – Home Run #8

Josh Vitters Chicago Cubs – Home Run #11

Ryan Jackson St Louis Cardinals – Home Run #9

High-A:
Wilmer Flores New York Mets – Home Run #8

Robbie Grossman Pittsburgh Pirates – Home Run #10

Tony Plagman Detroit Tigers – Home Run #16

L.V. Ware Atlanta Braves – Home Run #6

Jonathan Galvez San Diego Padres – Home Run #9 & #10

Reymond Fuentes San Diego Padres – Home Run #3

Nolan Arenado Colorado Rockies – Home Run #6

Low-A:
Cody Rogers Tampa Bay Rays – Home Run #11

Marcus Knecht Toronto Blue Jays – Home Run #11

Marcell Ozuna Florida Marlins – Home Run #16

Christian Yelich Florida Marlins – Home Run #11

Corey Dickerson Colorado Rockies – Home Run #21

Kevin Keyes Washington Nationals – Home Run #10

David Freitas Washington Nationals – Home Run #12

Sean Coyle Boston Red Sox – Home Run #11

Jim Murphy Philadelphia Phillies – Home Run #21

Tuesday’s Notable Minor League Home Runs

AAA:
Jesus Montero New York Yankees – Home Run #10

Jorge Vazquez New York Yankees – Home Run #23

Brandon Inge Detroit Tigers – Home Run #3

Russ Canzler Tampa Bay Rays – Home Run #13

Nick Stavinoha St Louis Cardinals – Home Run #20

Koby Clemens Houston Astros – Home Run #14

Michael Taylor Oakland Athletics – Home Run #12

Jeremy Moore Los Angeles Angels – Home Run #9

Anthony Rizzo San Diego Padres – Home Run #18

AA:
Paul Goldschmidt Arizona Diamondbacks – Home Run #30

Matthew Adams St Louis Cardinals – Home Run #24

Tommy Mendonca Texas Rangers – Home Run #21

Salvador Perez Kansas City Royals – Home Run #9

Kody Hinze Houston Astros – Home Run #5

Josh Vitters Chicago Cubs – Home Run #10

Derek Norris Washington Nationals – Home Run #13

L.J. Hoes Baltimore Orioles – Home Run #1 & #2

Tim Federowicz Boston Red Sox – Home Run #7

J.D. Martinez Houston Astros – Home Run #12

High-A:
Andy Wilkins Chicago White Sox – Home Run #15 & #16

Jonathan Schoop Baltimore Orioles – Home Run #1

Bryce Brentz Boston Red Sox – Home Run #11

Justin Bour Chicago Cubs – Home Run #21

Michael Burgess Chicago Cubs – Home Run #14

Jonathan Singleton Philadelphia Phillies – Home Run #9

Xavier Scruggs St Louis Cardinals – Home Run #10

Low-A:
Gary Sanchez New York Yankees – Home Run #10

Kyle Parker Colorado Rockies – Home Run #17

Christian Villanueva Texas Rangers – Home Run #13

Thursday’s Notable Minor League Home Runs

AAA
Ryan Lavarnway Boston Red Sox – Home Run #12

Russ Canzler Tampa Bay Rays – Home Run #12

Mauro Gomez Atlanta Braves – Home Run #18

Adrian Cardenas Oakland Athletics – Home Run #4

Jerry Sands Los Angeles Dodgers – Home Run #15

Taylor Green Milwaukee Brewers – Home Run #14

Chris Nelson Colorado Rockies – Home Run #8 & #9

AA
Tyler Moore Washington Nationals – Home Run #22

Beau Mills Cleveland Indians – Home Run #11

Jordany Valdespin New York Mets – Home Run #12 & #13

Allan Dykstra New York Mets – Home Run #13

Matt Den Dekker New York Mets – Home Run #5

Chih-Hsien Chiang Boston Red Sox – Home Run #17

Josh Vitters Chicago Cubs – Home Run #9

Ryan Wheeler Arizona Diamondbacks – Home Run #13

Tim Beckham Tampa Bay Rays – Home Run #6

Michael Bianucci Texas Rangers – Home Run #22

Luis Jimenez Los Angeles Angels – Home Run #14

Jon Gaston Houston Astros – Home Run #4 & #5

High-A
Reymond Fuentes San Diego Padres – Home Run #2

Bryce Brentz Boston Red Sox – Home Run #10

Jonathan Singleton Philadelphia Phillies – Home Run #8

Cesar Puello New York Mets – Home Run #7

Nathan Freiman San Diego Padres – Home Run #15 & #16

Low-A
Carlos Moncrief Cleveland Indians – Home Run #13 & #14

Jesus Aguilar Cleveland Indiands – Home Run #20

Derrick Dietrich Tampa Bay Rays – Home Run #13

Donald Lutz Cincinnati Reds – Home Run #14 (Hit for Cycle)

Marcell Ozuna Florida Marlins – Home Run #14

Andrew Clark Texas Rangers – Home Runs #9 & #10

Jim Murphy Philadelphia Phillies – Home Run #20