Chicago Cubs fans have been spoiled when it comes to these top prospects lists over the past several years. The Cubs top prospects were baseball’s top prospects. But with the promotion of Jorge Soler, Javier Baez, Addison Russell, Kyle Schwarber, and Kris Bryant last season, you’d assume the cupboard was bare.
You would be wrong.
The Chicago system is extremely filled, and continues to be extremely talented. With six guys in MLB’s Top 100, you can be sure the Cubs will have success for many years to come.
Cubs Top Prospects
Listing and scouting report of each of the Cubs top prospects per the MLB Top 100.
#88. BILLY MCKINNEY, OF
Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 45 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
When the Cubs traded Jeff Samardzija to the Oakland A’s back in 2014, Addison Russell wasn’t the only steal they received in return. McKinney appears to be another legit piece to eventually add to the Cubs outfield.
Billy came into the minors playing centerfield, but has mostly played right while in the Cubs system. He doesn’t possess the great defensive skill like some have given him credit for, and will more than likely break into the league as a left fielder.
But Billy isn’t on this list because of his glove. He is here because he can hit, and is considered one of the best hitting prospects in MiLB. In fact, MLB.com had this to say about his bat.
“McKinney has hit everywhere he has gone, the result of his quick left-handed swing, tremendous hand-eye coordination and mature approach.”
What is even more impressive is, his ability to draw walks is tops in the Cubs system. His quick bat and his eye have helped him build good averages and on base percentages.
His speed is possibly his only real weakness, and breaking his knee cap last season definitely brings an extra set of eyes on him this season. If he responds well Billy can see himself on a major league roster sometime in 2017.
#86. ALBERT ALMORA, CF
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 65 | Overall: 55
Albert has been on Cubs fans minds since the 2012 draft. He was the first draft pick of the current Cubs regime, and has always been billed as the most experienced player in the Cubs system.
“[Almora] played for six U.S. national teams before signing for $3.9 million as the sixth overall pick in the 2012 Draft.”
Additionally, Almora is the most sound defender in the Cubs organization. With the ability to step into the Wrigley centerfield and make a run at a National League Gold Glove tomorrow, the system has needed to wait for his bat to come around.
Albert might have a ceiling as a .280 hitter with 15 HRs, but his true value would be his experience and leadership qualities. With many players on the current Cubs roster spending a season or two with Almora, once an established major leaguer, he very well could become another club leader.
His offense hasn’t developed like he, or the Cubs would have liked thus far. If he were to put together a solid season at the plate, learned to take some more pitches, and use more of the raw power he has, it wouldn’t be outrageous to see him called up in September with a chance to make the club in 2017.
#77. DUANE UNDERWOOD, P
Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55
Duane has dominating first round stuff, but the inability to control that stuff is what caused him to slip to the Cubs in the second round in the 2012 draft. The Cubs Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer wanted a potential steal in the second round, and he just might be turning into that.
Coming out of high school, Duane had a 98 MPH fastball, and a hammer curve that he used to dominate hitters. While he has learned to curb the velocity in an effort to improve upon his control, his secondary pitches (the curve and change-up) haven’t come along as impressively.
“Underwood’s fastball is notable for both its 92-96 mph velocity and its late life, which makes it difficult to square up for hitters. Both his curveball and changeup show signs of becoming plus pitches but neither is fully reliable yet.”
Underwood struggled early on in his professional career with his control, but a re-dedication to getting in shape, Duane has improved dramatically (4.7 walks per nine to 3.0 walks per nine). While he still relies on the fastball, he hasn’t shown signs of being able to strike many hitters out, like a guy with late movement typically would. There is a thought that, if he is capable of developing those other two pitches, or add another (slider) then the strike out figures would increase.
Underwood’s career path could very well go in multiple directions. If he can develop his secondary, or out pitches, he has a career as a starter. That career has a ceiling as a No. 2 starter on a MLB roster. The other path is as a reliever. As a reliever he will only need one other pitch, and he would be best suited to dial his fastball up to 98 again. If he were to make the change, he might not miss many bats, but could be a very valuable late inning guy as not many hitters square him up.
#76. IAN HAPP, 2B
Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 55
The Chicago Cubs have benefited greatly by selecting high in the last several drafts, but as the team begins to turn the corner the team will need to select smarter to ensure their minor leagues stay packed with talent. Ian Happ represents the last top ten draft pick the Cubs will have for a very long time (knock on wood).
One of the biggest intangibles the Cubs have in Ian is, he has had lofty expectations set on him throughout his baseball career. He was first anointed the best position player in the Cape Cod League while playing with the University of Cincinnati in back-to-back seasons, and recently he was named the third best second baseman in the minors.
Ian has always been able to hit (which his 60 rating suggests) but his biggest glaring weakness has been on the defensive side of the ball. Having come into college as a second baseman, the Bearcats moved Happ into the outfield due to his limitations in the field. While playing with the Cubs he mostly played second, it is yet to be determined if he will remain there as he progresses through the system.
“There isn’t much that Happ can’t do offensively. A switch-hitter, he exhibits a quick stroke and good balance from both sides of the plate, and he owns deceptive strength and solid speed. Happ should post high batting averages and on-base percentages, and he has the upside of a 20-20 player.”
Make no mistake about it, Happ will be a major leaguer and it will be his bat that carries him there. He is like Kyle Schwarber in this sense as he possess a potential impact bat, but the team will eventually have to answer the question of which position he will play.
Regardless, Ian will make a debut on the Northside sometime in the next several seasons. His bat will eventually put the pressure on the team to make the move, and when he does get that call all signs point to him being able to perform offensively almost immediately. While his bat will put the pressure on, the Cubs will be in a much different position in 2017 one 18, and will not need to make a rash decision with Happ’s call-up.
#50. WILLSON CONTRERAS, C
Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
Willson came to the Cubs in 2009 when they signed him out of Venezuela as a third baseman. Fast forward to 2012 and the Cubs moved him behind the plate where he developed exceptional quickness, and his athleticism has helped him quickly adapt to the backstop position.
Just how fast has he adapted? In three short years he has become the top rated catching prospect in baseball.
“Contreras stands out most with his offensive production. He entered last season with a career .689 OPS, but he led the Double-A Southern League in batting (.333) and extra-base hits (46), a tribute to his improved plate discipline and strength. Contreras is a quality hitter with solid raw power that’s starting to show up more in game production.”
Not only has Willson become the best catching prospect in the minors, he may have developed himself into the best Cubs hitter as well. While the Cubs do have two catching prospects at the Triple-A level, ahead of Contreras, the future catching position has Willson’s name all over it.
Number one doesn’t necessarily mean he’s the finished product. Willson still needs to find a way to be better at fielding his position. While he has quickness others his size do not possess, his frame doesn’t always allow for great movement. While a concern now, he will continue to learn body positioning and should continue to develop those skills.
Willson might be the prospect that could make the jump to the majors the quickest, but he is blocked at the major league level for some time. The Cubs have Miguel Montero and David Ross as their regular catchers, and Kyle Schwarber is the next man up and will make a handful of starts behind the plate in 2016. This leaves Contreras waiting for Ross to retire, and Montero’s contract to end before getting a shot in Chicago. With Schwarber’s best value being at the catcher position as well, Contreras might be suited more for another team.
#28. GLEYBER TORRES, SS
Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55
I mean, what would the Chicago Cubs organization be if they didn’t have a shortstop as their top rated prospect? From Starlin Castro to Javier Baez to Addison Russell and now to Torres, the Cubs have always been rich at SS. Like each one before him, there are many that suggest that Gleyber could be the best of them all.
Torres has a goal of making it to the major leagues in four years, and while he would prefer to do so as a SS. With Addison Russell appearing to have a stronghold on the SS position, Torres does project well as a second baseman and should have enough power to warrant a look at third base.
“He has a quick right-handed swing and a mature approach, recognizing pitches well and using the entire field. Once Torres gets stronger and learns to pull pitches more often, he could produce 15 or more homers per season.”
Torres’ bat helped catapult Myrtle Beach to the Class-A Carolina League championship. That mature approach includes a solid eye, ability to slap to all fields, ability to drive balls to the gaps producing extra base hits, and will eventually realize a decent amount of power.
Gleyber will be a major leaguer, eventually. Whether his goal of making the league in four years will be realized or not, he is certainly talented on both sides of the game. While some question his range, through proper positioning it isn’t a ridiculous thought that he could be a major league shortstop. The biggest question with Gleyber is, will he make it while being a Cub? With Addison at SS, Happ looking to be the future 2B, and Kris Bryant not losing his job anytime soon, he just might be most valuable being traded to improve other hole on the team.
