Baseball America Cubs Prospect Rankings
The Cubs' Top 10 prospects year-by-year according to Baseball America.
2023
- Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF
- Brennen Davis, OF
- Kevin Alcantara, OF
- Matt Mervis, 1B
- Cade Horton, RHP
- Ben Brown, RHP
- Cristian Hernandez, SS
- Hayden Wesneski, RHP
- Miguel Amaya, C
- Caleb Kilian, RHP
Source: Baseball America
2022
- Brennen Davis, OF
- Cristian Hernandez, SS
- Brailyn Marquez, LHP
- Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF
- Jordan Wicks, LHP
- Kevin Alcantara, OF
- Caleb Kilian, RHP
- Owen Caissie, OF
- D. J. Herz, LHP
- Yohendrick Pinango, OF
Source: Baseball America
2021
- Brailyn Marquez, LHP
- Brennen Davis, OF
- Miguel Amaya, C
- Ed Howard IV, SS
- Adbert Alzolay, RHP
- Kohl Franklin, RHP
- Ryan Jensen, RHP
- Christopher Morel, 3B
- Chase Strumpf, 2B
- Riley Thompson, RHP
Source: Baseball America
2020
- Brailyn Marquez, LHP
- Nico Hoerner, INF
- Brennen Davis, OF
- Miguel Amaya, C
- Chase Strumpf, 2B
- Cole Roederer, OF
- Ryan Jensen, RHP
- Ethan Hearn, C
- Riley Thompson, RHP
- Cory Abbott, RHP
Source: Baseball America
2019
- Nico Hoerner, SS
- Miguel Amaya, C
- Brailyn Marquez, LHP
- Cole Roederer, OF
- Brennen Davis, OF
- Adbert Alzolay, RHP
- Paul Richan, RHP
- Cory Abbott, RHP
- Justin Steele, LHP
- Aramis Ademan, SS
Source: Baseball America
2018
- Aramis Ademan, SS
- Adbert Alzolay, RHP
- Jose Albertos, RHP
- Victor Caratini, C-1B
- Alex Lange, RHP
- Oscar de la Cruz, RHP
- Brendon Little, LHP
- Thomas Hatch, RHP
- Jen-Ho Tseng, RHP
- Nelson Velazquez, OF
Source: Baseball America
2017
- Eloy Jimenez, OF
- Ian Happ, IF-OF
- Albert Almora Jr, OF
- Dylan Cease, RHP
- Oscar de la Cruz, RHP
- Mark Zagunis, OF
- Jeimer Candelario, 3B
- Trevor Clifton, RHP
- D. J. Wilson, OF
- Jose Albertos, RHP
Source: Baseball America
2016
- Gleyber Torres, SS
- Wilson Contreras, C
- Ian Happ, OF
- Duane Underwood, RHP
- Dylan Cease, RHP
- Albert Almora, OF
- Billy McKinney, OF
- Oscar de la Cruz, RHP
- Eloy Jimenez, OF
- Jeimer Candelario, 3B
Source: Baseball America
2015
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jorge Soler, OF
- Kyle Schwarber, C
- C.J. Edwards, RHP
- Billy McKinney, OF
- Albert Almora, OF
- Gleyber Torres, SS
- Pierce Johnson, RHP
- Duane Underwood, RHP
Source: Baseball America
2014
- Javier Baez, SS
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Carl Edwards, RHP
- Albert Almora, CF
- Jorge Soler, RF
- Pierce Johnson, RHP
- Arismendy Alcantara, SS
- Jeimer Candelario, 3B
- Dan Vogelbach, 1B
- Arodys Vizcaino, RHP
Source: Baseball Amercica
2013
- Javier Baez, SS
- Albert Almora, OF
- Jorge Soler, OF
- Aroldys Vizcaino, RHP
- Brett Jackson, OF
- Pierce Johnson, RHP
- Dan Vogelbach, 1B
- Jeimar Candelario, 3B
- Kyuji Fujikawa, RHP
- Arismendy Alcantara, SS
Source: Baseball America
2012
- Brett Jackson, OF
- Javier Baez, SS
- Matt Szczur, OF
- Trey McNutt, RHP
- Dillon Maples, RHP
- Welington Castillo, C
- Rafael Dolis, RHP
- Junior Lake, SS
- Josh Vitters, 3B
- Dan Vogelbach, 1B
Source: Baseball America
2011
- Chris Archer, RHP
- Brett Jackson, OF
- Trey McNutt, RHP
- Hak-Ju Lee, SS
- Josh Vitters, 3B
- Chris Carpenter, RHP
- Matt Szczur, OF
- Hayden Simpson, RHP
- Rafael Dolis, RHP
- Brandon Guyer, OF
Source: Baseball America
2010
- Starlin Castro, SS
- Brett Jackson, OF
- Josh Vitters, 3B
- Andrew Cashner, RHP
- Jay Jackson, RHP
- Hak-Ju Lee, SS
- Logan Watkins, 2B
- Chris Carpenter, RHP
- Ryan Flaherty, 2B
- D.J. LeMahieu, SS
Source: Baseball America
2009
- Josh Vitters, 3B
- Jeff Samardzija, RHP
- Andrew Cashner, RHP
- Dae-Eun Rhee, RHP
- Welington Castillo, C
- Kevin Hart, RHP
- Starlin Castro, SS
- Ryan Flaherty, SS
- Jay Jackson, RHP
- Hak-Ju Lee, SS
Source: Baseball America
2008
- Josh Vitters, 3B
- Geovany Soto, C
- Tyler Colvin, OF
- Jose Ceda, RHP
- Sean Gallagher, RHP
- Donald Veal, LHP
- Josh Donaldson, C
- Jeff Samardzija, RHP
- Tony Thomas, 2B
- Kevin Hart, RHP
Source: Baseball America
2007
- Felix Pie, OF
- Donald Veal, LHP
- Jeff Samardzija, RHP
- Tyler Colvin, OF
- Sean Gallagher, RHP
- Eric Patterson, 2B
- Scott Moore, 3B
- Ryan Harvey, OF
- Chris Huseby, RHP
- Mark Pawelek, LHP
Source: Baseball America
2006
- Felix Pie, OF
- Mark Pawelek, LHP
- Ronny Cedeno, SS
- Angel Guzman, RHP
- Rich Hill, LHP
- Sean Marshall, LHP
- Ricky Nolasco, RHP
- Ryan Harvey, OF
- Brian Dopirak, 1B
- Eric Patterson, 2B
Source: Baseball America
2005
- Brian Dopirak, 1B
- Felix Pie, OF
- Ryan Harvey, OF
- Angel Guzman, RHP
- Billy Petrick, RHP
- Renyel Pinto, LHP
- Sean Marshall, LHP
- Jon Leicester, RHP
- Grant Johnson, RHP
- Jason Dubois, OF
Source: Baseball America
2004
- Angel Guzman, RHP
- Justin Jones, LHP
- Ryan Harvey, OF
- Andy Sisco, LHP
- Felix Pie, OF
- Bobby Brownlie, RHP
- Chadd Blasko, RHP
- Brendan Harris, 3B
- David Kelton, OF
- Jae-kuk Ryu, RHP
Source: Baseball America
2003
- Hee Seop Choi, 1B
- Angel Guzman, RHP
- Andy Sisco, LHP
- Felix Pie, OF
- Nic Jackson, OF
- Francis Beltran, RHP
- Luke Hagerty, LHP
- Brendan Harris, 3B
- David Kelton, 1B
- Todd Wellemeyer, RHP
Source: Baseball America
2002
- Mark Prior, RHP
- Juan Cruz, RHP
- Hee Seop Choi, 1B
- David Kelton, 3B
- Bobby Hill, 2B
- Carlos Zambrano, RHP
- Nic Jackson, OF
- Ben Christensen, RHP
- Scott Chiasson, RHP
- Luis Montanez, SS
Source: Baseball America
2001
- Corey Patterson, OF
- Juan Cruz, RHP
- Hee Seop Choi, 1B
- Ben Christensen, RHP
- Carlos Zambrano, RHP
- Luis Montanez, SS
- David Kelton, 3B
- Bobby Hill, 2B
- John Webb, RHP
- Nate Frese, SS
Source: Baseball America
2000
- Corey Patterson, OF
- Hee Seop Choi, 1B
- Carlos Zambrano, RHP
- Ruben Quevedo, RHP
- Ben Christensen, RHP
- Jeff Goldbach, C
- Mike Meyers, RHP
- David Kelton, 3B
- Scott Downs, LHP
- Eric Hinske, 3B
Source: Baseball America
1999
- Corey Patterson, OF
- Kyle Farnsworth, RHP
- Chris Gissell, RHP
- Jaisen Randolph, OF
- Jose Nieves, SS
- Kyle Lohse, RHP
- Pat Cline, C
- Phil Norton, LHP
- Brian McNichol, LHP
- David Kelton, 3B
Source: Baseball America
1998
- Kerry Wood, RHP
- Todd Noel, RHP
- Pat Cline, C
- Jon Garland, RHP
- Chris Gissell, RHP
- Jason Smith, SS
- Courtney Duncan, RHP
- Dennis Abreu, SS
- Brad Ramsey, C
- Chad Meyers, 2B
Source: Baseball America
1997
- Kerry Wood, RHP
- Kevin Orie, 3B
- Pat Cline, C
- Jeremi Gonzalez, RHP
- Chris Gissell, RHP
- Quincy Carter, OF
- Brooks Kieschnick, OF
- Steve Rain, RHP
- Todd Noel, RHP
- Kyle Farnsworth, RHP
Source: Baseball America
1996
- Brooks Kieschnick, OF
- Kerry Wood, RHP
- Terry Adams, RHP
- Amaury Telemaco, RHP
- Pat Cline, C
- Jason Ryan, RHP
- Brian Stephenson, RHP
- Wade Walker, LHP
- Kevin Orie, 3B
- Robin Jennings, OF
Source: Baseball America
1995
- Brooks Kieschnick, OF
- Amaury Telemaco, RHP
- Kevin Orie, 3B
- Derek Wallace, RHP
- Jayson Peterson, RHP
- Mike Hubbard, C
- Javier Martinez, RHP
- Jason Ryan, RHP
- Doug Glanville, OF
- Brian Stephenson, RHP
Source: Baseball America
1994
- Brooks Kieschnick, OF
- Brant Brown, 1B
- Derek Wallace, RHP
- Kevin Orie, SS
- Steve Trachsel, RHP
- Jon Ratliff, RHP
- Doug Glanville, OF
- Amaury Telemaco, RHP
- Matt Franco, 1B
- Hector Trinidad, RHP
Source: Baseball America
1993
- Jessie Hollins, RHP
- Steve Trachsel, RHP
- Derek Wallace, RHP
- Kevin Roberson, OF
- Dave Stevens, RHP
- Doug Glanville, OF
- Jose Viera, 3B
- Matt Walbeck, C
- Brant Brown, 1B
- Ozzie Timmons, OF
Source: Baseball America
1992
- Lance Dickson, LHP
- Pedro Castellano, 3B
- Ryan Hawblitzel, RHP
- Gary Scott, 3B
- Doug Glanville, OF
- Tim Parker, RHP
- Earl Cunningham, OF
- Elvin Paulino, 3B
- Turk Wendell, RHP
- Phil Dauphin, OF
Source: Baseball America
1991
- Lance Dickson, LHP
- Gary Scott, 3B
- Earl Cunningham, OF
- Jose Viera, 3B
- Jesse Hollins, RHP
- Sam Cheetham, RHP
- Rick Wilkins, C
- Pedro Castellano, 3B
- Paul Torres, OF
- Alex Arias, SS
Source: Baseball America
1990
- Mike Harkey, RHP
- Rick Wilkins, C
- Ty Griffin, 2B
- Earl Cunningham, OF
- Shawn Boskie, RHP
- Pedro Castellano, 3B
- Greg Smith, 2B
- Derrick May, OF
- Gary Scott, 3B
- Alex Arias, SS
Source: Baseball America
1989
- Mike Harkey, RHP
- Jerome Walton, OF
- Ty Griffin, 2B
- Rick Wilkins, C
- Frank Castillo, RHP
- Shawn Boskie, RHP
- Joe Girardi, C
- Dwight Smith, OF
- Roberto Smalls, RHP
- Derrick May, OF
Source: Baseball America
1988
- Mark Grace, 1B
- Mike Harkey, RHP
- RicK Wilkins, C
- Dave Masters, RHP
- Dwight Smith, OF
- Joe Girardi, C
- Pat Gomez, LHP
- Leonard Damian, RHP
- Jerome Walton, OF
- Doug Dascenzo, OF
Source: Baseball America
1987
- Rafael Palmeiro, OF
- Drew Hall, LHP
- Dave Martinez, OF
- Carl Hamilton, LHP
- Greg Maddux, RHP
- Mark Grace, 1B
- Dwight Smith, OF
- Leonard Damian, RHP
- Mike Brumley, SS
- Doug Dascenzo, OF
Source: Baseball America
1986
- Carl Hamilton, LHP
- Billy Hatcher, OF
- Mike Brumley, SS
- Gary Parmenter, RHP
- Drew Hall, LHP
- Rafael Palmeiro, OF
- Greg Maddux, RHP
- Dave Martinez, OF
- Damon Berryhill, C
- Jackie Davidson, RHP
Source: Baseball America
1985
- Shawon Dunston, SS
- Billy Hatcher, OF
- John Abrego, RHP
- Tony Woods, 3B
- Greg Maddux, RHP
- Damon Berryhill, C
- Drew Hall, LHP
- Darrin Jackson, OF
- Bill Johnson, RHP
- Mike Brumley, SS
Source: Baseball America
1984
- Shawon Dunston, SS
- Joe Carter, OF
- Billy Hatcher, OF
- Jackie Davidson, RHP
- Tony Woods, 3B
- Stan Boderick, OF
- Don Schulze, RHP
- Dave Owen, SS
- Stan Kyles, RHP
- Henry Cotto, OF
Source: Baseball America
1983
- Shawon Dunston, SS
- Joe Carter, OF
- Vance Lovelace, LHP
- Mel Hall, OF
- Pat Tabler, 2B
- Stan Boderick, OF
- Geoff Doggett, OF
- Craig Lefferts, LHP
- Carmelo Martinez, 1B
- Don Schulze, RHP
Source: Baseball America
Recent comments
crunch (view)
SF snags b.snell...2/62m
Cubster (view)
AZ Phil: THAT is an awesome report worth multiple thanks. I’m sure it will be worth reposting in an “I told you so” in about 2-3 years.
Arizona Phil (view)
The actual deadline to select a post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agent signed to 2024 minor league contract (Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta) to the MLB 40-man roster is not MLB Opening Day, it is 12 PM (Eastern) this coming Sunday (3/24).
However, the Cubs could notify the player prior to the deadline that the player is not going to get added to the 40 on Sunday, which would allow the player to opt out early. Otherwise the player can opt out anytime after the Sunday deadline (if he was not added to the 40 by that time).
Arizona Phil (view)
Today is an off day for both the Cubs MLB players and the Cubs minor league players.
Arizona Phil (view)
For those of you keeping track, so far nine players have been called up to Mesa from the Cubs Dominican Academy for Minor League Camp and they will be playing in the ACL in 2024:
* bats or throws left
Angel Cepeda, INF
* Miguel Cruz, P
Yidel Diaz, C
* Albert Gutierrez, 1B
Fraiman Marte, P
Francis Reynoso, P (ex-1B)
Derniche Valdez, INF
Edward Vargas, OF
Jeral Vizcaino, P
And once again, despite what you might read at Baseball Reference and at milb.com, Albert Gutierrez is absolutely positively a left-handed hitter (only), NOT a right-handed hitter.
Probably not too surprisingly, D. Valdez was the Cubs #1 prospect in the DSL last season, Cepeda was the DSL Cubs best all-around SS prospect not named Derniche Valdez, Gutierrez was the DSL Cubs top power hitting prospect not named Derniche Valdez, E. Vargas was the DSL Cubs top outfield prospect (and Cepeda and E. Vargas were also the DSL Cubs top two hitting prospects), Y. Diaz was the DSL Cubs top catching prospect, and M. Cruz was the DSL Cubs top pitching prospect.
F. Marte (ex-STL) and J. Vizcaino (ex-MIL) are older pitchers (both are 22) who were signed by the Cubs after being released by other organizations and then had really good years working out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the DSL last season.
The elephant in the room is 21-year old Francis Reynoso, a big dude (6'5) who was a position player (1B) at the Cardinals Dominican Academy for a couple of years, then was released by STL in 2022, and then signed by the Cubs and converted to a RHP at the Cubs Dominican Academy (and he projects as a high-velo "high-leverage" RP in the states). He had a monster year for the DSL Cubs last season (his first year as a pitcher).
Arizona Phil (view)
DJL: The only players who definitely have opt outs are Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta (Opening Day, 5/1, and 6/1), and that's because they are post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agents who signed 2024 minor league contracts and (by rule) they get those opt outs automatically.
Otherwise, any player signed to a 2024 minor league contract - MIGHT or - MIGHT NOT - have an opt out in their contract, but it is an individual thing, and if there are contractual opt outs the opt out(s) might not necessarily be Opening Day. It could be 5/1, or 6/1, or 7/1 (TBD).
Because of their extensive pro experience, the players who most-likely have contractual opt outs are Alfaro, Escobar, and D. Smith, but (again), not necessarily Opening Day.
Also, just because a player has the right to opt out doesn't mean he will.
Dolorous Jon Lester (view)
I love the idea that Madrigal heads to Iowa in case Morel can’t handle third.
The one point that intrigues me here is Cooper over Smith. I feel like the Cubs really like Smith and don’t want to lose him. Could be wrong. He def seems like an opt out if he misses the opening day roster
Arizona Phil (view)
Childersb3: Both Madrigal and Wisdom can be optioned without any restriction. Their consent is not required.
They both can be outrighted without restriction, too (presuming the player is not claimed off waivers), but if outrighted they can choose to elect free agency (immediately, or deferred until after the end of the MLB season).
If the player is outrighted and elects free-agency immediately he forfeits what remains of his salary.
If he accepts the assignment and defers free agency until after the conclusion of the season, he continues to get his salary, and he could be added back to the 40 anytime prior to becoming a free-agent (club option).
Childersb3 (view)
Phil,
Madrigal and Wisdom can or cannot refuse being optioned to the Minors?
If they can refuse it, wouldn't they elect to leave the Cubs org?
Arizona Phil (view)
In my opinion, the biggest "affirmative" mistake the Cubs made in the off-season (that is, doing something they should not have done), was blowing $9M in 2024 AAV on Hector Neris. What the Cubs actually need is an alternate closer to be in the pen and available to close if Alzolay pitched the day before (David Robertson would have been perfect), because with his forearm issue last September, I would be VERY wary of over-using Alzolay. I'm not even sure I would pitch him two days in a row!
And of course what the Cubs REALLY need is a second TOR SP to pair with Justin Steele. That's where the Cubs are going to need to be willing to package prospects (like the Padres did to acquire Dylan Cease, the Orioles did to acquire Corbin Burnes, and the Dodgers did to acquire Tyler Glasnow). Obviously those ships have sailed, but I would say right now the Cubs need to look very hard at trying to acquire LHSP Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins (and maybe LHP A. J. Puk as well).