Top Prospect Run Down: Chicago Cubs Edition

Part One of my inside look at your favorite team's top prospects.

We're starting out with my favorite team, the Chicago Cubs.

#1. Josh Vitters 3B

Strength: Hitting

Weakness: Defense

Josh Vitters was the third overall pick in the 2007 MLB Draft. Vitters' strength is definitely his hitting skills—he is a very polished hitter, and has the ability to hit for both power and average effectively. Vitters is not very fast and is not a very good defender at 3B, but that could always translate into a move to a corner outfield spot. All in all, his ability to hit should bring him up through the minors fairly quickly.

#2 Geovany Soto C

Strength: Good, patient hitter

Weakness: Likes to hit for power

Geovany Soto is the new catcher for the Chicago Cubs in 2008, but he is still considered a rookie. Soto is a good hitter to all fields, hits for power, and calls a good game. Soto played 110 games with the Iowa Cubs (triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs), and ended the season with a .353 batting average, 26 home runs, 109 RBIs, 53 walks, .424 OBP, and a 1.076 OPS.

Soto does strike out a lot. He K'd 94 times last year, that is why his eagerness to hit for power is a weakness. Once Soto hits the majors, he should rank among the top catchers in the National League.

#3 Tyler Colvin CF

Strength: Hitting for average

Weakness: Felix Pie 

Another Cubs first-rounder has made the list—Tyler Colvin, who was the 13th pick in the 2006 MLB Draft.

Colvin has a great ability to hit for average and is developing his ability to hit for power. He is solid defensively but isn't anything special with the glove. Colvin's speed is above average—he has the ability to stretch a hit into the gap, but is not a huge threat to steal. The only thing that is keeping Colvin out of the majors is Felix Pie.

#4 Sean Gallagher P

Strength: Smart pitching

Weakness: His stuff isn't that great

Sean Gallagher, drafted in the 12th round of the 2004 MLB Draft, is taking advantage of every opportunity he gets. Gallagher knows how to pitch, he mixes his pitches well, effectively changes speeds, and is not afraid to pitch inside. But Gallagher does not have over-powering heat or breaking pitches. Only his sinker and his curve rank above average.

#5 Jose Ceda P

Strength: Fastball

Weakness: Control

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