Baseball America's Top 30 Cubs' Prospects

Baseball America's 2009 Prospect Handbook made its way to the bookshelves last week. After spending the off-season tracking the different publications and their thoughts on the Cubs' minor league system, the industry standard put their final stamp on the top prospects of the Cubs' organization leading into Spring Training.

BA's Top 10 was released on Jan. 13th but the other 20 names are just as important as the first 10. For instance, Brandon Guyer has moved ahead of Tyler Colvin as the Cubs top outfield prospect according to Baseball America....and of the 30 players mentioned, 12 are pitchers and only four are outfielders.

Cubs Top 30 Prospects for 2009

1. Josh Vitters - 3B
2. Jeff Samardzija - RHP
3. Andrew Cashner - RHP
4. Dae-Eun Rhee - RHP
5. Welington Castillo - C
6. Kevin Hart - RHP
7. Starlin Castro - SS/2B
8. Ryan Flaherty - SS
9. Jay Jackson - RHP
10. Hak-Ju Lee - SS
11. Steve Clevenger - C/1B
12. Micah Hoffpauir - 1B/OF
13. Brandon Guyer - OF
14. Junior Lake - SS
15. Jovan Rosa - 3B/1B
16. Tyler Colvin - OF
17. Marcos Mateo - RHP
18. Chris Carpenter - RHP
19. Darwin Barney - SS
20. Marquez Smith - 3B/2B
21. Mitch Atkins - RHP
22. Esmailin Caridad - RHP
23. Tony Thomas - 2B
24. Jake Fox - 1B/OF
25. Ty Wright - OF
26. Blake Parker - RHP
27. Matt Cerda - C
28. Logan Watkins - 2B
29. Alex Maestri - RHP
30. Su-Min Jung - RHP

Several of the Cubs' top 30 prospects will be in big league camp this spring with either being on the Major League roster or as non-roster invitees.

Top Prospects on Cubs 2009 Spring Training Roster

• Mitch Atkins
• Esmailin Caridad
• Andrew Cashner
• Kevin Hart
• Marcos Mateo
• Jeff Samardzija
• Welington Castillo
• Steve Clevenger
• Darwin Barney
• Micah Hoffpauir
• Jake Fox

With the length of the exhibition season this spring, many of the Cubs' prospects will likely get the call to make the trip down the Center Street to participate in the Cactus League schedule....especially for away games.

The Cubs' farm system was ranked 27th for 2009.

More on the Cubs' Top Prospects

• January 23, 2009 - Cubs Propects....Vitters Top Minor League Third Baseman
• January 13, 2009 - Baseball America's Top Cubs Prospects for 2009
• December 23, 2008 - Another Look at the Cubs' Top Prospects of 2009
• November 30, 2008 - Minor League Ball's Top Cubs Prospects
• November 12, 2008 - Peavy and Prospects on the Brain