Javier Baez, Jorge Soler Among Cubs' Top Prospects Looking to Get 'The Call'
Strangely, it has seemed in the past couple seasons that the Cubs' minor league system was of larger concern than their major league squad. For a team in the midst of a rebuild, fans have to find solace in something, and for Cubs fans there is plenty of solace to be found in their young budding stars.
While fans grow restless watching the major league club, they won't be able to help but wonder when things will be different. When that will be all depends on how their prospects progress, and many players in the Cubs' farm system are at different stages of development.
Here's a look at some of the Cubs' top prospects and just how far away they appear to be from getting the call-up to the major league squad. It may still be a couple of years until the Cubs are competing, but as prospects slowly begin to get called up, fans may realize that the future looks bright.
SS Javier Baez
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Shortstop prospect Javier Baez has followed a similar career path as current Cub shortstop Starlin Castro. Their defensive games are also very similar, and Baez, like Castro, draws a lot of criticism for it. Also similar to Castro, many attribute the defensive struggles to being able to get to some balls that others cannot and then throwing the ball away. The 20-year-old had 44 errors in the minor leagues last season.
That defensive play brings up the question of which position he will play in the pros. The answer to that question may also be the answer to how quickly he is called up. Thought to be capable of playing second or third base as well, Baez's timeline could be slightly moved up based on production at those two positions. Regardless, president Theo Epstein has always preached that the team won't rush any prospect for any reason, so Baez still might have to wait a while for the call.
CSN Chicago has suggested that Baez could be up as early as summer 2014. That would seem to be a little early given the current state of the team. With too many people to pass up at second or third base, it's more likely that Baez will be held off of the major league squad until Opening Day 2015. Depending on how much experience the front office wants him to get, he could easily be a September call-up.
Some scenarios exist that might get Baez to the major league team by the summer of 2014. One of those scenarios is if third base production is majorly down in the first few months of the season. Another would be if starting shortstop Starlin Castro goes down with injury. It's more likely that the front office would go with someone from the major league team to replace Castro, but if Baez is coming along, he's a possibility.
A final scenario would be if current second baseman Darwin Barney gets traded before the season. Barney, who batted just .208 last season, could be on the trade market, and if he's shipped off, it would give the Cubs less depth in the middle infield.
The 20-year-old has tremendous power, which he showed off in the minor leagues last season hitting .282 with 37 home runs and 111 RBI combined between Single-A and Double-A. That power display is likely to be unveiled at Wrigley Field starting in 2015.
The verdict: Opening Day 2015
Outfielder Jorge Soler
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Soler, whose imposing 6'3", 205-pound frame grouped with his unreal power have helped him draw comparisons to former Cub Sammy Sosa. Whenever a player draws comparisons to a player in the 600 home run club, that's pretty encouraging.
Last season majorly impeded the progress of the Cubs' young Cuban outfield prospect. His raw power was only put on display in 55 games due to a stress fracture in his shin last season at High-A. Grouping that with his 2012 minor league campaign, Soler has only played in 89 professional games in the states. That small sample size means that the Cubs are probably going to have to wait a little longer on Soler.
Soler's batting average and on-base percentage split of .281/.343 is pretty good, but he still needs to develop a better eye at the plate before he reaches the next level. For a major league team that doesn't see many pitches, plate discipline is a key for the Cubs' farm system.
Soler's power also wasn't on display as much as the club would like. He had just eight home runs in 237 plate appearances, according to Baseball Reference, which figures to be about 20 over the course of a full High-A season. The Cubs are expecting more of him.
Since the injury, there haven't been many reports on when to expect Soler in the majors, but even Opening Day 2015 would likely be a stretch. Unless he blows the competition away this year in Single-A and Double-A ball, there seems to be little chance Soler is up by Opening Day 2015 because of his major setback last season.
A more realistic expectation for Soler, if he gets back and stays on track, is to be up by summer 2015. A midseason call up worked out pretty well for his Cuban counterpart Yasiel Puig last season.
The verdict: Summer 2015
3B Kris Bryant
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In just a few months, Kris Bryant has won the Golden Spikes award for most outstanding college baseball player, been taken No. 2 overall in the MLB draft in June and won the Arizona Fall League MVP award. Bryant is the first player to win the AFL MVP award in the same season that he was drafted. That's just part of the reason that management is drooling over this third baseman.
The 6'5" Bryant is on the fast track to the major leagues. His case is majorly helped by the fact that he played three years of college ball before entering the pros. In his senior season for the University of San Diego, Bryant hit 31 home runs, which was 10 more than any other player in the NCAA.
For someone who practically played almost an entire year straight of baseball, Bryant doesn't seem to be missing a step. It is a long shot that Bryant would make the Opening Day 2014 roster, but the fact that he's even in the discussion at this point is impressive. Depending on how other prospects develop, Bryant could be asked to move to the outfield as well.
Much like Starlin Castro was a few years ago, Bryant may be a player that the team can't find an excuse to keep in the minors for long. If he continues to dominate his competition as he's done thus far, whether it be in the outfield or at third base, Bryant could be with the major league team by the summer of 2014.
The verdict: Summer 2014.
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2B Arismendy Alcantara
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Alcantara received considerable playing time last season at Double-A Tennessee, playing in 133 games. The second-base prospect produced, and showed multiple tools, as he hit 15 home runs, drove in 69 runs and stole 31 bases, according to Baseball-Reference. Although his batting average needs to improve (.272 including 125 strikeouts), Alcantara does draw walks, which has been a point of emphasis in the Cubs' farm system.
After being added to the 40-man roster earlier today, it's clear that Cubs management is high on this kid. After playing a full season at Double-A last season and producing, a step to Triple-A would make sense for Alcantara for the entirety of this season. The Cubs front office would be more than happy if he could get an entire year of Double-A ball and an entire year of Triple-A ball under his belt before joining the big leagues.
Especially if current second baseman Darwin Barney continues to struggle at the plate, Alcantara should be called upon in 2015. Everything depends on how other prospects develop, but if Alcantara can bring his average up and continue to steal bases consistently, he is a realistic option as the 2015 Opening Day second baseman for the Cubs.
The verdict: Opening Day 2015.
3B Mike Olt
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Olt, who along with pitcher C.J. Edwards was the cornerstone piece of the Cubs' deal with the Rangers for Matt Garza last season, was majorly hampered last season with an eye issue. The third baseman had blurry vision for most of last season and continued to play anyway. His numbers were majorly hurt by the eye injury and the buzz about the top prospect died down.
Despite the buzz dissipating, Olt is the most major league-ready prospect the Cubs have. He played in eight major-league games for the Rangers in 2012, so a call-up to the Cubs wouldn't be his first major league service. However, if he makes the Cubs' Opening Day 2014 roster, he will be playing in quite a few more than eight games. The team has Luis Valbuena as an option to play third base as well, but they know what they're getting with him.
Based on his development and his experience in Triple-A and minimal experience in the majors, it's Olt's job to lose during Spring Training. If Olt can manage to show some power and plate discipline in March, he could easily be the Cubs' Opening Day third baseman in April.
The verdict: Opening Day 2014.
Outfielder Albert Almora
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The only Cub prospect who could be described as a five-tool prospect, 2012 No. 6 overall pick Albert Almora is young, but approaching readiness for the major leagues. He played in just 61 games last season for High-A Kane County and had three home runs, 23 runs batted in and four steals while hitting for a .329 average.
Other than average, those numbers for Almora don't jump off of the page, but Almora played last season as a 19-year old. Whenever a player is that young, the growing process is going to be more exponential. That meaning, as soon as the development process begins to take flight, it really takes flight. For Almora, that might mean a season split between Single-A and Double-A this season with a chance for a call-up to Triple-A Iowa by the end of the year.
The key for Almora is to stay healthy so that he can get as many at-bats as possible. With more experience comes more chances for the young stud to prove himself. Both in size and tools, the Cubs' prospect is comparable to free-agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury. Without having to sign him to a huge contract, the Cubs may be able to have a player of Ellsbury's calibur right in their own farm system.
Due to the fact that he's so young and inexperienced, it's highly unlikely that Almora will see time in Chicago in 2014, but if he can gain some steam this season, 2015 isn't out of the question. Needing to gain more experience, the Cubs may find that they want him to get some Triple-A experience at the end of the 2014 campaign and carry that in to early 2015. That would mean that Almora should be ready by the summer of 2015.
The verdict: Summer 2015.
Starting Pitcher C.J. Edwards
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While most of the Cubs' young prospects are hitters, they also have a very exciting pitching prospect in 22-year old C.J. Edwards. One of the key pieces in the Matt Garza trade, Edwards put up some gaudy numbers in 2013.
Splitting time between Low-A ball for the Rangers and High-A ball for the Cubs, Edwards posted a 1.83 ERA in 116.1 IP to go along with 155 strikeouts and an 8-2 record. On top of that, Edwards has not given up a home run as a professional pitcher. Not one.
The 6'2" pitcher needs to fill out his 155-pound frame, but his stuff is clearly devastating. Featuring a four-seam fastball, curveball and change-up, Edwards strikes out hitters by changing their eye levels consistently. That recipe for success has paid off so far for the former 48th-round pick as he moves forward in his career.
It will still take some time for Edwards to grow into his frame and develop his arsenal of pitches, but if he can gain some experience over the next couple seasons, he could be ready to be a key piece to the Cubs' rotation. Unless he continues to dominate his entire way through the minor leagues within the next year to a year and a half, it's likely that Edwards could be helping the Cubs rotation in 2016, the first year that they figure to be serious playoff contenders.
The verdict: Opening Day 2016.
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