Stock Up, Stock Down for Cubs Top 10 Prospects for Week 2
There's not much that can dampen the spirits of Chicago Cubs fans, but that's especially true in 2015. The Cubs top two prospects are finally in the majors, Wrigley Field is in the middle of a massive facelift and next year doesn't seem as farfetched as usual.
Even more exciting is that the Cubs have the best farm system in baseball, meaning that the future is even brighter than normal. It was virtually impossible to find a Cubs fan who was unaware of the impending arrival of top prospects Kris Bryant and Addison Russell, but there's even more to look forward to for the rest of 2015.
Two full weeks of the 2015 minor league season are in the books, so it's time to break down the stock of the Cubs top 10 prospects.
10. Jen-Ho Tseng, RHP, A-Advanced Myrtle Beach
1 of 102015 Stats:
1-0, 9.1 IP, 3.86 ERA, 10 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO
Overview:
Tseng only lasted 4.1 innings in his last start, giving up six hits and two earned runs. Both of those runs came in the first inning. He spent all of 2014 at Single-A Kane County, posting a 6-1 record and an impressive 2.40 ERA. His ERA is a bit high, but his strikeout-to-walk ratio speaks highly of his control this year.
Stock: Even
9. Pierce Johnson, RHP, Double-A Tennessee
2 of 10
Overview:
Pierce Johnson experienced a small setback after suffering a minor back injury this spring and was assigned to extended spring training. He was one of the first Cubs to be cut in March, but at only 23 years old and entering his fourth season in the minors, he's certainly still a promising young pitcher.
He may still be promoted if he shows progress and stays healthy throughout the year, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.
Though his spring training was short, he only allowed one hit in his four innings pitched. As long as Johnson can stay healthy and continue to progress, he may find himself in the majors in the near future.
Stock: Even
8. Billy McKinney, OF, A-Advanced Myrtle Beach
3 of 102015 Stats:
11-for-36, 1 2B, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 6 BB, .306/.419/.417
Overview:
Billy McKinney remains in A-Advanced to start 2015 and has played in 10 games thus far. His slash line is a solid .306/.419/.417, and he's only struck out four times.
McKinney also had a solid spring training with the Cubs, hitting .375 with two walks in 10 plate appearances.
Stock: Up
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7. Duane Underwood, RHP, A-Advanced Myrtle Beach
4 of 102015 Stats:
2-0, 11 IP, 0.82 ERA, 6 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 SO
Overview:
Duane Underwood has been nothing short of sensational this spring. Underwood took a no-hitter into the seventh inning in his last start, giving up just two hits the entire game.
Underwood is only 20 years old, and it won't be long before he earns himself a promotion at this point.
Stock: Up
6. Gleyber Torres, SS, Single-A South Bend
5 of 102015 Stats:
12-for-48, 1 2B, 7 RBI, 7 BB, 14 SO, .287/.378/.404
Overview:
Torres, who was signed as the No. 2 international prospect in 2013, has been on and off so far this season. Torres has 14 strikeouts in 48 at-bats, something that he needs to work on. However, his .287 career batting average in the minors is a good indication that he has the ability to pick it up again.
It's also his first season in Single-A, so Torres may need to make a few adjustments before he sees improvement.
Stock: Down
5. Albert Almora, OF, Double-A Tennessee
6 of 10
2015 Stats:
15-for-50, 3 2B, 6 RBI, 4 BB, 4 SO, .300/.339/.360
Overview:
Almora has struggled a bit to start the season, but he finally found his groove in a 7-1 victory on Saturday. The young outfielder went 5-for-5 with a stolen base and one RBI. It's a good indication of what he's capable of, though his defense is arguably an even better element of his game.
Almora went 0-for-3 in the subsequent game, but he has picked it up again with three hits in the last two games.
Stock: Up
4. Kyle Schwarber, C/OF, Double-A Tennessee
7 of 10
2015 Stats:
10-for-29, 1 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 10 BB, 9 SO, .345/.513/.517
Overview:
Schwarber has been on fire in his last two games, recording six hits and driving in two runs. His average has risen to an impressive .345, but his .513 on-base percentage is what truly stands out.
Schwarber has already been stolen on nine times, but he has thrown out three runners while behind the plate. However, his offense at the plate has been stellar.
Stock: Up
3. C.J. Edwards, RHP, Double-A Tennessee
8 of 102015 Stats:
0-1, 5.2 IP, 4.76 ERA, 5 H, 3 ER, 6 BB, 7 SO
Overview:
C.J. Edwards has struggled with his consistency in 2015, walking six batters in only 5.2 innings. However, he's been on when he's been on, striking out seven and holding hitters to only a .217 batting average.
Edwards was moved to the bullpen this year, meaning he may reach the majors sooner than he would have as a starter.
His WHIP is just under 2.00, something that is a bit of a concern for someone who only averages an inning and a half per outing.
Stock: Down
2. Addison Russell, SS
9 of 10
2015 Minor League Stats:
14-for-44, 4 2B, 1 HR, 1 BB, 7 SO, .318/.326/.477
Overview:
You don't need to be told that Addison Russell's stock is up. The Cubs did that for you.
Just hours after posting three hits on Monday, Russell got the call that he would be making his major league debut in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
Russell recorded his first hit on Wednesday and was in the lineup again for Thursday's series finale.
Stock: Up
1. Kris Bryant, 3B
10 of 10
2015 Major League Stats:
7 G, 9-for-25, 4 2B, 7 RBI, 7 BB, 8 SO, .360/.515/.520
Overview:
Though Bryant struggled in his debut, he has since picked up the pace and is playing well on both sides of the ball. He had some solid play at third base but started in center field for Thursday's game against the Pirates.
His plate patience, solid defense and versatility in the field are all positive signs for the Cubs.
Stock: Up
Jason S. Parini covers the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter.
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