Chicago Cubs: 5 Position Prospects Who Could Make an Impact in 2012

The Cubs roster is in a state of turnover, and what the team does in the following two offseasons with Theo Epstein at the helm will go a long way towards determining the future success of the organization

With 1B Carlos Pena, 3B Aramis Ramirez and RF Kosuke Fukudome gone for the 2012 season, CF Marlon Byrd likely to be traded at some point and C Geovany Soto in need of a bounce-back season if he wants to retain his starting job, the lineup has more questions than answers right now.

So here is a look at five prospects who could make an impact in the Cubs lineup in the 2012 season, whether it is straight out of spring training or at some point during the season.

IF D.J. LeMahieu

The 2012 free agent class of third basemen is a weak one, and there is no one on the market capable of replacing the sort of production that Aramis Ramirez put out this past year.

While Josh Vitters will likely be given at least a shot at the job this spring, if he is deemed unready it could be 23-year-old D.J. LeMahieu who takes over at the hot corner.

He does not have nearly the power of Ramirez or even Vitters, but LeMahieu has shown the ability to hit for a high average in the minors and plays solid enough defense that even if he is not named the starting third baseman he will likely make the opening day roster as a utility infielder.

3B/OF Josh Vitters

With longtime Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez heading for free agency and the starting right field spot also vacant, the team will have some decisions to make this offseason in two prime offensive spots.

While he may not be ready to start the season, top prospect Josh Vitters could make his big league debut at some point this season.

Originally drafted as a third baseman, Vitters is spending time in the outfield in the Arizona Fall League and could be given a shot this spring at a roster spot.

He is still just 21 years old, but is coming off a .283 BA, 14 HR, 81 RBI season which he reached Double-A. His stock has fallen a bit since he was taken third overall in the 2007 draft, but he could still be a big part of the team's future.

C Welington Castillo

Geovany Soto is still the starting catcher in Chicago, a position he has held with little competition from backup Koyie Hill the past few years.

However, Hill could be non-tendered this year as prospect Welington Castillo looks to be big league ready coming off of a season in which he hit .287 BA, 16 HR, 42 RBI and reached Triple-A.

With Soto coming off a poor season with a .228 batting average, he could be pushed by Castillo if he struggles again, and Soto projects as a non-tender candidate heading into 2013, his final year of arbitration, if he does not turn things around.

CF Brett Jackson

Brett Jackson is hands down the Cubs' top prospect right now, and after reaching Triple-A last season he is one step closer to roaming the outfield in Wrigley.

At the very least he is expected to take over the center field for the 2013 season when Marlon Byrd's contract expires. However, there is a good possibility that Byrd could be moved, and even if he isn't, there is also an opening in right field.

He will likely start the 2012 season in the minors, but he could be called up quickly if he gets off to a hot start, much like Starlin Castro was in 2010.

How much time he spends in the majors in 2012 remains to be seen, but once he reaches Chicago it will come with quite the buzz.

1B Bryan LaHair

Many expect the Cubs to make a serious run at Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder this offseason, and even more so with Theo Epstein as GM.

That could very well be the case, but the Cubs have an intriguing option in their own system in Minor League Player of the Year Bryan LaHair who hit .331 BA, 38 HR, 109 RBI at Triple-A this past season.

He played well in 20 late-season games with a line of .288 BA, two HR, six RBI, and if the team does not sign one of those superstars, there is a chance that the 28-year-old slugger could get the bulk of the at-bats at first base for 2012.