Chicago Cubs: Top 22 Farm System Prospects

With a massive reshuffling of the front offices underway in Chicago, the Cubs fans might have reason to believe that their future is looking up.

You'd have to believe that the new management will be looking to make at least a couple of big name signings in free agency that could provide an immediate impact next spring.

Beyond that they'll also want to assess the state of the Cubs farm system.

A number of prospects are still in development in the minors but some will undoubtedly help out the club in the future, some sooner rather than later.

Jay Jackson

After being drafted in the ninth round of the 2008 draft, Jay Jackson had a great first two seasons in the system.

Going 12-9 with a sub 3.00 ERA in 2008 and 2009, Jackson has seemingly taken a step back with a 19-22 record and ERA hovering around 5.00 since then.

Still, he has the pitches in his arsenal to become a legitimate back end of the rotation starter once he puts everything together.

Trey McNutt

Trey McNutt was nearly the thousandth player taken in the 2009 draft, but has provided great overall results for a 32nd round pick.

With a strong fastball and good breaking ball, he could move into the Cubs bullpen at some point; with an eventual move to the rotation a possibility.

Brett Jackson

Widely considered to be one of the top prospects in the Cubs' system, Brett Jackson appears to be a very useful player anywhere in the outfield that he may end up.

In 115 games between AA and AAA in 2011, Jackson hit 20 home runs and maintained a .274 average while posting a .986 fielding percentage.

Zeke DeVoss

After a third round selection in this year's amateur draft, Zeke DeVoss immediately made an impact in rookie and Class-A ball.

He doesn't hit for much power, but batted over .300 and earned himself a .449 on-base percentage in the 42 games he played.

Daniel Vogelbach

Daniel Vogelbach didn't have much of a chance to show his value after being taken in the second round of this year's draft.

But the power hitting infielder is known as an effective slugger that could go deep at Wrigley quite often a few years down the road.

Chris Carpenter

Chris Carpenter was selected in the third round of the 2008 draft and has spent time all over the Cubs farm system since then.  He even made some appearances with the Cubs this September.

His ability to light up the radar gun is an appealing prospect to the Cubs, and while he struggles with his control at times he has the raw talent to make it in the majors.

Josh Vitters

When you're drafted third overall there are undoubtedly high expectations that can sometimes end up being unmatched.

Josh Vitters hasn't developed as quickly as the organization may have hoped, batting .277 in his five seasons in the Cubs farm system.

But he's still considered to be a viable member of the left side of the infield and if he can push himself to take his game to the next level he can eventually make an impact at the highest level.

Hayden Simpson

Hayden Simpson clearly disappointed the organization after being taken so high in the 2010 draft.

Last year's 16th overall selection went 1-10 with a plus 6.00 ERA in 27 starts this season between rookie ball and Class-A.

He's got the control to make it as a reliever in the league, but will need to show his worth over a long timeframe before the team will give him a realistic shot.

Rafael Dolis

Injuries have plagued Rafael Dolis' ascent in the Cubs system.

But since making the switch from infielder to pitcher he has shown that he could be a viable arm at some point.

His ability to induce ground balls from hitters and his control of pitches will likely be his most valuable weapons if he hopes to contend with other pitchers in the organization for playing time.

Ben Wells

Ben Wells possesses above average size for a pitcher and uses it to his advantage. At 6'4'' (and probably still growing) he posted a 4-4 record and 4.66 ERA in Class-A ball in 2011.

A strong slider and above average split-finger fastball accompany his mid-high 90s fastball and as he develops will only get better.

Dillon Maples

Dillon Maples was a 14th round selection by the Cubs this season, and he wasn't expected to sign with the team, as a football scholarship at UNC hung in the balance.

Time will tell as to what Maples produces for the organization, but many analysts are very high on what he has to offer.

Reggie Golden

Reggie Golden has yet to show his true potential as a professional ballplayer. He had an impressive stint in 2010 rookie ball when he had a few good games and batted over .300.

But he struggled a bit in 2011, batting .242 in 64 games with the class-A affiliate. His raw talent and power however make him a talent that can't be overlooked a few years down the road.

Robert Whitenack

Robert Whitenack boasts a plethora of pitches, having an effective fastball that may only end up in the low-mid 90s but has a great deal of movement.

His ability to throw his fastball and slider with great accuracy may afford him the opportunity to make the club out of spring training, although a mid-season appearance with the club is more likely.

Chris Rusin

If Chris Rusin has one thing going for him, it may very well be his control over his pitches. He walks less than two batters per nine innings and with a decent fastball has been able to strike out batters to the tune of seven batters per nine innings.

After going 5-2 in nine games after moving to class-AAA in 2011 he will no doubt head into 2012 with increased confidence.

Nick Struck

Nicholas Struck played in A, AA and AAA ball in 2011 and showed many signs of potential.

He struggled a bit in AAA, going 2-4 in 11 starts, but has a good amount of control and can go late into games.

Welington Castillo

Welington Castillo may have a future ahead of him as a major league catcher. Playing in limited games with the system (11 games since 2010) he's got a lot of development ahead of him but if he can develop on both the offensive side of the game as well as calling games, he could win favor of management and eventually make his way into Wrigley Field.

Scott Maine

After appearing in 20 games with the Cubs between 2010 and 2011 Scott Maine gave the organization a glimpse of what they may have down the road.

Maine struck out nearly 13 batters per nine innings in class-AAA in 2011.  With a decent amount of control, he could break into the 2012 Cubs squad with continued improvement between now and next Spring.

Matt Szczur

Matt Szczur has played 134 games with the Cubs organization since fully committing to baseball after dabbling in his future in football.

He's shown great speed and ability to get on base and a decent amount of power for the relatively small frame that he boasts.

Logan Watkins

Since joining the Cubs organization after being selected in the 21st round of the 2008 amateur draft, Logan Watkins has compiled a composite .287 average with 118 RBI in 342 games.

He's shown the ability to play all over the field and could at one point become a useful utility player at a higher level.

Javier Baez

After eventually signing with the Cubs having been selected ninth overall in this year's draft, Javier Baez played in just shy of 20 games between rookie ball and class-A.

He has great speed on the basepaths and his above average defense at multiple positions make him a player that can develop wherever the team needs him to play.

D.J. LeMahieu

D.J. LeMahieu had a very impressive season in 2011 between class-AA and AAA.

Batting .358 in 50 games with the class-AA club, he was moved to class-AAA and continued to produce with a .286 batting average.

He's a formidable player in the field and will hope to contend for a spot on the roster as spring rolls around.

Casey Coleman

Casey Coleman made 12 appearances with class-AAA in 2011, posting a 5-2 record and 3.65 ERA.

He doesn't have the power pitching that many hope to see out of prospects, but his relatively strong control will help the 24 year old continue to develop as he works towards reaching the Cubs.