Re: Updated Rosters--- 2k12
I know the minor leagues aren't a big priority right now, but I thought I'd add some suggestions for top Cubs prospects that aren't in the game. These rankings are from Baseball Prospectus. (If you need help with the Cubs minors I am willing to help out. I provided totte with Cubs minor league info for a few years over at MVP Mods for his MVP 2005 updated rosters.)
Please let me know if you need more scouting report info on anyone. I didn't want to clutter the thread with Cub related minor league stuff if the main focus was current MLB rosters but just wanted to throw out some prospects to consider adding. Thanks!
1. OF Albert Almora
The Tools: Shows all five; plus projections on hit/power
Strengths: Well-rounded tool collection; feel for the game is outstanding and allows tools to play above grade; 5 arm; 5 run; 6 glove; future hit could be easy 6; excellent bat speed; gets into zone quickly and efficiently; power has above-average potential; shows advanced game skills; lauded for work ethic/makeup; now talent that could move fast.
Weaknesses: Range in CF is tied to read/react skills and instincts, not plus raw speed; lacks high-end physicality; lacks elite tools; upside isn’t as sexy as teammate Javier Baez; aggressive approach has yet to be tested; small professional sample
Overall Future Potential: 6; first-division starter
Explanation of Risk: Moderate risk; more polished than the average teenager; shows advanced feel and instincts for the game; high floor; respectable ceiling; most likely falls short of star status.
Fantasy Future: .290/.350/.450 from premium defensive position, with 10-15 home run pop, plenty of doubles, and a chance to steal 15-20 bases at a high success rate.
Major league ETA: 2016
2. SS Javier Baez
The Tools: Hit tool could be elite; easy plus-plus raw power; 7 arm
Strengths: Bat speed is off-the-charts; hands are incredible on both sides of the ball; electricity in the bat; very loud contact ability; hit tool could develop into monster status; raw power is at least a 7 and could end up playing that high at full maturity; arm is a 7; actions at shortstop are fluid and easy.
Weaknesses: Wild approach at the plate; swings with violent intensity; taking hacks is putting it mildly; will expand his zone and chase; pitch-recognition skills have been called into question; needs to slow the game down; overplays; range at shortstop only catalyst in down-the-line position change; fringe 5 runner at present who could end up a 4 at physical maturity
Overall Future Potential: 7; all-star level player
Explanation of Risk: Extreme risk; plays the game with reckless approach; needs to mature to reach potential; could be very special or very frustrating.
Fantasy Future: If everything clicks, Baez could hit for both a high average and high power (30-plus HR) from a position on the left side of the infield. He could be a monster.
Major league ETA: 2015
4. RHP Arodys Vizcaino
The Tools: Plus-plus fastball; plus curve
Strengths: Easy cheese from an explosive arm, working comfortably in the 92-95 range as a starter and touching the high-90s in bursts; very lively offering with good, late action; hard curve is another money pitch, with a tight rotation and two-plane movement; good control.
Weaknesses: Lacks size; when he slips under the ball, the lack of plane hurts him; more control than command; lives loose in the zone; changeup has more flash than fire; profiles as low-5 offering at best; injury history; delivery features some effort.
Overall Future Potential: 7; late-inning reliever (frontline setup).
Explanation of Risk: Extreme risk; injury history; likely to end up in bullpen.
Fantasy Future: Could be frontline setup arm in bullpen; closer for some teams; will miss bats in any role.
Major league ETA: 2011
7. RHP Pierce Johnson
The Tools: Plus fastball; plus potential curveball
Strengths: Good size and wiry strength; fastball works in the 90-93 range, but he can get more when he needs it; good angle to pitch; good sinking action; can get ahead with the pitch; curveball is hard breaker; 81-84 mph, with late break, good shape, and depth; deep arsenal; will also show a cut fastball and a changeup; knows how to miss bats.
Weaknesses: Hasn’t been able to stay healthy; delivery has some effort; deliberate with secondary arsenal; changeup is inconsistent; doesn’t play as average offering yet.
Overall Future Potential: High 5/Low 6; no. 3 starter at the major-league level
Explanation of Risk: High risk; injury history with the arm; behind the developmental curve.
Fantasy Future: Has bat-missing ability and a deep arsenal; has mid-rotation ceiling; body needs to prove it can hold innings, but should be able to produce good counting stats like wins/strikeouts if healthy and in a rotation.
Major league ETA: 2015
8. RHP Duane Underwood
The Tools: Easy plus velocity in fastball; plus potential curveball
Strengths: Huge arm strength; electric fastball that has the potential to be special; will work in the plus velocity range with some sink; has touched higher; arm is very fast; ball explodes from the release; it's easy velocity now and projects to work even higher; changeup shows some maturity for his age; plays well off fastball, with fastball arm speed and slot consistency; good action to the arm-side; plus athlete; curveball has plus potential
Weaknesses: Limited professional sample; arm works well, but low pickup and drag force it to go a long way; secondary arsenal is immature; delivery is athletic, but inconsistent, and control is below-average at present.
Overall Future Potential: High-6/low-7; no. 2 starter at the major-league level.
Explanation of Risk: Extreme; only 18-years-old; wide gap between present and future; ~10 professional innings under his belt.
Fantasy Future: Electric arsenal could produce high strikeouts totals; has the potential to be a 15-plus game winner (based on ultimate upside).
Major league ETA: 2017
9. 3B Christian Villanueva
The Tools: 7 glove; 6 arm; 5 power potential; big makeup
Strengths: Plus (to plus-plus) defensive profile, with an ultra-slick glove, strong arm, and solid range; excellent feel for the position; soft hands in the field; quick reactions; good instincts for the ball; fast hands at the plate; can square velocity and stay inside pitches; shows the ability to hit for some power; works the gaps; mature approach; isn’t fast, but runs the bases well and plays with intelligence; hard worker.
Weaknesses: Lacks typical offensive profile for third base; shows impressive bat speed, but overall hit tool utility is average at best; struggles against quality breaking stuff; power most likely limited to 10-15 home runs; body is physically mature and could lose a full speed grade if he adds bad weight.
Overall Future Potential: 5; solid-average regular at major-league level
Explanation of Risk: Moderate risk; mature player with mature skill-set; doesn’t need big grade jumps to compete.
Fantasy Future: Not an ideal offensive third baseman, but could hit .260-plus, with good secondary skills (on-base/power); can surprise people and swipe a few bases; plays defense at a very high level.
Major league ETA: 2014
10. RHP Dillon Maples
The Tools: Big arm strength; plus fastball/curveball potential.
Strengths: Plus-plus fastball potential; can work the pitch in the 92-96 range, and has touched higher; has good plane; pitches taller than 6’2’’; natural weight makes the ball difficult to lift; curveball is power breaker, thrown as hard as 82-84 mph, with 12/6 movement; projects as plus pitch; good overall athlete.
Weaknesses: Delivery isn’t fluid or repeatable; doesn’t finish; doesn’t make it look easy; command is well below-average; fastball velocity is inconsistent; changeup is still underdeveloped; limited on-the-field experience at the professional level
Overall Future Potential: High 6; no. 2/3 starter at the major-league level.
Explanation of Risk: Extreme risk; injury history; mechanical red flags; needs big grade jumps.
Fantasy Future: Has the potential to pitch in the middle of a major-league rotation, and maybe more if he reaches his ceiling. He will have the stuff to miss bats, and could emerge as a rotation horse if he can stay healthy and find arsenal maturity. High ceiling, but extremely high risk.
Major league ETA: 2017
Prospects on the Rise
RHP Juan Carlos Paniagua
SS/2B Marco Hernandez
3B Jeimer Candelario
Factors on the Farm (Prospects likely to contribute at the ML level in 2013)
RHP Tony Zych
I know the minor leagues aren't a big priority right now, but I thought I'd add some suggestions for top Cubs prospects that aren't in the game. These rankings are from Baseball Prospectus. (If you need help with the Cubs minors I am willing to help out. I provided totte with Cubs minor league info for a few years over at MVP Mods for his MVP 2005 updated rosters.)
Please let me know if you need more scouting report info on anyone. I didn't want to clutter the thread with Cub related minor league stuff if the main focus was current MLB rosters but just wanted to throw out some prospects to consider adding. Thanks!
1. OF Albert Almora
The Tools: Shows all five; plus projections on hit/power
Strengths: Well-rounded tool collection; feel for the game is outstanding and allows tools to play above grade; 5 arm; 5 run; 6 glove; future hit could be easy 6; excellent bat speed; gets into zone quickly and efficiently; power has above-average potential; shows advanced game skills; lauded for work ethic/makeup; now talent that could move fast.
Weaknesses: Range in CF is tied to read/react skills and instincts, not plus raw speed; lacks high-end physicality; lacks elite tools; upside isn’t as sexy as teammate Javier Baez; aggressive approach has yet to be tested; small professional sample
Overall Future Potential: 6; first-division starter
Explanation of Risk: Moderate risk; more polished than the average teenager; shows advanced feel and instincts for the game; high floor; respectable ceiling; most likely falls short of star status.
Fantasy Future: .290/.350/.450 from premium defensive position, with 10-15 home run pop, plenty of doubles, and a chance to steal 15-20 bases at a high success rate.
Major league ETA: 2016
2. SS Javier Baez
The Tools: Hit tool could be elite; easy plus-plus raw power; 7 arm
Strengths: Bat speed is off-the-charts; hands are incredible on both sides of the ball; electricity in the bat; very loud contact ability; hit tool could develop into monster status; raw power is at least a 7 and could end up playing that high at full maturity; arm is a 7; actions at shortstop are fluid and easy.
Weaknesses: Wild approach at the plate; swings with violent intensity; taking hacks is putting it mildly; will expand his zone and chase; pitch-recognition skills have been called into question; needs to slow the game down; overplays; range at shortstop only catalyst in down-the-line position change; fringe 5 runner at present who could end up a 4 at physical maturity
Overall Future Potential: 7; all-star level player
Explanation of Risk: Extreme risk; plays the game with reckless approach; needs to mature to reach potential; could be very special or very frustrating.
Fantasy Future: If everything clicks, Baez could hit for both a high average and high power (30-plus HR) from a position on the left side of the infield. He could be a monster.
Major league ETA: 2015
4. RHP Arodys Vizcaino
The Tools: Plus-plus fastball; plus curve
Strengths: Easy cheese from an explosive arm, working comfortably in the 92-95 range as a starter and touching the high-90s in bursts; very lively offering with good, late action; hard curve is another money pitch, with a tight rotation and two-plane movement; good control.
Weaknesses: Lacks size; when he slips under the ball, the lack of plane hurts him; more control than command; lives loose in the zone; changeup has more flash than fire; profiles as low-5 offering at best; injury history; delivery features some effort.
Overall Future Potential: 7; late-inning reliever (frontline setup).
Explanation of Risk: Extreme risk; injury history; likely to end up in bullpen.
Fantasy Future: Could be frontline setup arm in bullpen; closer for some teams; will miss bats in any role.
Major league ETA: 2011
7. RHP Pierce Johnson
The Tools: Plus fastball; plus potential curveball
Strengths: Good size and wiry strength; fastball works in the 90-93 range, but he can get more when he needs it; good angle to pitch; good sinking action; can get ahead with the pitch; curveball is hard breaker; 81-84 mph, with late break, good shape, and depth; deep arsenal; will also show a cut fastball and a changeup; knows how to miss bats.
Weaknesses: Hasn’t been able to stay healthy; delivery has some effort; deliberate with secondary arsenal; changeup is inconsistent; doesn’t play as average offering yet.
Overall Future Potential: High 5/Low 6; no. 3 starter at the major-league level
Explanation of Risk: High risk; injury history with the arm; behind the developmental curve.
Fantasy Future: Has bat-missing ability and a deep arsenal; has mid-rotation ceiling; body needs to prove it can hold innings, but should be able to produce good counting stats like wins/strikeouts if healthy and in a rotation.
Major league ETA: 2015
8. RHP Duane Underwood
The Tools: Easy plus velocity in fastball; plus potential curveball
Strengths: Huge arm strength; electric fastball that has the potential to be special; will work in the plus velocity range with some sink; has touched higher; arm is very fast; ball explodes from the release; it's easy velocity now and projects to work even higher; changeup shows some maturity for his age; plays well off fastball, with fastball arm speed and slot consistency; good action to the arm-side; plus athlete; curveball has plus potential
Weaknesses: Limited professional sample; arm works well, but low pickup and drag force it to go a long way; secondary arsenal is immature; delivery is athletic, but inconsistent, and control is below-average at present.
Overall Future Potential: High-6/low-7; no. 2 starter at the major-league level.
Explanation of Risk: Extreme; only 18-years-old; wide gap between present and future; ~10 professional innings under his belt.
Fantasy Future: Electric arsenal could produce high strikeouts totals; has the potential to be a 15-plus game winner (based on ultimate upside).
Major league ETA: 2017
9. 3B Christian Villanueva
The Tools: 7 glove; 6 arm; 5 power potential; big makeup
Strengths: Plus (to plus-plus) defensive profile, with an ultra-slick glove, strong arm, and solid range; excellent feel for the position; soft hands in the field; quick reactions; good instincts for the ball; fast hands at the plate; can square velocity and stay inside pitches; shows the ability to hit for some power; works the gaps; mature approach; isn’t fast, but runs the bases well and plays with intelligence; hard worker.
Weaknesses: Lacks typical offensive profile for third base; shows impressive bat speed, but overall hit tool utility is average at best; struggles against quality breaking stuff; power most likely limited to 10-15 home runs; body is physically mature and could lose a full speed grade if he adds bad weight.
Overall Future Potential: 5; solid-average regular at major-league level
Explanation of Risk: Moderate risk; mature player with mature skill-set; doesn’t need big grade jumps to compete.
Fantasy Future: Not an ideal offensive third baseman, but could hit .260-plus, with good secondary skills (on-base/power); can surprise people and swipe a few bases; plays defense at a very high level.
Major league ETA: 2014
10. RHP Dillon Maples
The Tools: Big arm strength; plus fastball/curveball potential.
Strengths: Plus-plus fastball potential; can work the pitch in the 92-96 range, and has touched higher; has good plane; pitches taller than 6’2’’; natural weight makes the ball difficult to lift; curveball is power breaker, thrown as hard as 82-84 mph, with 12/6 movement; projects as plus pitch; good overall athlete.
Weaknesses: Delivery isn’t fluid or repeatable; doesn’t finish; doesn’t make it look easy; command is well below-average; fastball velocity is inconsistent; changeup is still underdeveloped; limited on-the-field experience at the professional level
Overall Future Potential: High 6; no. 2/3 starter at the major-league level.
Explanation of Risk: Extreme risk; injury history; mechanical red flags; needs big grade jumps.
Fantasy Future: Has the potential to pitch in the middle of a major-league rotation, and maybe more if he reaches his ceiling. He will have the stuff to miss bats, and could emerge as a rotation horse if he can stay healthy and find arsenal maturity. High ceiling, but extremely high risk.
Major league ETA: 2017
Prospects on the Rise
RHP Juan Carlos Paniagua
SS/2B Marco Hernandez
3B Jeimer Candelario
Factors on the Farm (Prospects likely to contribute at the ML level in 2013)
RHP Tony Zych
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