Cubs 2014 OSFM

[natejelinek]

A potential- (my opinion)
Baez
Bryant
Almora
Soler
C.J. Edwards
Alcantara

Also, I think Baez, Bryant, Almora, and Soler should be low to mid 70's to begin with. Bryant will be up by the ASG

[Teigh Cubs Teigh]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I sure hope that your opinion is more correct than mine. If all of those guys turned into 95-99 Overall guys (in The Show speak) that would be incredible. Of those who you listed I would say:

Upper levels of A - A+: Baez

A: Bryant

B+ - A: Almora; Soler (with Soler slightly lower than Almora in my opinion based on Almora's advanced make up, higher floor, and some concerns of mine about Soler's maturity thanks to the bench-clearing, bat-wielding incident last year)

B - B+ CJ Edwards (though I think by the end of this year he may shoot up to an A-...I'm really high on him in the future even if I can't justify it quite yet. I think scouts way underrate him due to size concerns that I simply do not share)

Upper B but not quite "B +" Alcantara

Still very good and I really really love all of these guys and think that they all have a good chance to be well-above average contributors. As I said I think that I'm underselling Edwards right now, but I feel that that is necessary. The same can be said for Soler, I think he could really surprise me if he gets through a full season injury free.

[seanjeezy]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I think I like Bryant more than Baez at this point. Baez has more positional value (if he can stick at SS of course), but Bryant is much safer while having an equally high ceiling and I also think his bat will be better.

[metsfan4life1]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I think I like Bryant more than Baez at this point. Baez has more positional value (if he can stick at SS of course), but Bryant is much safer while having an equally high ceiling and I also think his bat will be better.

Do you know any mets fans on here who would be interested in helping with the Mets OSFM? I know you're big around here and especially with the OSFM set. Thanks

[Teigh Cubs Teigh]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I think I like Bryant more than Baez at this point. Baez has more positional value (if he can stick at SS of course), but Bryant is much safer while having an equally high ceiling and I also think his bat will be better.

I see your point and I kind of agree about Bryant being a safer bet as far as floor is concerned, but I still like Baez's bat more than Bryant's right now, but it is very much a coin-toss. I would not argue against anyone who says that Bryant's bat is better because they may very well be right. The main point is that both have the chance to be very elite bats which is great news for us Cubs fans.

In reality I think that any of the top three (in my opinion Almora, Baez, and Bryant...in alphabetical order there) could be strongly argued to be the best of the bunch and their order could be easily shuffled around. I could even stand to see Soler thrown into that mix though I personally see him as the clear number four of the "Big Four/ Core Four" of the Cubs. Then there is a slight dropoff where again I could see a strong case being made for either Edwards or Alcantara for the 5 and 6 spots.

This will be a fun list to see debated about due to the strength of the top guys and the great amount of depth below them (positionally at least). I can't wait to see what we finally come up with as the final potentials.

I'm going to start reading up on some prospect lists and whatnot soon (I've had some bookmarked for a while and just need to get around to diving in) so I hope that when the time for the thrust of the debate begins I can contribute at least to this side of the OSFM this year even if I don't trust myself enough to go too far into the actual creation.

[ilstu24]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

Bryant and Baez are bonfide A's
Almora/ Alcantara B+
Soler/Edwards B

[natejelinek]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I didn't really mean for those guys to all get A potential. Just listing the top prospects.

I'm more confident in Bryant than I am Baez. Baez is beginning to remind me a bit of Castro with a few of his "mental lapse" plays. He obviously has potential to be great. Bryant, on the other hand seems more ready for the bigs at this point. Which brings up another question: When will these guys be getting the call. Man, I love talking about these guys. Makes me excited to be a Cubs fan.

Soler seems pretty unpredictable. That bat indecent was interesting. Let's hope for the best.
Almora has the work ethic to be great and I think he'll turn out better than Soler.

There's a great chance at least 3 of these guys turn out to be all-stars. I can't wait.

Pitching is another issue though. I'm assuming we will spend our early picks in this years draft on pitchers. Forget his name but some 6'5" 250 monster is a target. I think we will be able to pick up pitching talent in free agency when we are ready to contend.

I'm seriously so excited. Being 16, I haven't fell the long pain of being a Cubs fan too long as you guys probably have. The time is near, the time is near

and I love playing the show with these guys while i wait.

[ilstu24]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I didn't really mean for those guys to all get A potential. Just listing the top prospects.

I'm more confident in Bryant than I am Baez. Baez is beginning to remind me a bit of Castro with a few of his "mental lapse" plays. He obviously has potential to be great. Bryant, on the other hand seems more ready for the bigs at this point. Which brings up another question: When will these guys be getting the call. Man, I love talking about these guys. Makes me excited to be a Cubs fan.

Soler seems pretty unpredictable. That bat indecent was interesting. Let's hope for the best.
Almora has the work ethic to be great and I think he'll turn out better than Soler.

There's a great chance at least 3 of these guys turn out to be all-stars. I can't wait.

Pitching is another issue though. I'm assuming we will spend our early picks in this years draft on pitchers. Forget his name but some 6'5" 250 monster is a target. I think we will be able to pick up pitching talent in free agency when we are ready to contend.

I'm seriously so excited. Being 16, I haven't fell the long pain of being a Cubs fan too long as you guys probably have. The time is near, the time is near

and I love playing the show with these guys while i wait.

Check out my latest roster I just uploaded. You will love it then.

[zack4070]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

Don't forget Kyle Hendricks. That guy was awesome last year splitting time between AA and AAA going 13-4 with a 2.00 ERA combined with a WHIP of 1.05, started 27 games last year while only walking 34 in 166 innings. I don't know why hes not on any of the top 100 lists but I think he should be. Should get called up before Edwards. I'd give him a steady B on potential. The guy seems legit with those numbers in high ball!!!

[MrOldboy]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I'm planning on working on OSFM again this year, at least on PS4 if the games aren't compatible roster wise. Any help would really be appreciated, especially on faces. I still haven't figured out how to replicate faces in the game. Last year this thread ended up helping out a lot as there are so many opinions on who should be included, ratings, etc its better to get as many of them as possible.

If anyone wants to work on the Cubs let me know as last year ended up being a lot more work than I expected.

[jseward92]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

Yeah what do you guys think of Kyle Hendricks? I would probably give him a B potential. He gives up some hits but he really doesn't walk anyone. I'd like to see him force the Cubs to either call him up early in the year or have a strong spring and make the club. Cubs just unofficially signed Hammel so that would likely give them the five starters. Obviously it's still early but we will see.

[assclown25]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

Yeah what do you guys think of Kyle Hendricks? I would probably give him a B potential. He gives up some hits but he really doesn't walk anyone. I'd like to see him force the Cubs to either call him up early in the year or have a strong spring and make the club. Cubs just unofficially signed Hammel so that would likely give them the five starters. Obviously it's still early but we will see.

Still see Shark being flipped sooner than later, team like Jays or Dbacks may get itchy trigger finger if Santana or Jiminez get signed quickly (Yankees and resign w/Cleveland). Cubs have 7 to 9 guts who could make rotation. Could you imagine the BIG 4 and than the pitching potential the Cubs would get in return for Shark if he's say traded to the Jays? Going Cubs way would be Stroman or Sanchez and than pick any Hutchinson, DeJong, Nolin, Norris etc.? Cubs minor league pitching wouldn't be that much of an eyesore anymore. Hendricks I'd give a B to B- doesn't have an overpowering arm. I see guys like Hendricks, Baez, Bryant and Alcantara all up by trade deadline

[Shaffer26]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

Bryant and Baez are bonfide A's
Almora/ Alcantara B+
Soler/Edwards B

Mostly agree with this, but switch Soler and Alcantara and you have my list. I just hope these guys pan out!

[Teigh Cubs Teigh]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

Still see Shark being flipped sooner than later, team like Jays or Dbacks may get itchy trigger finger if Santana or Jiminez get signed quickly (Yankees and resign w/Cleveland). Cubs have 7 to 9 guts who could make rotation. Could you imagine the BIG 4 and than the pitching potential the Cubs would get in return for Shark if he's say traded to the Jays? Going Cubs way would be Stroman or Sanchez and than pick any Hutchinson, DeJong, Nolin, Norris etc.? Cubs minor league pitching wouldn't be that much of an eyesore anymore. Hendricks I'd give a B to B- doesn't have an overpowering arm. I see guys like Hendricks, Baez, Bryant and Alcantara all up by trade deadline

Rumor has it the Cubs are holding out for Stroman and Sanchez...and then one of the others you mentioned. I love watching Jeff pitch, but I can't help but be excited by the potential players we could get. We got a lot of great talent for a few months of Garza. If we can get a haul equal to or (most likely) greater than that for 1 1/2 - 2 years of Samardzija I would be thrilled.

As for Hendricks I agree with a B- to B right now. Some of what I've read indicates he could be a B - B+ but I think for now it's best to be a little more cautiously pessimistic. I think he'll be a great back-end of the rotation guy for my Cubbies someday soon. I see his ceiling as a pretty good # 3 but odds are he's a solid 4/5 guy.

I must say that I am very impressed with our minor league pitching instructors and Bosio's work up at the major league level so hopefully we can get the most out of the pitching that we do have. Who knows, maybe by next year when putting together the OSFM we'll be talking about a handful of pitchers as B+ - A- ranges even without a Samardzija trade.

[MrOldboy]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

Given his stuff I can't see Hendricks making it past a B. I just don't see his ceiling being very high because he lacks the stuff to get away with mistakes often. I see an innings eater in him as he doesn't walk that many batters, even if he is hittable when he lacks his normal good control. Could end up being a good swingman type like Villanueva has become as well. Right now I'd put him at a B- since I see his future role being a 4/5 that can give you some innings, but nothing spectacular as he can be hit. As long as he keeps his walk rate down he should end up being a useful pitcher in the MLB, if he's given that chance.