Chicago Cubs Top-15 Prospects of 2010, No’s 6 – 15

ALSO SEE – Cubs Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

Grades are based on a prospect’s projected value over the course of his career and how likely it is that prospect will fulfill his projected value. Various factors are accounted for including upside, red flags, actual performance, and closeness to the majors. See the 2010 Prospect Primer for more information as it relates to prospect grading and philosophy.

Hitters must have 100 or fewer Major League ABs to qualify for this list. Starting pitchers must have 50 or fewer Major League innings to qualify for this list. Relief pitchers must have 25 or fewer Major League innings to qualify for this list. Ages are listed as of May 1st, 2010. Levels are based on the highest level in which a prospect played in 2009. All grades are subject to change based on any new information I receive before the season starts.

If you need to reach me in any way, please contact me via e-mail or post a comment at the bottom of the page and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. The first two prospects are available for everybody to read.

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Player Grades
Fastball – 65 Now | 65 Future
Slider – 50 | 55
Change-Up – 40 | 45
Control – 45 | 55
Command – 45 | 50
Pitchability – 50 | 55
ETA – 2011
Final Grade – B-

Body Type – Lean and athletic

Stuff

Fastball – As a starter, he sits between 92 – 96, while he can reach higher out of the bullpen…good life on the pitch and he uses it down in the zone primarily

Slider – A hard biting mid-80′s breaking ball that looks more like a curveball with some lateral movement

Change-Up – He has one, but he doesn’t throw it much

Scouting Report

Andrew Cashner is one of the more difficult prospects to rank. For a guy with such great stuff, he seems to get mediocre results. He does a decent job of keeping the ball on the ground and missing bats, but he doesn’t look like a ground ball or strikeout pitcher. He generally throws strikes, but he’s not always able to command his offerings well.

The Cubs hope to use Cashner as a starter, but many are skeptical he’ll be able to stick. He hasn’t proven he can go deep into games though he was partly constrained by an oblique injury early in the year. Cashner’s mechanics are sound, but he rushes through them at times.

Cashner will likely start the season in Triple-A Iowa and with a strong performance he could find himself in Chicago’s bullpen by the end of the year.

Best Case Outcome – Very good set up man out of the bullpen

More Likely Outcome – Middle reliever

Player Grades
Fastball – 60 Now | 60 Future
Slider – 50 | 50
Curveball – 50 | 55
Change-Up – 45 | 50
Control – 50 | 55
Command – 45 | 55
Pitchability – 55 | 55
ETA – 2011
Final Grade – B-

Body Type – Big, physical frame

Stuff

Fastball – Sits at 89 – 94, touching a bit higher with plus life, arm-side run and sink

Slider – When he’s able to stay on top of it, it has good depth and a sharp, late break…other times it will turn into something of a frisby slider

Curveball – Good, hard breaking ball in mid – upper 70′s with good snap

Change-Up – Inconsistent, but flashes average potential

Scouting Report

Chris Carpenter has been besieged by injuries his entire career. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2005 at Kent State, which was followed by more elbow surgery the next year. He also suffered from arm soreness in 2007. However, he’s been healthy ever since.

It was an interesting year for Carpenter. He was solid in Peoria, but didn’t do anything truly spectacular. After he was promoted to A+ Daytona, he really got going. He struck out 32.7% of the batters he faced, while walking just 8%. After he was promoted one more time, his numbers went back to what they were while at Peoria, albeit with better control.

The main improvement from Carpenter came from his overall command. He wasn’t commanding all his pitches that well early in the season. It’s difficult for Carpenter to command his stuff because there is so much movement and life on all his pitches. That movement and life also made it harder for hitters to center the ball against him.

The big question mark for Carpenter is whether he can continue to stay healthy. He’ll likely start 2010 in Triple-A Iowa.

Best Case Outcome – No. 3/4 starter

More Likely Outcome – Set up man out of the bullpen

Brief Summary on Prospects 8 – 14

8. Kyler Burke | OF | Grade – B- – A breakout season for Burke who has solid tools across the board

9. Ryan Flaherty | SS/2b | Grade – B-/C+ – A bit of a tweener, Flaherty does a bunch of things well, but nothing great…needs to make more contact

10. D.J. LeMahieu | 2b | Grade – B-/C+ – Pretty raw for a college player, LeMahieu needs to work on his approach and tap into some of his power potential

11. Dae-Eun Rhee | RHP | Grade – C+/B- – Very limited last year in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, 2010 is a chance to show everybody he’s full recovered

12. Logan Watkins | 2b | Grade – C+ – Does a lot of things well, but has little power…projects as a utility guy

13. Chris Huseby | RHP | Grade – C+ – Sleeper bullpen prospect misses bats and throw strikes

14. John Gaub | LHP | Grade – C+ – Big league ready left hander misses tons of bats, but has to throw more strikes

15. Chris Archer | RHP | Grade – C+ – Similar to Gaub, but he’s right handed, is not big league ready, and is currently being worked as a starter though he projects best out of the bullpen

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Other C+ Prospects

16. Darwin Barney | SS | Age – 24 – Not much of a bat, but quality glove could be a solid utility player

17. Trey McNutt | RHP | Age – 20 – Big arm strength guy could develop into a top relief prospect if he can improve his command and become more consistent with his breaking ball

18. Steve Clevenger | C | Age – 24 – Started hot, but struggled in Triple-A. Still, he’s an offensive catcher that can hit for average and he projects to be a solid back-up at the big league level

18. Jeff Antigua | LHP | Age – 19 – Young lefty doesn’t have great stuff, but profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter

19. Tyler Colvin | OF | Age – 24 – Not going to live up to 1st round pick billing, but could be a serviceable fourth outfielder…better when he’s hacking away than when he’s walking interestingly enough

20. Jeff Beliveau | LHP | Age – 23 – Big lefty does a great job of missing bats, but he needs to shore up his control

HONORABLE MENTIONS (in no particular order) – Brandon Guyer (CF) | Blake Parker (RHP) | Alex Maestri (RHP) | Ronny Morla (RHP) | Tony Thomas (2b) | Junior Lake (2b/SS) | Casey Coleman (RHP) | Austin Kirk (LHP) | Chris Rusin (LHP) | James Adduci (OF) | Brooks Raley (LHP) | Marcus Mateo (RHP) | Welington Castillo (C) | David Cales (RHP) | Jose Valdez (CF) | Robert Hernandez (RHP) | Matt Spencer (OF) | Robinson Chirino (C)

ALSO SEE – Chicago Cubs Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

UP NEXT – Cincinnati Reds Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

Other References and Resources Used for This Article – First Inning and Minor League Splits