Once upon a time, the Cubs represented the gold standard of how to complete a rebuild. Now they’re sort of stuck in neutral—still a silver standard in how to compete year over year but not much of a threat to the Dodgers and Rays of the world. Where they go from here is unclear. They missed their window to sell high on Kris Bryant, an unforgettable misstep after they manipulated his service time badly enough to all but guarantee he’d never resign. They have him and Kimbrel on the books for one more year at an inflated rate, so it seems like they’re stuck on the tracks they’re straddling now, sliding their way into the decade with little idea of how the roster will look just three or four years from now.
Format: Position Player | Age on 4/1/2021 | Highest level played | ETA
1. OF Brennen Davis | 21 | A | 2022
Drafted in the second round of 2018, Davis bulked up a bit during his first off-season as a professional but maintained his plus-plus athleticism and found himself blasting opposite-field home runs and slashing .305/.381/.525 in the Midwest League, where he was 2.2 years younger than the average player. I think he’ll keep most of his speed as he grows into his man strength, and he’s already demonstrated an adeptness for minor adjustments to help get the barrel through the zone. I’m bullish on his future.
2. LHP Brailyn Marquez | 21 | MLB | 2020
Marquez has risen in most rankings thanks to his 102 mile per hour fastball from a three-quarters arm slot, but it will be his off-speed that ultimately determines whether his fate is front-end starter or back-end reliever. He’s currently featuring a changeup and hard slider, both of which pair well with his fastball. If he can locate them down and out of the zone, he’ll be a nightmare. I’d like to see him add a cutter and better repeat his delivery from a more stable base, but it feels like nit-picking to worry over these aspects of a young lefty with his arm talent.
3. SS Ed Howard | 19 | NA | 2024
At the 16th overall pick in the 2020 draft, Ed Howard represented a tremendous value for the Cubs. He was the top shortstop prospect in the group, and he figures to add skill with the bat as he gains pro reps thanks to his excellent hand-eye coordination, big frame (6’2” 185 lbs) and burgeoning strength.
4. C Miguel Amaya | 22 | A+ | 2021
Amaya played well in his last crack at game action during the 2019 Arizona Fall League, and it’s really anyone’s guess where he’ll open 2021 after spending this season at the training site. His full-season plate skill metics from high A in 2019 look strong (13.2 BB%; 16.8 K%). He’s long been regarded for his defense, and he’s got plenty of power to impact our game sooner than later if he gets that chance in a crowded catching crew.
5. RHP Cory Abbott | 25 | AA | 2021
I’m betting on Abbott in part because he kept improving throughout the 2019 season, rocking a 1.17 ERA and a 0.71 WHIP over his last nine starts. How’d he do it? Well he went to the lab with development coordinator Craig Breslow and found a plus cutter he could pitch off instead of his previously mediocre fastball. He also started spiking his curveball and saw instant results. I expected Abbott didn’t get some big league innings in 2020, but the team got great work from Alec Mills and didn’t really need him.
6. SS Yohendrick Pinango | 18 | R | 2024
Pinango hit .395 over his final month in 2019 at the Dominican Summer League he’d mastered. He stole ten bases, walked seven times and struck out seven times over that stretch and was poised to be a fast riser in 2020 thanks to that hit tool, speed and plate skills. He’s physically developed and strong enough to hit for power but needs reps to access it in game. Covid has kept a lot of talented youngsters under the radar, and I think Pinango will be a popular name in Cubs circles after 2021.
7. SS Rafael Morel | 19 | R | 2024
The only tool that’s not plus for Morel is raw power, but even that might wind up plus as he ages into his 5’11” frame (he’s listed at 165 lbs). He stole 23 bases and struck out just 14.2 percent of the time in 60 games in rookie ball and appears headed to the Midwest League in 2021, where he’ll be much younger than his average competitor.
8. RHP Adbert Alzolay | 26 | MLB | 2019
If 2020’s stretch run is any indication, Alzolay’s best self is a dynamite reliever with a nasty new slider that pairs well with a sinker he’s started using as his primary fastball. He might be higher on the list if I knew the Cubs were going to keep him in the bullpen, but I’m worried he’ll remain a back and forth, multi-inning type who struggles to find a role that can help us in fantasy. As is, he lacks the command to turn a lineup over multiple times.
9. SS Luis Verdugo | 20 | R | 2024
The last time we saw Luis Verdugo, he was embarrassing Arizona League pitchers to the tune of a .371/.410/.608 over the final month, hitting five homers and stealing six bags without getting caught. He was repeating that level, but his well-rounded skill set was clearly ready for the next challenge, and I’m excited to see how he handles the Midwest League in 2021.
10. C Ronnier Quintero | 17 | NA | 2025
The top earner from Chicago’s 2019 international class at 2.9 million dollars, Quintero is a plus power Venezuelan who does everything pretty well. The Cubs are kind of loaded at catcher throughout the organization, but the universal DH opens a path to anyone who can thump like Quintero.
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