Monthly Archives: February 2012

MLB.com no. 2 Cubs Prospect Brett Jackson with Tennessee in 2010. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network

On Wednesday, MLB.com released its list of Top 20 2012 Prospects for each major league organization, including the parent club of the Tennessee Smokies, the Chicago Cubs.

On the list of Top 20 Cubs prospects, seven played with Tennessee in 2011, with several players also seeing action with the Smokies in 2010.

Here is the full list of Top 20 Cubs prospects by MLB.com, which you can find here online. Below, we’ve posted the scouting report from MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo on all seven former Tennessee Smokies in italics. While seven former Smokies mark this list, it is important to remember that many players on this list will find their way to Tennessee in the next several years as they climb up the organizational ladder.

Also, here is an article from MLB.com’s Ismail Soyugenc as he takes a deeper look at the Cubs farm system entering 2012.

For a full report as well as career statistics and video for all of these players, be sure to visit Mayo’s list of Top Cubs Prospects.

1. Anthony Rizzo
2. Brett Jackson
3. Javier Baez
4. Matt Szczur
5. Chris Carpenter
6. Dillon Maples
7. Trey McNutt
8. Rafael Dolis
9. Robert Whitenack
10. Reggie Golden
11. Junior Lake
12. Josh Vitters
13. Ronald Torreyes
14. Ben Wells
15. Dan Vogelbach
16. Jeimer Candelario
17. Gioskar Amaya
18. Marco Hernandez
19. Dave Sappelt
20. Pin-Chieh Chen

Brett Jackson with Tennessee in 2011. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

2. Brett Jackson

It’s hard to imagine a 20-20 player being undervalued, but because none of Jackson’s individual tools grade out as plus, he might. He hit better after he was promoted to Triple-A in 2011, always a good sign. His strikeout rate concerns some, but he also draws walks and his power-speed combination should play just fine at the highest level. He can play all three outfield spots, something that should allow him to reach Chicago at some point in 2012.

Chris Carpenter with Tennessee in 2011. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

5. Chris Carpenter

After three years as a starter in the Cubs’ system, he opened eyes when he hit triple digits pitching in relief in the Arizona Fall League in 2010, and he stayed in that role in 2011, making his Major League debut last June. The life on his fastball has long been a blessing and a curse, as he’s struggled with control and command, walking 84 batters over the past two seasons. He pitched better back in the AFL, and the Cubs hope that carries over into a long-term role in their big league bullpen.

Trey McNutt with Tennessee in 2010. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover.

7. Trey McNutt

A steal in the 32nd round of the 2009 Draft, McNutt’s career in pro ball thus far has been a tale of two seasons. After turning in a 10-1 record and the organization’s second-best ERA (2.48) and strikeout total (132) in his first full season, 2011 was hardly an encore for the hard-throwing righty. He has a power breaking ball and a plus fastball, which lives in the mid-90s, that he can dial up a notch when needed. An offspeed pitch could take him to the next level, but his changeup is still a work in progress. Consistency is what McNutt will look for this season to get back on track as the organization’s most promising starter. If all goes according to plan, he could see time in Chicago before the curtain closes on the upcoming season.

Rafael Dolis with Tennessee in 2010. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover.

8. Rafael Dolis

Following in the footsteps of Carlos Marmol and Randy Wells, Dolis is a converted position player. In 2011, he made another transition, from the rotation to the bullpen, and he finished second in the organization with 17 saves. Dolis has two plus pitches in his arsenal: a slider with late break and a heavy fastball that can hit triple digits and generate a ton of ground balls. With what most consider to be the best fastball in the Cubs’ system, he has closer potential but is more likely to be a setup man in the short term. He made his Major League debut late last September and should see a lot more of Chicago in the future.

Robert Whitenack with Tennessee in 2011. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

9. Robert Whitenack

The first player ever drafted out of SUNY-Old Westbury, the 2009 pick had a solid first full season in pro ball. It looked like he was taking off in year two when he was shut down two months into the 2011 season and needed to have Tommy John surgery. Before the injury, he had dominated at two levels. Whitenack features a low-to-mid-90s fastball with heavy sink that you can count on to generate a ton of ground balls. He complements the fastball with a nasty slider, and to top it all off he throws strikes.

Junior Lake with Tennessee in 2011. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

11. Junior Lake

Lake is as toolsy as they come, with a Shawon Dunston-esque arm in the infield, power to all fields and more than enough speed to be a basestealing threat. He needs to smooth out a lot of rough edges, including improving his plate discipline and cutting down on his errors in the field. His first taste of Double-A was so-so, but he performed well in the Arizona Fall League and was added to the Cubs’ 40-man roster this offseason.

Josh Vitters with Tennessee in 2011. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

12. Josh Vitters

Just when people may have been wanting to write Vitters off as a first-round bust, he started to look like he was figuring some things out in 2011. He still has a picture-perfect swing with plus bat speed and a ton of raw power. He doesn’t strike out, but he also doesn’t walk, swinging at virtually everything, though he did start to drive the ball more in games. He had a very strong Arizona Fall League, where he played some first and some outfield, though he still could end up being the Cubs’ long-term answer at the hot corner.