[Chi_archie]

haven't read too much chatter on Arismendy Alcantara being up for the Cubs, he is off to a nice start.


Good to see some of the prospects from the Cubs stockpiled farm system start to matriculate to the Bigs.

Kris Bryant is having a monster season, i'm wondering what the Cubs will do with this stud. At least a September roster expansion call up

[No coincidences]

They need to be careful not to rush these guys to the bigs, though.

Olt hits like he's a blindfolded. And they crowned Castro before he actually accomplished anything. Now he's a lazy multi-millionaire who plays like he couldn't care less about winning and losing.

[d2bets]

They need to be careful not to rush these guys to the bigs, though.

Olt hits like he's a blindfolded. And they crowned Castro before he actually accomplished anything. Now he's a lazy multi-millionaire who plays like he couldn't care less about winning and losing.

Olt has had eye issues, probably still does. He's 25 and been around, came from Texas. Has nothing to do with the Cubs prospects.

Bryant remains down because teams just don't call up players these days after only 1 season in the minors and the Cubs are sensitive when it comes to service clock stuff. Bryant would be fine getting called up right now. He is going to be one of the best hitters in baseball, his natural power is right up there guys like Cabrera and Pujols.

Alcantara is a really nice piece. Somewhere between a Ray Durham or Jimmy Rollins type, he's 22. Javier Baez is the biggest wildcard. Legendary power as a middle infielder but can he keep it under control. And then Addison Russell needs more time, but should be solid. Cubs also have Jorge Soler (has had trouble staying healthy), Albert Almora (struggled early this season, but has gotten hot) and this year's top bat drafted Kyle Schwarber who has gotten off to an excellent start.

Bryant, Baez, Russell, Alcantara, Soler, Almora, Schwarber to go with Rizzo and Castro. Cubs will have to spend the $ on pitchers. I doubt Olt is part of the future plans, but he'll keep getting shots because his power is +++. If he could just manage to hit .240 and reduce the K's a little, he'd be very solid, good defender at 3rd too. He can easily hit 30+ HR.

[d2bets]

Alcantara 2-3 with a double and his first HR today. He's small and has speed, but has more pop than you'd think. 15-20 HR power. After going 0-4 in his debut, in 4 games he's 9-17, 3 doubles, triple, HR, SB and 6 runs.

[No coincidences]

Olt has had eye issues, probably still does. He's 25 and been around, came from Texas. Has nothing to do with the Cubs prospects.

Bryant remains down because teams just don't call up players these days after only 1 season in the minors and the Cubs are sensitive when it comes to service clock stuff. Bryant would be fine getting called up right now. He is going to be one of the best hitters in baseball, his natural power is right up there guys like Cabrera and Pujols.

Alcantara is a really nice piece. Somewhere between a Ray Durham or Jimmy Rollins type, he's 22. Javier Baez is the biggest wildcard. Legendary power as a middle infielder but can he keep it under control. And then Addison Russell needs more time, but should be solid. Cubs also have Jorge Soler (has had trouble staying healthy), Albert Almora (struggled early this season, but has gotten hot) and this year's top bat drafted Kyle Schwarber who has gotten off to an excellent start.

Bryant, Baez, Russell, Alcantara, Soler, Almora, Schwarber to go with Rizzo and Castro. Cubs will have to spend the $ on pitchers. I doubt Olt is part of the future plans, but he'll keep getting shots because his power is +++. If he could just manage to hit .240 and reduce the K's a little, he'd be very solid, good defender at 3rd too. He can easily hit 30+ HR.

Solid post. Good stuff.

[Chi_archie]

welcome to the big leagues, JAVIER BAEZ!!!!

[kidcudi92]

Cubs and Astros will be contenders in 2017

[smoke a bowl]

They are the Cubs. They will puck it up some how.

[Chi_archie]

Cubs and Astros will be contenders in 2017

I'd say earlier than that

[I/O]

Cubs and Astros will be contenders in 2017

Astros will be long before the Cubs

[kidcudi92]

I'd say earlier than that

Yeah, i was just being modest with it. All depends on how well they adapt to the majors obviously

[CarpeDime]

was thinking of pounding TB in the cubs series this weekend, now not sure if Cubs will be full of prospects

Archie what do we do? Are these prospects for real or is this still the fade-city Cubs?

[kidcudi92]

was thinking of pounding TB in the cubs series this weekend, now not sure if Cubs will be full of prospects

Archie what do we do? Are these prospects for real or is this still the fade-city Cubs?

They are for real but will take time to adjust to the majors imo

[Chi_archie]

was thinking of pounding TB in the cubs series this weekend, now not sure if Cubs will be full of prospects

Archie what do we do? Are these prospects for real or is this still the fade-city Cubs?

pound TB

[kidcudi92]

pound TB

Really liking Almora as well Archie, be awhile(year or two off?) until he's up though

and Vogelbach as well

[Chi_archie]

i'm most looking forward to Bryant

Kris Bryant 19 | 3B Status: Active Iowa Cubs Triple-A Pacific Coast League MLB Parent Club: Chi Cubs

Stats AVG: .314 HR: 14 RBI: 36 SB: 7

Bookmark Player Full Name: Kristopher L. Bryant Born: 01/04/1992 Birthplace: Las Vegas, NV College: San Diego Height: 6' 5" Weight: 215 Bats: R Throws: R

2014 Season
Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
TNS	SOU	.355	68	248	61	88	20	0	22	58	174	43	77	8	2	.458	.702	1.160
IOW	PCL	.321	46	162	39	52	13	0	14	36	107	25	52	7	1	.427	.660	1.088
Minors		.341	114	410	100	140	33	0	36	94	281	68	129	15	3	.446	.685	1.131

[kidcudi92]

i'm most looking forward to Bryant

Kris Bryant 19 | 3B Status: Active Iowa Cubs Triple-A Pacific Coast League MLB Parent Club: Chi Cubs

Stats AVG: .314 HR: 14 RBI: 36 SB: 7

Bookmark Player Full Name: Kristopher L. Bryant Born: 01/04/1992 Birthplace: Las Vegas, NV College: San Diego Height: 6' 5" Weight: 215 Bats: R Throws: R

2014 Season
Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
TNS	SOU	.355	68	248	61	88	20	0	22	58	174	43	77	8	2	.458	.702	1.160
IOW	PCL	.321	46	162	39	52	13	0	14	36	107	25	52	7	1	.427	.660	1.088
Minors		.341	114	410	100	140	33	0	36	94	281	68	129	15	3	.446	.685	1.131

for sure. dude is only 4 months older than me

[Chi_archie]

Baez batting in the 2 hole tonight

[Chi_archie]

top 4 in the lineup all 24 or under with tons of potential

but also 0-10 today

[Chi_archie]

Baez baby!

[d2bets]

Baez baby!

His hands and bat speed are off the charts.

[Chi_archie]

10th HR for Arismendy.... not sure what he future holds for him though

[pacocn]

How's their pitching going to be?

[Chi_archie]

How's their pitching going to be?

good question

they have some pieces, and we'll see who they pay the big bucks on the free agent market the next few years

[d2bets]

How's their pitching going to be?

Arietta and Hendricks are both very good, young and under team control. Travis Wood might still be OK, and then there are a slew of maybes. They need to augment, but it doesn't take that much from here to put together a solid rotation. Payroll is comically low, so there is no reason they can't go out and spend in FA on an arm or two. Say they go out and sign Lester, and Wood has a better season and Bosio turns around Turner or Doubront:
1. Lester
2. Arietta
3. Hendricks
4. Wood
5. Turner/Doubront

Could be very good.

Cubs don't have a ton of top young pitching prospects, yet, and none ready next season, but they have a few interesting ones not too far away, specifically: C.J. Edwards, Pierce Johnson and Jen-Ho Tseng.

Edwards came over in the Garza trade and has utterly dominated the minors, when he's been healthy. The most amazing stat is he's allowed just 2HR in 237 IP (and a 1.86 ERA) - not even sure how that's possible. He's very skinny though, so durability could be an issue.

Bullpen has a bunch of very good arms.

Yes, the Cubs are not far away from contending - not far at all.

[TheLock]

Cubs and Astros will be contenders in 2017

I agree 100%.

Cubs 1-4 in their batting order looks veey sexy right now.

[Big Bear]

Astros will be long before the Cubs