Cubs Prospects: What to do with all of these infielders?

The fanfare surrounding the Chicago Cubs since the conclusion of the World Series has been impossible to ignore in the baseball world. As if you didn’t already know, the Cubs made the biggest splash of December’s winter meetings by reeling in the premier pitching free agent Jon Lester to a monstrous six-year, $155 million contract. Not to mention trading for the framing specialist catcher Miguel Montero as well as their new center fielder, Dexter Fowler.

These new faces serve to spark a stagnant fanbase desperately hoping for some sort of competitive team to sink their teeth into and throw their money at — I already have my 2015 National League Central Division champs t-shirt on backorder. But expectations aside, the Cubs’ current plans and future are still firmly entrenched in the minor league system.

Last year, Wrigley bystanders were given their first piece of the insatiably hyped-up farm system when mega-prospect Javier Baez was called up to the MLB. As a painfully patient fan base now waiting well beyond a century for a World Series, an alarming amount of strikeouts for Baez (95 in 229 plate appearances to be exact) can be considered a learning curve for the 22-year-old from Puerto Rico.

Then “Soler Power” took over Wrigley Field when Cuban prospect Jorge Soler emerged from Triple-A Iowa. At just 22 years old, Soler walloped his first taste of Major League pitching with an impressive .573 slugging percentage in 97 plate appearances. Small sample size aside, Soler showed the promise that leads many scouts to believe he could be the prolific lineup presence needed alongside Anthony Rizzo for the Cubs.

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So, what’s next? Baez is the prohibitive favorite to break Spring Training as the Cubs’ Opening Day starting second baseman, and I’m inclined to believe it’ll happen. His contact issues can’t be solved with lesser pitching in the minor leagues, Baez needs to constructively pass through the initial growing pains. Obviously, Starlin Castro will man the shortstop position, so that sews up the middle of the infield. Both newly acquired Tommy La Stella and Mike Olt will platoon at third base, and with Rizzo at first the infield for the Cubs is firmly set when it comes to projections. That is until Kris Bryant gets the call.

Last year’s Minor League Player of the Year and the second-overall prospect in baseball according to MLB’s website, Bryant figures to make his Cubs’ debut around the same time the ivy turns green later this year. Not hampered by strikeout issues other prospects struggle with as they progress through the franchise’s levels, Bryant projects to make an immediate impact for the Cubs much like Soler last season.

Now, what the heck are they supposed to do with Addison Russell? Dropped on the lap of Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer from the prospect stork Billy Beane in Oakland, Russell is heralded as the fifth-best prospect in baseball. He played on three different teams last year at A+ and Double-A levels and tallied an impressive .350 on-base percentage to go with 13 home runs in 280 plate appearances. He managed 19 walks to only 49 strikeouts — a number he keeps moderately low thanks to impressive bat speed with the ability to cover the strike zone quickly thus putting the ball in play. Russell is pegged as a potential 20/20 player (home runs and stolen bases) in the future with a high ceiling capable for even more.

Oct. 14, 2014; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell plays for the Mesa Solar Sox during an Arizona Fall League game against the Scottsdale Scorpions at Salt River Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Some would argue that a trade needs to happen. With a crowded lineup on the horizon, the Cubs simply may not have the room to house all these potential studs. Joe Maddon is a creative genius, but not even he could carve out a lineup over 162 games with three middle infielders all deserving of starting spots. Castro’s name always seems to pop up considering he’s still relatively young at 24 years old and already three all-star nods to his credit. It’s hard to stomach the idea of moving a young All-Star who already has enough seasoning under his belt to become a valuable veteran presence for these young kids coming up. The curse of the unknown applies to Russell as his hype is so enticing. As a fan or scout, you desperately want to see what is so great about a guy the Cubs traded two starting pitchers — including ace Jeff Samardzija — to acquire.

That leaves Baez. The former top prospect is not a Jed and Theo original. The hard-swinging second baseman was instead part of the Jim Hendry regime. The holes in his swings are alarmingly evident; those atrocious swings at pitches in the dirt and out of the zone were troubling to watch. His value took a hit on the trade market after his abysmal showing last season. While I do believe he can and will be a very productive MLB-caliber player, the Cubs may want to look into moving him with the idea of shifting either Castro or Russell to second base — both of whom are athletic enough to successfully make the transition. Perhaps he starts off hot showing some noted contact improvement and Theo pulls the trigger on a deal to land a premier pitching prospect. C.J. Edwards is nice, but a phenom arm in the system is just what the Cubs need.

The Mets desperately need a shortstop, perhaps Noah Syndergaard is on the table? Derek Jeter‘s grandiloquent year-long retirement party is done, and the Yankees would likely desire an impact player going forward. They have a few pitching prospects, namely Luis Severino who could spark a discussion. If I were Theo, I’d call up Toronto and see how available Aaron Sanchez is.

All this baseless speculation makes for good discussion and daydreaming as we all trek through snow imagining a hot dog in our hands taking in a game under the warm summer sun. Time will tell, I trust the Cubs organization to organize all this talent into a winning club going forward. It’ll be intriguing to see where they go with it.

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