Kris Bryant tops Fangraphs’ list of 2015 Cubs’ top rookies

Mar 10, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant prior to the game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier this week, FanGraphs released its breakdown of the top five Chicago Cubs prospects based on projected wins above replacement (WAR), as well as an organization-wide discussion of the talent in the minors, which we will talk about later today in a separate post.

With the Wrigley Field renovation – a major key to the organization turning a corner financially – underway, the arrival of the club’s young talent, including the already-promoted Javier Baez and Jorge Soler, and others including Addison Russell, Kyle Schwarber and Kris Bryant, seems to be one of the final steps left in a multi-year rebuilding effort that, with the addition of several big league pieces this offseason, could come to a head as early as the 2015 campaign.

The piece by FanGraphs will be discussed here, but the entire article, which is linked above, is definitely worth a read for anyone who follows the Cubs.

The article begins by making note of two very important factors: One, this is a list of rookie-eligible players who are closest to contributing at the big league level, not a top prospect list. Second, the likelihood of whether or not each of these individuals will see Chicago in 2015 was not taken into account.

Here’s the list:

1. Kris Bryant, 3B
2. Jorge Soler, OF
3. Addison Russell, SS
4. Arodys Vizcaino, SP
5. Kyle Schwarber, C/OF