Chicago Cubs prospects: Not always a happy ending

Apr 22, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view during the third inning of a game between the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs and prospects haven’t always been used kindly in the same sentence.  All of Cubs nation is hoping for that to change with this new wave of prospects.  With the hype surrounding Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Jorge Soler, and Javier Baez is big and warranted, it does make some Cubs fans think back.  There have been other prospects that have had the hype in the Cubs system as being “the next big player”, but not this many all at the same time.

Now lets not look at this story or slide show as a sign of how things could be.  Let’s look at this as a past that we learned from.  We are now a better organization with better management.  There is no reason to think that these prospects won’t be better than ones from the past.

Next: First up, a slice of.....

February 28, 2013; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder

(26) is congratulated by manager

(13) after he hit a 2-run home run during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Felix Pie

Felix Pie signed with the Chicago Cubs as an amateur free agent in 2001.  At the beginning of his minor league career, Pie would have instant success – putting the ball in play and fielding his position very well.  Pie would also show some great athletic ability and speed that would help him work his way through the minor leagues.  Pie’s fast start would be halted by a broken ankle.  It was said that Pie was to be called up to the Cubs before that injury.

Heading into the 2007 season, Pie was being ranked at the top prospect in the Chicago Cubs system.  Due to an injury to then outfielder Alfonso Soriano, Pie would be called up sooner than expected.  He would make his major league debut on April 17, 2007.  In that game he would face future hall of fame pitcher and former Cub great, Greg Maddux.

Pie would record a double off of Maddux and later that inning score.  What may have been more impressive from his debut was a throw he made from center field to throw out a runner at home.  It was a perfect throw – it made Cubs fans dream about our future cornerstone center fielder.  Pie would go back to the minors to play regularly, but would be called up a few more times during the season as needed.

Pie would win the starting center field job going into the 2008 season.  Due to a very slow start to the season, he would lose time to Reed Johnson.  Eventually the Cubs would sign veteran free agent Jim Edmonds to be the full-time center fielder.  Pie would find himself as a pinch runner and platoon player.

Pie’s time with the Cubs would end in January of 2009.  The Cubs traded Pie for Garrett Olson and a minor league player.  Pie never lived up to the expectations with the Cubs.  A high strike out rate, inconsistent play, along with injuries never allowed Pie to match the once hyped talent.  Pie would go on to play for a few other teams but never made any impact.

Next: So much potential....

Apr 22, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view as Chicago Cubs players warm up in the outfield in front of the scoreboard before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Corey Patterson

Patterson was drafted by the Chicago Cubs as the third overall pick in the 1998 amateur draft.  Patterson had success at every level he ever played at before being called up to the Cubs.  Named to Baseball America’s and USA Today’s All-American teams in high school, Patterson had the makings of what would be a promising prospect for the Cubs.  Scouts had said that Patterson was a five-tool player and would be the kind of player that franchises would build around.

Patterson would make his major league debut in September of the 2000 season.  Heading into the 2001 season, Patterson was ranked as the second overall prospect in baseball.  Patterson would spend most of 2001 in Triple A where he did struggle.  Patterson would start out the 2002 season with the Cubs but again did not show the signs of being the much hyped prospect when he was drafted.  Patterson would also show his impatience at the plate, freely swinging away and striking out 142 times.

2003, Patterson finally started to play as expected when he was drafted second.  He was flirting with a near .300 batting average and showing some power at the plate.  An injury to his knee would cut his season short and ending what could have been a breakout season for him.  Finally in 2004 Patterson’s power numbers would arrive hitting twenty-four home runs and driving in 72 runs but still would have a lot of strikeouts.

With his struggles at the plate because of the number of strike outs and the pressure of prospect Felix Pie coming up, Patterson would continue to put up numbers that looked more like a role player than a star.  Eventually Patterson would be sent down to the minors to work on some flaws.  He would be called back up in a month but nothing changed.

Patterson’s Cubs end would be much like his beginning, bad.  He would be traded to Baltimore for two minor league players.

Next: The earlier model Kris Bryant

Mar 18, 2014; Surprise, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder

(7) breaks his bat on a swing in the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Brett Jackson

Brett Jackson, one of the more recent prospects in the Cubs system that failed to reach his potential.  Jackson was drafted in the first round of the 2009 amateur draft by the Chicago Cubs.  Jackson was looked at as a future center fielder and a lead-off hitter for the Cubs.  With some power and good speed, expectations for Jackson were to be a possible 20 home run guy who could steal as many as thirty bases.  Jackson definitely gave Cubs fans and management a lot to be hopeful for.

In the minor leagues, Jackson had a decent amount of success but never really showed what the Cubs had seen in him when they drafted him.  Jackson would catch the attention of the scouts of the United States national baseball team.  Jackson would make the US National team in 2011 and play in the Pan American games and the Baseball World cup helping the team win a silver medal.

In 2012 Jackson would have his most success in the minors and with that a call up to the Chicago Cubs would be made.  In his 44 games with the Cubs, Jackson would struggle at the plate.  Jackson would strikeout 59 times in only 142 at bats, posting only a .175 batting average, 4 home runs, and 9 runs batted in.  With Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer now in charge of the front office, there seemed to be a lack of confidence in Jackson to ever turn into what was hoped of by the previous management.

Jackson would be traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league pitcher Blake Cooper.  What the previous management saw in Jackson wasn’t the same that Epstein and Hoyer saw.

Next: Third base is never easy in Chicago

Mar 18, 2014; Surprise, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder

(27) signs autographs before facing the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Vitters

Josh Vitters seems like one of those players that’s been with the Cubs forever.  Vitters drafted in 2007 as the third overall pick by the Chicago Cubs, was named the Gatorade baseball player of the year for California in 2007 out of high school.  Vitters was expected to be either a corner outfielder or third baseman for the Cubs when he would be eventually called up.  While in the minors, Vitters had shown some success for hitting the ball but not for as much power as you’d want from your future third baseman.

In 2009 Vitters earned a selection to the future’s all-star game.  Later that season he would be promoted to the Dayton Cubs where he would struggle at the plate.  That would be the start of his struggles for the next couple of seasons.  In 2011 Vitters would find his swing again and post a .297 batting average, 18 home runs, and 98 runs batted in while with the Arizona fall league team and Tennessee.

Vitters would earn his call up to the majors at the same time as Brett Jackson in August of 2012.  In his first game he would record a pinch hit double as his first professional hit.  That was probably the highlight of his stay with the Cubs.  In his 36 games he would hit .121 with 2 home runs and 5 runs batted in.  That was his one and only call up as a Chicago Cub.  Vitters was granted free agency and would be signed by Colorado.

What may have most Cubs fans upset is who the Cubs passed up after picking Vitters.  Just to name a few, Matt Wieters, Madison Bumgarner, Jayson Heyward, Rick Porcello, Todd Frazier, and Sean Doolittle.  That thud you’re hearing, is the other Cubs fans reading this all hitting their head on their computers.

Next: Now on the 'hill' for the Cubs..

Sep 22, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher

(57) pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Rich Hill

Rich Hill was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 2002 amateur draft in the fourth round.  Hill was in the 1999 draft as well and was selected by the Cincinnati Reds but would later decide to go on to college and pitch for the Michigan Wolverines.  While not a hard throwing pitcher, Hill was a very good strikeout pitcher.  He relied on his command and his dangerous curve ball. He did have a fastball that would top off at in the low 90’s and a respectable change-up but his curve is what got him noticed by the Cubs management.

In the minors, Hill would find mixed success but his strikeout numbers always remained high and consistent.  There was a need for another pitcher with the Cubs so with his consistency and his older age, the front office could view Hill as a good choice to call up.  Hill would get that call up in 2005, at first it was thought he’d come out of the bullpen.  The time in the bullpen would be short-lived, Kerry Wood would end up getting hurt which gave Hill his first chance as a starter.  While he didn’t factor in the decision, Hill did pitch five innings and gave up two earned runs.

In 2006, Hill would go between the Cubs and back to the minors a few different times, making appearances when needed.  Finally, in 2007 Hill would get his chance to compete for a starting job on the pitching staff.  He would win one of those spots and was named the Cubs forth starter behind Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, and Jason Marquis.  Hill got off to a very fast start and quickly got the attention of everyone in the National League.

Early on many started to wonder if Hill was the future ace of this staff. Though he didn’t have the power pitches that most would want out of their ace, his curve ball was very special.  There would be a bump in the road as the season went on with his command but he would right the ship and help the Cubs go on to win the National League Central Division.

Hill finished his 2006 campaign going 11-8 with a 3.92 earned run average and a WHIP of 1.195.  Just as impressive was his 183 strikeouts, continuing to prove his was a strikeout pitcher despite not having an overpowering fastball. After a short post-season, Hill would go on to try to continue his success he had in 2007.  That success would not happen with Hill in a Cubs uniform.  Hill would struggle with his command.  With the lack of power behind his pitches, his command was essential to be spot on.

Hill would be sent back to the minors to try to fix his mechanics or find what was wrong.  Those answers were never found.  The Chicago Cubs would trade Hill in 2009 to the Baltimore Orioles (notice a trend with the trades with Baltimore?) for a player-to-be-named-later which ended up being cash considerations.  Since then, Hill has bounced around to several teams, never being able to find the magic he had for that short time in 2006.

Next: We can't go on forever, can we?