Chicago Cubs: Top 30 Prospects – No. 30 to No. 21

In the coming weeks, we’ll take a look at the updated rankings of the Chicago Cubs Top 30 prospects, beginning with the first installment of those ranked 30 through 21.

Major League Baseball recently updated their Top 30 prospects list for each club and now seems like as good a time as any to break down who crack the Top 30 list for the Chicago Cubs. There are a lot of new faces on this list and in order to cover each player as best as possible, this will be a three-part series, with prospects #21-30 up first.

With so many coming out of the Cubs’ system in the past few seasons, can there be that many more left down there? The answer is yes, and now it holds a few more pitchers than it had in the past.

Next: No. 30 - RHP Williams

#30- Ryan Williams (RHP)

2015 Stats (South Bend Cubs and Tennessee Smokies)

14-3, 2.16 ERA, 24 starts, 141.2 IP, 0.90 WHIP

Williams was drafted in the 10th round of the 2014 draft. At 24 years old, Williams pitched at the Double-A level for the Cubs last year, where he found success, going 10-2 with a 2.76 in 16 starts. Williams has primarily been used as a starter and his best pitch is his sinker. His fastball comes in at the low 90s. His ability to locate pitches is another factor that has contributed to his success. He gets a lot of groundball outs and has only surrendered two homers in 141.2 innings pitched in his pro career. It’s possible he could reach the big league club as a September call-up, but it would likely be out of the bullpen. If he gets a full year at the Triple-A level this year, he could vie for a rotation spot in 2017.

Next: No. 29 - RHP Torrez

#28 Jacob Hannemann (OF)

2015 Stats (Myrtle Beach and Tennessee)

.244/.303/.366, 24 2B, 6 HR, 45 RBI, 24 SB

Hannemann was drafted by the Cubs in the 3rd round of the 2013 draft but was actually selected by the Royals in 2010 but he turned down the Royals to play football in college. At 24 years old, Hannemann started the 2015 season with the Pelicans before getting promoted to Double-A after just 16 games. Hannemann’s best feature is his speed, where he stole 17 bases for the Smokies last season and he has been compared to Johnny Damon and Jacoby Ellsbury. He does not hit for a lot of power with just six home runs in 434 at-bats, but he is still very raw at the plate and has time to develop. In the field, Hannemann recorded 13 assists despite below average arm strength. His high ceiling makes it worth the wait to see if he can figure things out at the plate. A solid 2016 campaign could see him in Triple-A before season’s end, which could put him on track to crack the big leagues in 2017.

Next: No. 27 - RHP Clifton

#27 Trevor Clifton (RHP)

2015 Stats (South Bend Cubs)

8-10, 3.98 ERA, 22 GS, 108.2 IP, 103 K, 1.27 WHIP

Clifton was a 12th round draft pick in the 2013 draft and at just 20 years old, time is on his side. Clifton spent the 2015 season with low-A South Bend Cubs, where he was 8-10 with a 3.98 ERA in 22 starts. Clifton has primarily been a starter in his pro career and had the same success with short-season Boise in 2014. Clifton has an above average fastball that tops out at 96 mph and a curveball that has the potential to be a plus pitch despite inconsistency. He also has made progress by cleaning up his delivery and adding arm strength. Clifton is still several years from joining the big league club and needs to work on his control and command to be an effective starter. He did move up two rankings from the preseason, where he came in at #29.

Next: No. 26 - OF Wilson

#26 Darryl Wilson (OF)

2015 Stats (Arizona League Cubs-Rookie Ball)

.266/.322/.354, 22 G, 79 AB, 0 HR, 6 RBI

Wilson was just drafted by the Cubs in the 4th round of the 2015 draft and was the last of four players whom the Cubs paid seven figure bonuses too. At just 19 years old, Wilson spent the 2015 season with the Cubs rookie club. He batted .266  in 79 games. He has well above average speed but is not going to hit for much power. His short left-handed swing allows him to put the ball in play and beat out hits with his quickness. Wilson is also a solid defender with plenty range, an above average arm, and accuracy. He has the ability to a provide speed at the top of the lineup but still has a long way to go before cracking the big leagues.

Next: No. 25 - LHP Zastryzny

#25 Rob Zastryzny (LHP)

2015 Stats (Arizona League Cubs and Tennessee Smokies)

2-5, 5.98 ERA, 14 GS, 60.2 IP, 77 H, 1.73 WHIP

Zastryzny (besides having a last name that nobody is ever going to spell or pronounce correctly) was drafted in the second round of the 2013 draft. At age 23, Zastryzny spent most of the 2015 season with the Tennessee Smokies. He struggled to the tune of a 6.23 ERA in 14 starts but was slowed by a foot injury early in the season. He hasn’t really been able to find his groove yet in the minors and his changeup is probably his best pitch. His fastball is not overpowering, as it tops out at 94 mph, but is very inconsistent. He needs to stay on top of his breaking pitches, an improve his curveball and slider. It’s hard to imagine Zastryzny breaking with the big league club before 2017 and at this point, he seems better suited for the bullpen. He dropped three spots on the rankings, from 22 to 25.

Next: No. 24 - RHP De La Cruz

#24 Oscar De La Cruz (RHP)

2015 Stats (Eugene Emeralds)

6-3, 2.84 ERA, 13 GS, 73 IP, 73 K, 1.00 WHIP 

De La Cruz was signed by the Cubs in October 2012 out of the Dominican Republic as a shortstop but converted to a pitcher once he signed with the Cubs. At just 20 years old, De La Cruz spent 2015 with the Cubs short season low A ball team, the Eugene Emeralds, skipping a level because of a strong performance in extended spring training. This was his first season pitching in the U.S. De La Cruz pitched well with Eugene, going 6-3 with a 2.84 ERA in 13 starts. He is a power pitcher with a fastball that tops out at 96 mph. His secondary pitches are still a work in progress though he has a consistent delivery and throws strikes. He appears to be on the fast track, but because he is only 20 years old, but won’t crack the big leagues for a least a few years. This is his first time making the Top 30 prospect list.

Next: No. 23 - C Caratini

#23 Victor Caratini (C)

2015 Stats (Myrtle Beach Pelicans)

.257/.342/.372, 112 G, 393 AB, 4 HR, 53 RBI, 31 2B

Caratini was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2013 draft by the Atlanta Braves. He came over to the Cubs in July 2014 in a trade for James Russell and Emilio Bonifacio. Cartini is in a similar situation to the Cubs rookie catcher Kyle Schwarber, where his bat may be more useful than his catching abilities although he is safer bet behind the plate than Schwarber at this time. Despite being ahead of Schwarber in the catching department, he still needs to work on softening his hands, improving throwing accuracy, refining blocking skills, and adding physical strength. Cartini can play third base as a fall back option. At 22 years old, Caratini played with the Pelicans last season. He hit .257 with 4 homers and 53 RBIs in 112 games. This switch hitter is more about line drive contact than driving the ball and has a quality approach behind the plate. He has dropped 4 spots on the rankings, but is still at least a year or two from cracking the big leagues.

Next: No. 22 - 3B/1B Villanueva

#22 Christian Villanueva (3B/1B)

2015 Stats (Tennessee Smokies and Iowa Cubs)

.257/.314/.438, 129 G, 20 HR, 95 RBI, 23 2B, 35 BB

Villanueva was acquired by the Cubs in July 2012 in a trade with the Rangers that sent Ryan Dempster to Texas, and also brought back Kyle Hendricks. Villanueva has had an up and back career with the Cubs organization but bounced back nicely after a 2014 season in which the wheels came off.  At 24 years old, Villanueva spent the 2015 season with the Cubs Triple-A team, where he batted .259 with 18 homers and 88 RBIs in 123 games. Villanueva is not a patient hitter and is the best defensive third baseman in the organization. Villanueva is probably major league ready but is blocked by the Cubs crowded infield at the big league level. If he continues to produce well in the minors in 2016, he could make his way to the big league club if an injury arises or he could be used as trade bait at the deadline as well.

Next: No. 21 - RHP Stinnett

#21 Jake Stinnett (RHP)

2015 Season (South Bend Cubs)

7-6, 4.46 ERA, 22 GS, 117 IP, 117 H, 91 K, 1.43 ERA

Stinnett was a 2nd round pick in the 2014 draft but turned down the Pirates as the 29th round choice in 2013. At age 23, Stinnett pitched for the South Bend Cubs at A ball last season. Stinnett had decent success going 7-6 with a 4.46 ERA in 22 starts. Stinnett has a heavy sinker that tops out at 97 mph and also has a hard slider that peaks in the mid-80s. He has great command and control, which makes him a great candidate for a #2 starter, but does have troubles locating his pitches. Except the Cubs to move him aggressively through the system since he already is 23, but don’t expect him to reach the big leagues before 2017. He did move down 8 spots, from 13 to 21, but a strong 2016 season could put him back in the middle of pack.

So that highlights the bottom ten prospects on the Cubs Top 30 prospect list. Lots of newcomers to the list, which was to be expected with some of the top prospects getting called up last year. Check back later in the week for #11-20.