Chicago Cubs: Breaking down the team’s top prospects entering the season

Despite graduating countless previous top prospects, the Chicago Cubs’ system remains strong – and could impact the roster significantly in the near future.

The Chicago Cubs are now in year six of the Theo Epstein era. After joining the Cubs in 2011, Epstein started to rebuild the franchise from the ground up. Over the next few seasons, Epstein drafted players like Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora.

In addition to drafting top-tier prospects, Epstein has also pulled off several lopsided trades. Guys like Kyle Hendricks, Jake Arrieta and Anthony Rizzo have been acquired in trades that fell heavily in favor of Chicago.

Epstein, as well as the rest of the Cubs front office, has done a great job in stockpiling top talent in the minors. Last year, that painful rebuilding effort paid off when the Cubs won their first World Series title in 108 years.

Just because the Cubs have graduated top prospect after top prospect from their farm system does not mean the system is depleted. In fact, many experts have ranked the Cubs system right around the middle of the pack for the 2017 season. That is not bad considering the amount of talent that has moved up to the majors the last three seasons.

Ian Happ – ready to tear up big-league pitching

Ian Happ was selected by the Cubs in the first round of the 2015 draft. A switch-hitter, Happ kicked off his first professional season by posting a .259/.356/.466 slash-line in 67 games between Short-Season A and Single-A. Happ is a good on-base guy, and recorded a .365 mark in 2016 between Single-A Advanced and Double-A.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups
• Cubs: P.J. Higgins deserves to be in the lineup on a daily basis
• Cubs might start to limit Justin Steele’s workload soon
• Cubs: Adrian Sampson is forcing his way into the conversation
• Projecting the Chicago Cubs bullpen to open the 2023 season

Happ was rewarded for his fantastic play by getting an invitation to major league Spring Training. All he did was hit the cover off the baseball en route to posting a .383 average with 23 hits and 21 runs batted in.

At just 22 years old, Happ is showing signs of being ready for the major leagues. He played in 65 games for the Cubs’ Double-A affiliate in 2016, but after posting stellar numbers this spring, Happ was promoted to Triple-A to start the season.

The promotion will test Happ to see if he can hit more advanced pitching at a consistent pace.

Perhaps what makes Happ so appealing to the Cubs is the fact that he can play multiple positions. Throughout his minor league career, Happ has played every outfield position and second base. He has logged the most innings at second base, and looks to be ready to make that his primary position.

Just the fact that Happ can play in the outfield adds value to his stock, and makes him more likely to be called up in the near future.

Jimenez an exciting talent with huge upside

Eloy Jimenez signed with the Cubs as an international free agent in 2013. At just 17 years old, he made his professional debut with the Rookie ball club. Jimenez slashed just .227/.268/.367 in 42 games at that level.

Eventually, Jimenez made it to Single-A. In 2016. at age 19, Jimenez hit 14 home runs and drove in 81 runs in 112 games. He also posted a .329/.369/.532 slash-line.

Jimenez’s scouting report suggests that he will most likely play a corner outfield position once he reaches the majors. Throughout his short professional career, Jimenez has logged the majority of his innings in left field. He has a career .990 fielding percentage in over 1,100 innings in left field so far in his career. That kind of defensive play, combined with his big bat, will put Jimenez on the fast track toward the majors.

At the major league level, the Cubs are stacked in the outfield. Kyle Schwarber should be able to hold down the left field position, while Albert Almora is set to become the regular center fielder in the near future. Jason Heyward is signed through the 2023 season, but has struggled at the plate recently.

Jimenez is at least two years away from reaching the majors. Whether Jimenez makes it to the majors with the Cubs is yet to be seen, but he does make a good trade chip for the Cubs who could use more starting pitching.

Learning from the best, Almora could be great

Albert Almora was taken by the Cubs in the first round of the 2012 draft. Almora was drafted out of high school, and began his professional career at age 18. In 2012, Almora hit .321 with two home runs and 19 RBI in his first taste of professional baseball.

At age 19, Almora slashed .324/.369/.469 in 82 games between the Arizona Fall League and Single-A. In 2016, at just 22 years old, Almora debuted at Triple-A. He hit .303 with four home runs and 43 RBI. That performance was good enough to earn Almora a call-up to the majors. In 47 games for the Cubs last season, Almora hit .277 with three home runs and 14 RBI.

While Almora does not wow with the bat, he is off-the-charts defensively. That great defense was on display Tuesday night against the St. Louis Cardinals when Almora robbed Matt Adams of a home run in the 7th inning.

That catch would end up being the difference in the Cubs 2-1 win, the team’s first victory of the season. He continues to work on his offensive game, but his defense will keep him in the lineup for now.

Right now, Almora is splitting time in center field with Jason Heyward and Jon Jay. As the youngster gains experience, the Cubs may take the training wheels off and let Almora be a more regular player.

After a catch like that, he deserves to be on the field every day.

Cease bringing the heat in the Cubs’ system

Dylan Cease was drafted in the sixth round of the 2014 draft by the Cubs. Cease was first round talent in his draft class until he suffered an elbow injury which hindered his stock. When he fell to the Cubs in the sixth round, Chicago felt like they got a steal.

Cease’s best pitch is his fastball. He can throw it in the upper 90’s, touching 100 MPH at times. His curveball and change-up still have room to get better, but the 21-year-old has plenty of time to work on his secondary pitches.

In 2015, at the rookie ball level, Cease pitched just 24 innings. In those innings, Cease recorded a 2.62 ERA, 25 strikeouts, and 16 walks.

Cease moved up to the Short-Season A level in 2016. There, he posted a 2.22 ERA with 66 strikeouts and 25 walks in 44 2/3 innings pitched.

The 6’2″ right-hander is still a few years away from contributing at the major league level. Continuing to work on his secondary pitches will be key to Cease’s success at the higher levels of the minors.

The Cubs could use Cease in their rotation right now, but they will be forced to wait for the time being.

Converted infielder ready to make his mark

Oscar de la Cruz signed with the Cubs in 2012. Since then, Cruz has been working his way through the minors with his best seasons coming in 2014 and 2015.

At 19 years old, Cruz started 14 games in the Dominican Summer League. Cruz posted an 8-1 record with a 1.80 ERA, 64 strikeouts and 19 walks in 75 innings pitched.

In 2015, Cruz made 13 starts at the Short-Season A level. In those starts, Cruz pitched to a 2.84 ERA with 73 strikeouts and 17 walks in 73 innings pitched.

Cruz made it has high as Single-A in 2016, and made six starts at that level. He recorded a 3.25 ERA, 35 strikeouts and 8 walks in 27 2/3 innings pitched in those starts.

Cruz is a converted infielder, and features a fastball, curve and change-up that could eventually develop into plus pitches.

While his role is unclear moving forward, Cruz still has a long journey ahead to reach the majors. The Cubs could use Cruz in the bullpen if he is effective or in the rotation if he can polish up his pitches.

On-base prowess a skill for Zagunis

Mark Zagunis was drafted by the Cubs in the third round of the 2014 draft. He got to work right away in 2014 as he split time between three different levels, and played a total of 57 games. In those games, Zagunis hit .288 with two home runs and 32 RBI. Zagunis also posted a .420 OBP in 2014.

Chicago Cubs

After getting promoted to Single-A Advanced in 2015, Zagunis continued his offensive production. In 115 games, Zagunis hit eight home runs to go along with his 54 RBI. Zagunis also slashed .271/.406/.412.

At age 23, Zagunis split time between Double-A and Triple-A. He played a total of 101 games in 2016, and posted a .288 batting average and .384 OBP. He also hit 10 home runs and drove in 49 runs.

There is no doubt that Zagunis can hit and get on base at a high level. In 273 minor league games, Zagunis has recorded a .401 OBP. That is an impressive mark and is no doubt drawing interest from the Cubs front office.

Zagunis is yet another guy who can play all over the field. He has played catcher, left field and right field the most since being drafted. It looks as if the Cubs are wanting him to play a corner outfield position at the higher levels.

Cubs fans could see Zagunis at the major league level in 2017, but do not expect him to take anyone’s job- at least not yet.

Candelario faces perhaps hardest road to Chicago

Jeimer Candelario was signed by the Cubs in 2010. At just 18 years old, Candelario appeared in 71 games for the Cubs Short-Season A affiliate. In those games, Candelario slashed .281/.345/.396 and hit 6 home runs to go along with his 47 RBI.

By 2016, Candelario had worked his way up to Double and Triple-A. In 132 games split between the two levels, Candelario hit 13 home runs with 77 RBI. He hit .283 with a .376 OBP and .464 slugging percentage.

To cap off his 2016 season, Candelario was called up to the majors. Candelario played in just five games and recorded 11 at-bats.

Candelario is a switch-hitter, but seems to be blocked at the major league level. He is primarily a third baseman, but can play first base if needed. Unfortunately for him, those are two positions that are locked up with the Cubs at the major league level.

Don’t expect Clifton in Chicago in the near future

Trevor Clifton was drafted in the 12th round of the 2013 draft by the Cubs. Clifton made 13 starts in 2014 at Short-Season A ball, posting a 3.69 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 61 innings pitched.

Clifton’s workload increased in 2015 as he pitched 108.2 innings at the Single-A level. Clifton struck out 103 opposing batters in those innings, finishing the season with a 3.98 ERA and 8-10 record.

The 21-year-old reached Single-A Advanced in 2016. He recorded a 2.72 ERA with 129 strikeouts and 41 walks in 119 innings pitched.

Last season was Clifton’s best as a professional, but he will need to continue to post good numbers if he wants to get to the majors.

Clifton throws a mid-to-upper 90’s fastball. He also mixes in a curve-ball, slider, and change-up. His curve-ball could be his best secondary pitch, but his change-up is coming along and his slider is nothing to sneeze at.

Clifton has the make-up to be a solid starter for the Cubs at some point in the future. He is still some time away from contributing at the major league level.

The times are a-changing; and that’s a good thing.

The Chicago Cubs have reaped the rewards of their hard work. After rebuilding this franchise the right way, Theo Epstein and company have set this team up for success over the next five years. The talent does not stop with the players on the major league roster.

While some of these prospects are still a few years away from reaching the majors, the Cubs are in no hurry to get these players ready. The North Siders are set at just about every position, making most of the remaining players expendable.

Not all of the prospects listed above will make it to the majors with the Cubs. That is not to say they won’t make it to the big leagues, it just means the Cubs are so deep that they may be traded to fill holes at higher levels.

The Cubs are overflowing with talent, and that’s the way Cubs fans like it.