Chicago Cubs Minors: Checking in with talent down on the farm

Even with the Chicago Cubs having dipped into their farm system recently, they still have some players who are tearing up the minors

The Chicago Cubs have had some injuries at the major league level in the early stages of this season. In accordance with those injuries, the Cubs were forced to call-up highly touted prospect Ian Happ earlier this month. In addition to Happ, Pierce Johnson, Eddie Butler and Dylan Floro have also been called upon to make appearances this season.

Despite the use of some minor league guys this season, the Cubs still have a deep system.

Now that the month of May is drawing to a close, it is time to take a look at some of the top performing Cubs’ prospects so far this season.

Dylan Cease, RHP

Despite leaving his last start with an ankle injury, Dylan Cease has been lights-out for the Cubs’ Single-A affiliate this year. In eight starts, Cease has allowed just two home runs. Cease has also struck out 54 batters, and walked just 18 in 34 innings pitched.

The righty is sporting a 2.65 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. In addition to his low ERA, Cease is striking out an average of 14.3 batters per nine innings. That is good considering he is averaging 4.8 walks per nine.

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Cease is no stranger to posting great numbers as he recorded ERA’s of 2.62 and 2.22 in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Even though Cease is currently listed on the DL, don’t expect him to stay there long.

When Cease does return from injury, expect him to continue striking out a high volume of hitters while maintaining a fairly low walk rate.

Cease has the stuff to become a front-line starter for the Cubs. His fastball runs close to 100 MPH on occasion, although his secondary pitches leave a lot to be desired, at times.

There is no doubt Cease needs to work on his stuff if he hopes to make it to the majors. Coming into the 2017 season, Cease was ranked number three on the Cubs’ top prospect list by mlbpipeline.com. So far this season Cease has done nothing to decrease his stock, and will likely become a big piece for the Cubs at some point in the future.

Victor Caratini, C/1B

At age 23, Victor Caratini is tearing up Triple-A Iowa. Caratini is slashing .351/.394/.530 in 41 games this season. Caratini has also recorded four home runs and 33 RBI. In addition to that, he has also struck out 21 times and walked 12 times in 151 at-bats.

Thus far, Caratini is registering a strikeout rate of 13.9 percent. That mark is lower than his career minor league average of 16.6 percent. Caratini’s low strikeout rate, both this season and throughout his career, bode well for the young prospect.

Caratini has logged innings at first base (124) and catcher (220) so far this season. Despite making mlbpipeline.com’s Team of the Week on back-to-back occasions, Caratini may be stuck behind names like Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras who are performing at a high level in the majors.

If the 23-year-old can continue to post great numbers, the Cubs may be forced to call-up Caratini. He could provide the Cubs with some more depth at catcher, but with two full-time catchers and Kyle Schwarber already on the roster, that seems unlikely.

Perhaps, Caratini gets bundled with some other prospects at the trade deadline for a couple starting pitchers the Cubs need badly.

Pierce Johnson, RHP

Former first round draft pick Pierce Johnson made his major league debut on Friday. Johnson worked one inning, allowing two hits, and two runs ( zero earned). In addition to that, Johnson struck out two batters and walked one.

Despite a shaky major league debut, Johnson tore up Triple-A this season. In 13 appearances for Iowa, Johnson recorded a 2.81 ERA with five saves in 16 innings pitched. Johnson also struck out 23 batters while walking just 11.

The 26-year-old right-hander is averaging 12.9 strikeouts per nine innings which is well above his career average of nine strikeouts per nine innings.

Johnson was the first pitcher selected by the Cubs under Theo Epstein and could prove to be valuable at some point in the near future.

The Cubs will lose 40 percent of their starting rotation after the 2017 season. Johnson could be an option to plug one of those holes moving forward. In 100 minor league appearances over six seasons, Johnson has made 73 starts. Despite that, Johnson has yet to make a start for Iowa this year, instead working in the latter innings of games.

Whatever the Cubs’ plans are for Johnson, they will likely involve him being promoted to the major leagues again at some point this season. As he continues to gain experience, expect Johnson to stick on the big league roster and start providing the Cubs with some pitching depth.

Mark Zagunis, OF

Mark Zagunis, a third-round selection by the Cubs in the 2014 draft, is off to a nice start in Triple-A this season. In 39 games, Zagunis is slashing .252/.399/.466 with seven home runs and 23 RBI.

The outfielder has registered a 29 percent strikeout rate this season. That mark is well above his career average of 21.9 percent.

Despite his high strikeout rate, Zagunis is enjoying a high on-base percentage. His .399 mark this season is actually a tick lower than his .401 career OBP. That high mark, coupled with his respectable .277 career batting average will no doubt help his chances of being called up.

Zagunis came into this season as the Cubs’ number six prospect. Despite being behind fellow outfield prospect Eloy Jimenez in the prospect rankings, Zagunis is further along in his development as a player.

The 24-year-old Zagunis will likely need some more seasoning in the minors before he is big league ready. Even then, Zagunis may not be able to crack the Cubs’ talented roster.

With a stacked outfield, the Cubs may look to trade some minor league outfield depth at some point. That does not mean Zagunis will be on the move, but with the Cubs’ current roster, his role would be very limited if he is called up.

Other Prospects

Ian Happ, OF – .357/.455/.786 with two home runs and five RBI in eight games for the Chicago Cubs.

Jeimer Candelario, 3B – .325/.417/.675 with seven home runs and 26 RBI in 32 games for Triple-A Iowa.

Oscar De La Cruz, RHP – 3-2, 3.24 ERA, 32 strikeouts and nine walks in 41 2/3 innings pitched for Single-A Advanced Myrtle Beach.

Duane Underwood, RHP – 4-2, 4.39 ERA, 33 strikeouts and 16 walks in 41 innings pitched for Double-A Tennessee.

Trevor Clifton, RHP – 3-2, 2.42 ERA, 37 strikeouts and 16 walks in 44 2/3 innings pitched for Double-A Tennessee.

The Chicago Cubs have depth at just about every position. Most of that depth is made up of players already on the big league roster. That means most of these young prospects will have a hard time breaking into the majors with Chicago.

Instead of calling upon some of these prospects to perform at the major league level, the Cubs hope they can perform well to boost their trade value. Prospect value will be huge for the Cubs this summer if they hope to address key rotation gaps moving forward.

Right now, the Cubs have the luxury of having a deep and productive farm system. Even after big name players like Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber graduated from the system, the Cubs have maintained many good trade chips. The Cubs’ front office will likely use some of those trade chips this summer.

Next: Chicago Cubs: Is Tommy LaStella the odd man out?

Don’t get to attached to these prospects Cubs fans, because most of them will be on new teams this time next year.