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Chicago Cubs: An intriguing batch of international prospects to watch
There is a ton of intrigue with the current crop of prospects in the Chicago Cubs organization. While the tip of the iceberg is where many fans tend to avert their attention, a group of young international prospects is also keeping things interesting.
Each year Major League Baseball’s international signing period takes center stage. Two seasons ago, it was Wander Franco and Jelfrey Marte. Last season, Victor Victor Mesa, Marco Luciano, and Richard Gallardo.
Of course, it wasn’t that long ago Chicago Cubs fans were excited about a key prospect who came from overseas. Outfielder Jorge Soler once appeared to be a critical piece of the team’s plans. Chicago wound up moving on from the Cuban-born slugger ahead of the 2017 campaign in the Wade Davis trade. But last season, he finally put it all together as a member of the Kansas City Royals, leading the American League with 48 home runs, appearing in all 162 games for the club.
But let’s focus on the present, shall we?
For the Cubs, there is a unique talent flying under the radar as a specific group of guys upped their production and showed up in a huge way. This group of kids, as a few of them still basically are, is still years away from the grandstand of MLB. However, it is never early enough to be hoping and dreaming of a bright future to continue for years to come.
Chicago Cubs: A 17-year-old star in the making
A part of the 2018-19 international free agent class, Yohendrick Pinango, signed from the beautiful country of Venezuela for $400,000. He is an outfielder and just so happens to be just 17 years old. One of the many teenagers who now find himself in the shadows of major league teams, Pinango, spent his first professional season in the Dominican Summer League.
In a sizable 62-game stint covering 274 plate appearances, Pinango excelled. He slashed .358/.427/.442 with 36 RBI, 27 stolen bases, a .426 wOBA, and finally a 145 wRC+. On the smaller size in stature, Pinango did not register a home run during the season and only carried a .083 ISO. Impressively, Pinango also posted an insane 7.3 percent strikeout rate and a 9.9 percent walk rate.
Power, however, is not his top strength in what he brings to the dish. Pinango registered a 5.7-speed score per Fangraphs, which is above-average speed for the scale. Not only does it quantify speed, but it also calculates overall base running ability. It means that Pinango’s main help to the team aside from his overall hitting was his knowledge on the base paths. It will be interesting to see what Pinango’s encore winds up as, as we move toward 2020.
Chicago Cubs: Impactful infielder of the future?
At every possible corner and each turn, I rack my brain when it comes to the Cubs and their infield. Not right now, of course, as the trite trio of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Javier Baez carry the load. The challenge currently residing in the confines of Wrigley is, of course, second base. Enter Ronny Simon.
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Simon joined the Cubs in July of 2018 after the club signed him to a minor league contract. As a current 19-year-old, Simon has been much better in his second season than he was in his first. During Simon’s rookie season in the Dominican Summer League, he struggled mightily to a .185/.321/.262 slash line with zero home runs and five RBI.
In that stretch, Simon’s strikeouts were through the roof, and his wRC+ was horrendously underperforming. Amazing what a single year can do to make a difference. This past season, Simon crushed the competition. In 54 games, Simon slashed .333/.411/.571 with three home runs and 28 RBI. His wOBA jumped from .306 up to .460, while Simon’s wRC+ rose from 83 to 164.
Simon is similar to Pinango in size, if not a bit smaller. Still, as a 19-year-old, there is time for Simon to get stronger and broader if he so chooses. The speed of Simon may be the strength of speed for which he displays. According to Fangraphs, Simon posted a 7.6-speed score rating, which is the upper percentile. If Simon can keep that speed but turn into a ten to fifteen home run guy, he could develop into a lethal weapon.
Chicago Cubs: Outfielders of the future galore
The final young guy on this list is an outfielder who stands at the same size as Simon. Rafael Herrera also happens to be Simon’s same age. A couple of seasons into his professional baseball career, Herrera has been showing up through his first 111 games.
Last year, Herrera slashed a respectable .252/.352/.337 with zero home runs and 19 RBI. A silver lining, if one does exist, is the notice of the 11 stolen bases Herrera swiped. He also managed to post a .347 wOBA with a slightly above-average 106. Still, no matter. A successful season for the rookie.
Next. My personal wish list for the team this winter. dark
This year, Herrera faced the intricacies of a possible sophomore slump and did everything in his power to make it so it would not happen. It did not. Herrera slashed a whopping .326/.429/.449, two home runs, and 27 RBI. Herrera also stole 14 bases and lowered his strikeout rate by almost one percent. It will be interesting to see what Herrera can continue improving on next year.