Chicago Cubs Prospects: Rookie League Players of the Week 8/14-8/21

This week saw some of the Chicago Cubs' (very) young prospects put together some impressive statistical performances. The nature of Rookie League baseball is that the sample sizes are small and the competition level is astoundingly different on a pitch-to-pitch basis (Nolan Schanuel was in Rookie Ball a couple of weeks ago and now he’s in the majors) but if you’re looking for the next wave of prospects that could propel the Cubs to having a top farm system in a few years, some of these names may be present. 

Darlyn De Leon (2B) - De Leon is a small 18-year-old, listed at only 5’8 and 150 pounds. That being said he had a solid week this week going 4-for-14 with a triple, three singles, a walk, three stolen bases, four RBI, and three runs scored. 

Erbin Jaque (OF) - Jaque was one of the few players on the Cubs’ Rookie Ball squads that managed to take one deep this week but at 20 years old, he’s a little more filled out than his counterparts. This week he went 3-for-12 with a single, a double, a home run, a stolen base, two RBI, and a run scored. He wasn’t without his flaws though as he struck out a whopping seven times in those 12 at-bats and only drew one walk. 

Derik Alcantara (OF) Alcantara is still only 18 years old and has a projectable frame at 6’0 and 160 pounds. He had a good week going 4-for-8 with two doubles, two singles, a stolen base, and two runs scored. 

Daniel Benschop (OF) - The 18-year-old only had six at-bats this week but he made the most of them. He went 2-for-6 with a double, a single, three stolen bases, two runs scored, and only one strikeout. He is hitting .271/.320/.443 in 70 at-bats this season. 

Andrws Cruz (IF) - Cruz is a little older than most at this level at 20 years old. This week he was 4-for-11 with two doubles, two singles, three walks, two stolen bases, three RBI and two runs scored. He’s hitting .267/.368/.327 on the year through 101 at-bats. He’s much more of a speed threat than power with 24 stolen bases in just 35 games. 

Daniel Campos (C) - Campos could be another in a loaded group of catching prospects in the Cubs farm system. He’s only 17 years old and this week he went 6-for-9 (all singles) and added a walk, an RBI, and a run scored while also stealing a base. Prior to this week, he had struggled to a 6-for-56 start to his career but he doubled that number of hits this week alone and has hopefully found his footing. 

Jair Jimenez (RHP) - At 21 years old Jimenez is probably too old for this level. That being said, he’s carrying a 2.45 ERA across 25.2 IP this season with 25 strikeouts, and this week he surpassed those lofty stats by pitching four innings across two games where he didn’t allow an earned run and only gave up four hits and two walks while striking out seven. 

Jeral Vizcaino (RHP) - Vizcaino is also 21 years old and is also having a solid season so far with a 2.38 ERA in 34 IP with 34 strikeouts. This week he lowered his ERA by throwing four innings and allowing just one earned run on three hits and a walk while striking out six. 

Fraimin Marte (RHP) Marte is an old man by Rookie Ball standards. At 22 years old this may be his last shot and this week he made the most of it by pitching in 3.2 innings across two games and allowing no runs, no hits, no walks, and striking out three. There’s not much you can do better than that. 

Ronny Lopez (RHP) The 20-year-old had a good outing this week. He started his game and lasted three innings before being pulled for being a bit erratic. He didn’t allow a run or a hit and he struck out two, but he also walked four and hit a batter. 

Wellington Quintero (RHP) Another 22-year-old, Quintero is making the most of this season. This week he threw two innings and didn’t allow a run or a hit while only walking one and striking out two. On the year he’s pitched 26.2 innings and struck out 31 while carrying a 2.70 ERA. He may get a chance at Low-A soon. 

Kevin Camacho (RHP) Camacho is the youngest pitcher to make the list this week at just 18 years old, but he’s got some heft to his frame which is listed at 5’11 and 200 pounds. This week he pitched just one inning but it was perfect. He didn’t allow a hit, a walk, or a run and struck out one.

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