AAA

A veteran-laden Iowa roster has been short-handed throughout the first week because of injuries at the MLB level, guys on the COVID list and others on personal leave. Despite the increase in roster size this season, I believe the I-Cubs were essentially playing with about 20 available players in a game or two. Kudos to the team for weathering the storm and finishing their first series with a 3-2 record.

The biggest positive so far was obviously the combined no-hitter the other day. The pitching staff, in general looks strong. The prospects (Justin Steele, Keegan Thompson, Cory Abbott, Dakota Mekkes, and eventually Tyson Miller) have all added a tick or two of velo since 2019, and reports are they are all capable of holding that velo more consistently across outings. The same is true for a couple of the older guys who’ve been around a while (Trevor Megill, Michael Rucker, Tommy Nance). Robert Stock is the kind of veteran, upper-90s arm the Cubs have failed to stock up on previously.

Brad Wieck and Adam Morgan appear healthy and provide enviable LHRP depth beyond Steele. Ben Holmes is currently needed as a starter, but I’d be curious to see what he could do as another lefty reliever.

Rafael Ortega has been pretty impressive from Winter Ball, to through Spring Training and now at the start of the season for Iowa. If the Cubs suffer more injuries, or choose to move some of their pending UFAs at the deadline, I wouldn’t mind seeing Ortega given 100+ PAs in the second half to see if he can break through from AAAA to MLB performer. At 29, he isn’t a long term answer, but I think he could give the Cubs some quality at bats in a variety of roles if needed. The same can be said of Cameron Maybin and Nick Martini.

A couple of younger pickups in the middle infield look to have some upside as well. Sergio Alcantara and Abiatal Avelino are both in the mid-20s and still have utility role potential at the MLB level. Alcantara is the slicker defender and has so far showed a pretty good strike zone awareness. There isn’t much pop, but as a D and switch-hitting 26th man, plenty of teams have fielded worse. Avelino is bigger and flashes some pop in his bat if he can learn to lift the ball more frequently.

It isn’t a flashy team. There are no big time prospects. But more so than at any time in the recent past, the Cubs have plenty of back end starters, middle relievers and role players they can call upon from Iowa who could post replacement level or better production at the MLB level this year.

AA

The Smokies staff has a really nice blend of power arms, power sinkers, high spin rates, finesse pitchers, and varied release points.

Cam Sanders has taken a leap in the rotation. Holding 94-98 through multiple innings after struggling to stay in the low-90s and only touching the mid-90s on occasion in 2019. The rest of the starters aren’t much to write home about, but Brailyn Marquez will join the mix some time soon once he finishes ramping up in EXST. So could Chris Clarke.

The pen has some guys throwing smoke. Manny Rodriguez has touched triple digits in the past and pairs it with a power curve. He’s also trying to add a sinker. A priority UDFA out of Oklahoma State from last year, Ben Leeper has already been posted to AA because he throws in the upper-90s with a potential out pitch in his slider. Ethan Roberts already possessed elite spin and is another guy whose velo has jumped to the mid-90s. The same goes for Bryan Hudson (now throwing his sinker in the mid-90s) from the left side. Brendon Little, up to 93-94 consistently this spring, figures to join the mix at some point too.

With Brennen Davis currently sidelined, there is a little less star power among the position player group, but Miguel Amaya has made a positive impact, as he’s accessing his power within games and continues to improve his approach at the plate. His development looks on track for a 2022 debut. Right behind him is Christopher Morel. The energy is still there, and he is getting chance to show off his athleticism and arm all over the infield and outfield already. I’ve long projected him as a seven position utility man, and the Cubs seem to be prepping him as such. He’s been more selective at the plate as well. Andy Weber has been uncharacteristically booting the ball at SS so far, but his bat looks to have a bit more pop, and is another potential 2022 helper.

Advanced A

Chase Strumpf’s. Bat. Looks. Great.

Cole Roederer looks stronger and hasn’t lost any athleticism. High velo and good breaking pitches beat him in 2019. His hands look a little quicker at the plate and his eye a bit more selective. I’m encouraged by the adjustment, even if we haven’t seen much in terms of results early on.

Luis Vazquez may no longer be the top defensive SS in the system now that Ed Howard is around, but he’s still good, and his strength and approach at the plate continue to make strides. He’s still only a sleeper prospect, but he becomes more interesting every year. Unfortunately he just injured his hand on a slide and will miss the next month or more.

Bryce Windham remind me of P.J. Higgins at a similar age. He is a good athlete for a catcher, who can still move around the diamond if needed. But Windham must gain strength. It took Higgins a little too long to build up his strength to maintain prospect momentum and is now stalled in AAA. If Windham can build himself up a little quicker, he’ll have a chance. Being a left-handed hitter will improve his odds.

He was inconsistent in his first outing, but Ryan Jensen’s stuff looked fine. I don’t see any potential starters among the rest of the current staff, but man, does South Bend have some potential relief arms.

Max Bain is a giant man, with a great story. He’s currently a starter, and one apparently capable of holding upper-90s velo into the middle innings, but my first impression of his athleticism and delivery screamed future reliever. But he could be a good one. Eury Ramos is another high-90s arm. The velo from Cayne Ueckert and Chris Kachmar is a little below that but both have good life on their fastballs.

Burl Carraway looks as advertised as a potentially dominant late inning lefty. Brandon Hughes looks a little stronger and more polished a couple of years into his pitching conversion.

A

It’s a young squad of hitters, and they were overpowered by a couple of Rays pitching prospects who are too advanced for A ball the first week.

There have been flashes from all of the prospects in other games though. Luis Verdugo has gotten off to the most impressive start. He’s put together the most consistent at bats. His swing is shorter than what we saw in AZL highlights from 2019, and his glove/arm combo on the left side of the diamond is still exciting. He’s making an early case to solidify himself as a top 20 prospect. Yohendrick Pinango has also impressed me with his swing, approach and bat control. He’s a hitter, no doubt. Although he already is pretty filled out, I doubt power will ever be a huge aspect of his game, even when he learns to wait for a great pitch to turn on. But I’ve no doubt there is pull power available to him for future use.

Ed Howard has been great on defense and has ripped a few solid hits to drive in runs, but he’s struggled to make contact so far. I don’t have any concerns about his bat speed or swing, so just give him some time to adjust. Second baseman Yeison Santana flashes bat speed and bat control but has been overly aggressive swinging at pitches outside the zone. I haven’t spent much time watching Ethan Hearn or Jordan Nwogu yet.

On the pitching side, there isn’t a consistent high-90s arm right now, but there are plenty capable of mid-90s. Lefties Adam Laskey and D.J. Herz have flashed. They are starters right now, but look more like future pen guys to me. Herz is a great athlete, so maybe he learns to repeat his delivery and harness enough command to start, but he still looks pretty raw right now. Richard Gallardo is bigger, stronger and throwing harder. Jose Albertos has lost significant weight and so far his massive control issues haven’t resurfaced. There are a handful of sleeper relief arms as well, led by Joe Nahas.