Cubs Top Prospects For 2009

My take on the top Cubs prospects for 2009. This is a dynamic list that's subject to change over the winter. One thing to notice is that three of the Cubs top 10 prospects for 2008 were moved for Harden. One graduated to the majors. That leaves the list thin on major league-ready talent, but there's quite a bit at the lower levels. I should also note that this is not a ranking. There's a definite hierarchy and you can see the tiers of prospect, but that's about the only distinction. Josh Vitters (3B): The best hitter in the Cubs system in more than 20 years. His vision, hand-eye coordination and bat speed are unrivaled in the organization. His defense should pass at third and is likely in line to crack the ML lineup by 2011. Has all the tools to consistently hit over .300 with 30+ home runs. Great strike zone judgment, but he likes to hit. Who gives a fuck if it was the Northwest League? He was 18 all year. If healthy, I bet he finishes next season at Daytona. 2. Jeff Samardzija (RHP): Normally wouldn't be on the list, but I have him here because I still see him as a starter. As most of you know, his fastball sits in the low- to mid-90s (and can hit the high-90s) with a TON of movement. Good slider and filthy splitter round out his repertoire. He still gets too much of the plate and loses control at times, but he has the stuff and the makeup to be a frontline starter in the future. Dae Eun Rhee (RHP): Dominated low-A ball in his U.S. debut in 2008. Features a low-90s fastball that he can dial up to the mid 90s if he needs, a curve and a splitter-like change. Would have been higher (and might have finished the season in Daytona) had he not been injured. Andrew Cashner (RHP): Reliever or starter? Considered the top college reliever in the 2008 draft by many. The jury is still out on whether he can start or not, as the opinion is polarizing. Throws a high-90s fastball, killer slider and power curve that can all be considered out pitches when he commands them well. I'm sure Wilken likes him as a starter because of his size and athleticism. As a reliever, he's a top-5 prospect. As a starter, we'll seea?? Larry Suarez (RHP): Big righty draws Z comparisons with his live fastball, slider and change. Starting to see refinement on his pitches, so look for him at Peoria this year. Oneri Fleita called him the best Latin American pitcher in 2006. Christ Carpenter (RHP): Pitches in the low- to mid-90s with a sinking fastball that can touch 98. Has a good hard curve and an OK change. Needs to refine control, but induces a lot of weak contact and gets a fair amount of Ks. He's a first-round talent that fell to the third because of injury issues. If healthy, this kid WILL pitch in the bigs. Aaron Shafer (RHP): Was considered a top-10 pick before injuring his elbow. He came back and pitched just as well in 2008 as he did before the injury, but the loss of a few ticks on his fastball dropped him to the Cubs in round 2. Commands his fastball that sits around 90, his big curve and change very well. Had success late in his pro debut. If he finds the velocity he lost after the injury, he instantly becomes the Cub pitcher with the highest upside. Jay "Don't call me Randy, dawg" Jackson (RHP): Moved from Boise, through Peoria and on to Daytona last year, thanks to success at all levels. Features a low-90s fastball, plus slider and decent change. Doesn't have the pedigree of some of the other prospects, but his success can't be denied. Also played OF at Furman. Ryan Flaherty ("SS"): Big lefty doesn't have the power you'd expect from someone his size. He tore up the Northwest League, but it was probably weaker competition than he faced playing for Team USA and Vanderbil. Expect him to move to 2B in the near future. Looking around, it seems I'm not the only one who sees him as Chase Utley lite. Tyler Colvin (OF): His value increases greatly if he can handle CF at the ML level. He has the speed and arm to do so. Lefty can hit well and for decent power, but still swings at pitches out of the zone too much and struggles with strike zone judgment (which improved a bit in 2008). Combining the hitting ability, power and patience he's shown at times (but not usually concurrently) would make him a good CF option. Jose Ceda (RHP): Big-league fastball and slider right now. Control is holding him back. A big, intimidating guy, Ceda can touch 99 with his fastball with relative ease. He might break with the big club in 2009 to get a taste of the pen. With better control, he'll be the team's closer soon. 2010 list possibilities: Yohan Gonzalez (RHP): Big Latin American signing of 2007. Didn't miss a lot of bats in 2008, but didn't walk a lot or give up many hits either. Jeffrey Antigua (LHP): Hard-throwing lefty that gets a lot of weak contact. Pitched well at 17 in the AZL. Should fill out and add velocity. Look for him at Boise or Peoria next season. Lee Hak-Ju (SS): 17-year-old drew rave reviews from scouts, who say he looks better in the field than Derek Jeter did at this age. Played briefly in an Aussie League and will likely make his U.S. debut next season. Ryan Searle (RHP): Aussie pitched well in his U.S. debut, going from Mesa to Boise. Throws two different fastballs, a curve, a slider and a changeup that's a work in progress. Likely our next Sean Gallagher a?" a kid with unimpressive size and stuff that gets results.