on every list so far, there is at least one player who ends up on the Pirates : )

But in general, I believe our system has really moved up last year. There was no debate last year that it was a bad system. I can love the system and be honest. I had hope, but it was a weak system.

A strong 2008 draft coupled with some players stepping up have really pushed this system forward. Year to year, the only thing that matters to me is if the system has improved, but people love rankings, so I’ll throw it out there and see what people think – I think the Cubs system is probably tops in the NL Central (granted, that isn’t really saying much) and that a good case can be made for it to be ranked in the middle tier (11-20). I’ll be curious non-Cubs fans say.

I’ve been working on a top 30, but my top 10 right now stands

1. Josh Vitters, A-/B+. Yes, I have concerns, but let’s wait and see. He’s improved from last year and the scouting reports have always said he had good judgment.

2a. Andrew Cashner, B+/B. He’s really taken huge strides. I’ll be the first to say I did not expect this. I could understand if folks opted for a B here.

2b. Jay Jackson, B+/B. Okay, some folks will say B. I’ll stick with my B+, but I can understand a B. He’s shown improved velocity this year on the fastball. The slider is still a plus pitch and is, by most accounts, a lot more consistent than Cashner’s offering. A lot of reports have suggested that his curveball/changeup have improved dramatically. He was dominant for a stretch in AA, before tough month and the demotion.

4. Starlin Castro, B. Excellent tools, good performance after a huge jump. Good reports on character. Defensive reports suggest the ability is there, so I’m not concerned yet. I’m more concerned about how he adds weight, and how he adjusts to the new weight.

5. Chris Carpenter, B/B-. I was wary of calling this a breakout year when he was in Peoria, but now, I think it’s fair.

6. Hak-ju Lee, B/B-. Solid campaign at Boise so far, showing an advanced approach.

7. Brett Jackson, B-/B. I was fine with the pick, and so far, so good.

8. Ryan Flaherty, B-/B. I was a bit harsh on him earlier in the year, when he had some bad luck, but he’s really put it together, and the reports on his glove have been solid. In an interview earlier in the year, the Peoria coaches said that he was working on fixing his swing earlier in the year, as he was opening up.

9. Dae-Eun Rhee, B-/C+. Consider this a draft pick ranking of sorts – some background from last year, excellent potential. He’s throwing in Arizona right now as he works his way back from TJ. A healthy Rhee, one that showed similar performance to last year, would rank much higher.

10. Kyler Burke, C+. He’s really put together an excelletn year. Took me awhile to come around on this, due to his late Spring/early summer slump.

This knocks out Ryan Searle, who I had also come around on.

One of the most befuddling guys to me is Dan McDaniel. After a hot start, his overall line started slipping and he was demoted to the pen. When healthy, he’s the type of pitching prospect that I like – good sinker, can run a 4-seamer in there in the mid-90’s, a plus curve, and has a change/slider in the backpocket. Every time I look at his numbers over at minorleaguesplits, it gets me more befuddled in some respects, because overall, statistically, he’s had a pretty solid season. I’m glad the Cubs gave him a chance to start. and I hope he gets another shot to start next year.

Biggest disappointment to me is probably Jovan Rosa, a guy I was really high, too high (which I fully admit) on. He had such a sweet swing when it was on, and he had some power potential. Sure, the glove was iffy, and the K/BB was bad, but I hoped it would improve. He got injured early, then struggled with his swing. When he got demoted, they basically said he was having the same swing problems as Flaherty, and that Rosa was trying to go for too many HR’s. He’s bounced back again in Peoria, and he’s still young enough, but with his future likely at first, he has to take a big stride next year, IMO.

Another befuddling guy is Brandon Guyer. Some bad luck in AA, although not enough to make any sort of excuse, and he’s gotten a bit untracked in Daytona, but showing no power. It’s a bit disconcerting, as without power, he loses a ton of value.

Welington Castillo’s glove, according to some things, has improved. I’m still intrigued enough with him, and his bat got a bit better as the season progressed. Adjusting his line for park and luck and you get a pretty decent line.

1) 3B Josh Vitters – Great handle on the zone, but very aggressive on pitches in it. Needs to lay off on pitchers’ pitches in the zone. Health also a concern. Still, he should be a Top 50 prospect in baseball come the offseason because of his hitting tools, production in MWL, age, and ability to stick at 3B. B+

2) P Jay Jackson – Excellent repertoire of pitches, very good control and command, and still has some upside left. B+

3) P Andrew Cashner – The only things that bug me about him are his health (strained oblique coming into the season) and ability to stay in the rotation over the long haul (problem he had in college). Otherwise, his changeup has come a long way this season and his FB and slider are plus pitches. B+

4) SS Starlin Castro – Considering he was named top defensive SS in the FSL by BA, errors are not an issue to me. Low BBs are a concern, but he doesn’t K much, either. Still has room to add muscle, to boot. B/B+

5) P Chris Carpenter – Middle of the rotation stuff, scary health history. Liking his production in AA, though. B/B-

6) OF Brett Jackson – Seeing him in person eased a lot of my fears. He’s aggressive at the plate, but not an idiot. His swing needs a bit more work, but he’s fast and has surprising power to all fields. Very good defensively, too. If he can make it through the FSL in one piece, he’ll be poised for a huge breakout. B-

7) SS Hak-Ju Lee – Defensively fluid, good eye at the plate, good hitting skills. Needs some more power and experience in full season ball, though. B-

8) P Ryan Searle – Love the sinker and the fact that he was 19 for much of the season in the FSL. Still needs work on his secondary stuff and his attitude. C+

9) IF Ryan Flaherty – Defensively competent at three positions (2B/SS/3B) and hitting the ball really well in the second half of the season. Still, he’s a touch on the old side for the MWL. C+

10) OF Kyler Burke – Five tool OF who’s finally producing in the MWL in his third go-round. He’s age appropriate, strangely enough. Need to see him keep this up, though, if I want to be sold on him. C+

Others receiving consideration: P Dae-Eun Rhee (finally healthy, excellent potential), P Jeff Beliveau (reminds me of Rich Hill in good and bad ways), P Casey Coleman (polished with a great attitude, but not a very high upside), P Chris Archer (control is a concern, but he’s handled Peoria very well)

It is looking more and more that Cashner’s floor is as as dominant relief pitcher which is impressive in its own right. Loving his three pitch mix, although his delivery is questionable.

1. 3B Josh Vitters
2. RHP Andrew Cashner
3. SS Starlin Castro
4. RHP Jay Jackson
5. SS Hak-Ju Lee
6. RHP Chris Carpenter
7. OF Brett Jackson
8. RHP Dae-Eun Rhee
9. OF Kyler Burke
10. IF Ryan Flaherty

HM: IF DJ LeMahieu, RHP Chris Archer, LHP Jeffry Antigua