Chicago Cubs Top 20 In Review

by John Sickels on Jul 19, 2025 5:31 PM EDT Comment 19 comments

The Cubs list was first Posted November 19, 2025. Here is a look at how things have turned out. Remember this is the PRE-SEASON LIST!!!!!!! THIS IS NOT A NEW LIST!!!!!

1) Josh Vitters, 3B, Grade B+
     Now hitting .344/.386/.508 for short-season Boise. Has yet to prove himself at higher levels but is still very young.
2) Geovany Soto, C, Grade B+
     Hitting .288/.368/.519 for the Cubs. Looking good.
3) Sean Gallagher, RHP, Grade B
     Traded to Oakland in the Harden deal. Was holding his own in major league action. 4.25 ERA with 56/25 K/BB in 66 innings in the majors.
4) Eric Patterson, 2B-OF, Grade B
     Traded to Oakland. Hitting .333/.371/.565 in Triple-A. Change of scenery could help him a lot.
5) Tyler Colvin, OF, Grade B
      HItting .238/.306/.374 for Double-A Tennessee. Walk rate is up, but production is down.
6) Josh Donaldson, C, Grade B
     Traded to Oakland. A very disappointing season, hitting .217/.276/.349 in the Midwest League. On fire since the trade, hitting .433/.485/.867 for Stockton.
7) Donald Veal, LHP, Grade B-
     3.67 ERA with 80/54 K/BB in 103 innings for Double-A Tennessee. Command is still a big problem here.
8) Jeff Samardzija, RHP, Grade B-
     Was pitching poorly in Double-A. Promoted to Triple-A and suddenly started throwing strikes and pitching better. I have no clue at all what to expect out of this guy.
9) Jose Ceda, RHP, Grade B-
      1.65 ERA with 23/3 K/BB in 16 innings since being promoted to Double-A. All a matter of control for him.
10) Tony Thomas, 2B, Grade B-
      Hitting .271/.323/.411 with 16 steals in the Florida State League. Doing OK, capable of better.
11) Billy Petrick, RHP, Grade C+
     Has pitched just 11 innings in the Florida State League.
12) Kevin Hart, RHP, Grade C+
      Effective in the minors (3.35 ERA with 48/15 K/BB in 40 innings for Iowa), horrible in the majors (7.23 ERA with 14/13 K/BB in 19 innings).
13) Sam Fuld, OF, Grade C+
     Hitting .249/.348/.367 for Double-A Tennessee, obviously disappointing.
14) Jake Fox, C-1B, Grade C+
      Hitting .279/.364/.485 in Double-A. No real change, just a year older now.
15) Allesandro Maestri, RHP, Grade C+
      3.69 ERA with 66/27 K/BB in 78 innings in A-ball, just promoted to Double-A has 6.55 ERA with 10/3 K/BB in his first 11 innings, 14 hits allowed. Currently on the DL
16) Steve Clevenger, C, Grade C+
       .304/.390/.370 for Daytona. Good batting average and OBP, no power.
17) Mitch Atkins, RHP, Grade C
       Combined 11-6, 3.59 with a 95/31 K/BB between Double-A and Triple-A. Having a good year.
18) Mark Holliman, RHP, Grade C
        Combined 5.35 ERA and 54/41 K/BB in 69 innings with 78 hits between Double-A and Triple-A. NOT having a good year. Don't like the component ratios.
19) Matt Craig, 3B, Grade C
        Hitting .347/.500/.544 between Double-A and Triple-A, in 47 games. Excellent strike zone judgment this year.
20) Larry Suarez, RHP, Grade C
       Has pitched just 1.2 innings in the Arizona Rookie League. Two strikeouts, but three runs allowed.
21) Ryan Acosta, RHP, Grade C
        Made eight starts at Peoria (4.19 ERA with 25/9 K/BB in 34 innings) but now in the Arizona Rookie League.

As I wrote in the original commentary on the original list, the Cubs had a bunch of C+/C types and the list could vary greatly depending on what you wanted to emphasize. The Oakland trade obviously cuts the top of the system, at least the pre-season list.

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Donaldson

if this cal league resurgence is legit, whats his upside long term? maybe replacing kurt suzuki in a few yrs?

by Asfan4ever723 on Jul 19, 2025 9:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A few comments from a Cubs fan

Vitters - defense is still a question, although there have been better reports of late. The bat still looks intriguing. One problem he faces is that there really isn’t a spot for Vitters at Low A. Rosa looks promising and Riedling got the bump up, while Bautista is absolutely raking (and old for the level, and we had another one in Lalli this year who is showing he can survive, although it was a unique situation as it was only the 2nd year of pro ball for Lalli).

Donaldson - At the end of it, performance still matters. That said, all year, there were reports that Donaldson’s was actually making good contact and had fixed some holes in his swing. Defense is still average at best behind the plate. I think they’ll keep Josh behind the plate as long as possible, but it wouldn’t surprised me if he was moved off it at some point, to maximize the bat.

Colvin - I think even the most optimistic Colvin fan expected struggles … but nothing like this. Just an awful year.

Veal - It’s nearing the stage (although not there yet, I’d give it until early-mid 2009) where it might be time to ponder a move to the pen.

Samardzija - To be fair, Samardzija, who I’m not huge on, started fine, struggled in May, and was good in June. It’s not as if he was pitching horrid all year. I’m still not sure what to make of him. Command is still a bit of a concern, but the Cubs have picked the right times to advance him, even if people were caught off guard.

Ceda - Cashner gets a lot of pub for being the new kid - Ceda is still better. I think Ceda could help now.

Thomas - Horribly disappointed. The K/BB rate is awful.

Other names:

Robert Hernandez - He should’ve been on the preseason top 15, if not borderline top 12. He did get the PED issue, has been up and down in his return.

Dae-Eun Rhee - Durability is a big concern.

Jovan Rosa - Can he develop power and defense?

Rebel Ridling - Looks very intriguing, although average has plummeted. One of the few guys with good raw power in the system.

Brandon Guyer - If he can make consistent contact, he has all the tools to be very intriguing.

Casey Lambert - Nasty breaker, solid fastball - if it smells like a future LOOGY, it very well could be.

Jeremy Papelbon - after a hiccup, he’s bounced back and may be primed to be in AA later this year.

I’ll make another post later.

by toonsterwu on Jul 19, 2025 11:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tyler Colvin

The pick surprised me at the time, and it’s not looking much better now.

by Ox on Jul 20, 2025 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

On the pick

I didn’t have a problem with the pick then. A few days before that draft, I remember folks were talking about Colvin moving up … from being a late first status (IIRC, the White Sox were rumored to be intrigued). Most reports suggested that he had crept his way up and was near a mid-first round status at the point of the draft. Now, if the pick was because they were saving up money for Samardzija, then that would annoy me. But if they really thought he worked there, then I’m fine with it. I doubt that was the case, though, as we shelled out money for Rundle, Huseby, and Andersen (bleh, Steve Blass, and semi-intriguing but can’t get going).

Now, I didn’t expect Colvin to be a stud. I didn’t think he’d move that fast either, as I only expected him to reach AA this year to be honest. I think last year’s semi-success at AA got me a tiny bit excited. One theory making the rounds seems to be that Colvin has somewhat lost his natural instincts as he tries to force more plate discipline. He was always a free swinger, and the questions used to be about if he had enough coverage to compensate. Now, he’s increasing his discipline, but his natural reaction seems off. There’s been flashes, though.

Cubs finally moved him out of the 3 hole in Tennessee. Maybe that will help.

by toonsterwu on Jul 20, 2025 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Response

Um, Vitters was the 3rd overall pick in a draft and the Cubs gave him like $3 million to sign . . .so whenever he’s ready, I’d say there’s a place waiting for him at any level, regardless of who happens to already be there.

Not a particularly good year for this team in the minors, but considering Soto’s success, the Cubs’ ability to turn three of these guys into a premium major league piece in Harden, and the steady improvement of Ceda and Samardzija, it hasn’t been too bad, either.

by mrkupe on Jul 20, 2025 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Disagree to an extent

I think that they are going to give sweet swinging Jovan Rosa a shot at 3rd. Now, there’s big questions if he can stick at 3rd, but there are questions with Vitters as well. There’s also Marquez Smith ahead, and while he was an older guy beating up on younger competition, the reports have been very positive, although defense is an issue.

Now, what might end up happening is that Smith gets tried at 2nd, which they did earlier this year. Rosa might have to go to first, and Rosa might get a bump up later this year, although Canzler has hit better of late.

I know most people are like “Rosa-who?” but Rosa has a very nice swing and has the potential to have solid power as a corner IF - if that power develops.

by toonsterwu on Jul 20, 2025 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rosa

has played more games at first base this season than third. Doesn’t sound like someone they’re committed to making a third baseman out of.

I agree with mrkupe. You don’t let players like Jovan Rosa or Rebel Ridling block a player like Vitters. If they do, Oneri Fleita deserves to get fired tomorrow. If the team is concerned about Rosa’s playing time, they just promote him to Daytona and let Russ Canzler DH or move Smith back to second base.

Josh Vitters will be in Peoria in less than a week. They’re going to be sure that he’s there to showcase him to the fans at Wrigley on July 28. They want him at that game and he’ll be there.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Jul 20, 2025 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Peoria

Hopefully he’s there within the next couple days. He has missed Boise’s last 2 games. Either that means he’s moving OR the tendinitis is acting up again.

by rutgersjpm on Jul 20, 2025 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reason Rosa was playing first

was because Marquez Smith was playing third. Most indications when Rosa signed were that they were going to try him at 3rd. I think they’ll give him every chance to develop as a third baseman, but his glove is an issue. Smith’s glove isn’t that big an issue at 3rd, but it becomes an issue at 2nd.

I’ll take a wait and see approach on when they move Vitters up. He’ll be up at Peoria, but I expect it’ll be when Rosa gets bumped up to Daytona. I don’t think they’ll make a move for publicity’s sake - that hasn’t been how the organization has operated its system in recent years. Now, if Rosa gets bumped up, then sure, I could perhaps see Vitters. But I won’t be surprised if they keep Vitters there at Boise to give him time to develop at 3rd, as the defense is still inconsistent.

Only time will tell. Let me be clear - Do I want Vitters at Peoria this year? Yes, without a doubt. Do I think Vitters will get there? Yes, without a doubt. Do I think they should force guys aside for Vitters? No. Do I think they will force guys aside for Vitters? No.

But again, only time will tell. The organization has always stuck to a gut feeling on when they feel the right time to move a guy is. With Samardzija and some, they’ve been solid. With others, they’ve missed. But they’ve stuck to their guns in recent years and haven’t been really flopping guys back and forth, outside of pen arms.

by toonsterwu on Jul 21, 2025 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rhee

Has recently had TJ surgery.

by rdf8585 on Jul 20, 2025 12:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jeff Samardzija

Just struck out nine and walked one in six innings today. Only two hits and one run.

I don’t think he’s from this dimension.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Jul 20, 2025 5:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

His fourth straight start with good K numbers

As a Brewers fan, I disapprove of this revolting development.

BCB's "very own marginally deserving all-star!"

by battlekow on Jul 20, 2025 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't know for sure

But it would appear from this that the Cubs were having Samardzija work on things up until now and at AAA they are letting him loose.

Baseball Instructor - www.frozenropes.com

by HuskerBob on Jul 21, 2025 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Patterson

I’ve only seen him play at the major league level, but he’s 25 and hasn’t shown any ability to have a clue about how to stick in the big leagues. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t see any time in an A’s uniform, because I just don’t think he’s going to ever hit major league pitching (and his defense is terrible).

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jul 21, 2025 2:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Geren said yesterday that he'd be the regular LF until further notice

When you have a chance to get a guy like Sean Gallagher, you take it!

by WaddellCanseco on Jul 28, 2025 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Atkins

Is a really good looking player. Not overpowering but his stuff is solid and he can really mix that breaker in with a good FB.

REALLY good hitter too.

by nms on Jul 21, 2025 10:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Billy Petrick

Does anyone know why Petrick has only 11 IP this year?

Play ball!

by tmannino on Jul 21, 2025 3:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Injury

I don’t quite remember what happened to him but I’m pretty sure that he got injured.

I am like your Dan Aykroyd and biglow would be Jane, the ignorant slut. -Chad

by thecoolest on Jul 21, 2025 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't know if anyone will see this

But on the Cubs board, a guy who is out in Boise and has very good information on the Boise club, is indicating that Vitters may only be up for Tuesday’s game, and then sent back to Boise thereafter. Now, how the suspensions from the brawl are handed out may change things.

by toonsterwu on Jul 26, 2025 12:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs