Bullpen Banter started  our NL and AL Central Previews with the Pirates, Royals,and  Astros being released yesterday too).  Today, we've got the Cubs and Indians (our fourth place teams). We've experienced a few difficulties yesterday, but have fixed those problems (mostly). Here is the Prospect to Watch excerpt from these articles:

Cubs:

JD Sussman: My favorite "sleeper" during the season was Hak-Ju Lee, but most Cubs fans know his name by now. I like Jeff Antigua a good deal too. If he makes progress with his slider, he could provide great value as a two or three starter. I would like to see the Cubs stretch him out a little more, he has only thrown 181 IP in three seasons.

Al Skorupa: I'm kind of high on 2B Logan Watkins. Good athleticism and approach. SS Ryan Flaherty is a talented prospect, too.

Michael Herrick: Much like the Cardinals version, the Cubs have a Chris Carpenter with a history of arm issues pitching in their system.  He has above average stuff with a low 90's FB , good slider and a solid change.  His control can disappear at times, but if he stays healthy he looks like a solid #3 starter to me.  Good arm to have behind Jay Jackson(who I'm very high on) and Andrew Cashner.

Indians:

JD Sussman: This is an insanely deep farm system, probably the deepest in the game today. I really like Alexander Perez. He misses bats (22% K/9, 19% swinging), doesn't walk to many guys and also gets balls on the ground fairly well. I think the Indians could push him aggressively to AA.

Al Skorupa: This is a seriously deep system with lots of popular sleepers... but I'm also going to go with RHP Alex Perez. Nice live arm with projection.

If Luis Valbuena struggles I wouldn't be shocked to see a healthy Jason Donald take the job and run with it at some point this season. I've always been a fan. They have a number of interesting back end arms that aren't all that far away: LHP Kelvin De La Cruz, RHP Jeanmar Gomez, RHP Conor Graham, RHP Zach Putnam and LHP Eric Berger. Carlos Rivero and Josh Rodriguez are two infielders who intrigue me despite unimpressive 2009s. OF Abner Abreu has lots of raw power and seems to be a consensus sleeper.

Michael Herrick: I like Perez as well, he's one of many talented arms in the system.  I also like Rivero and Josh Rodriguez, both could be above average regulars up the middle.  My pick here though is TJ House, a LHP drafted in 2008 that did pretty well as a 19 year old in the Midwest League.  Low 90's sinker and a good curve, needs to develop the change up more(but what HS pitcher doesn't?) and cut down his walk rate a bit, but he's got the arm and ability to be special.

Stop by and check out the rest of the previews!