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Chicago Cubs 2017 Minor League Stat Leaderboard

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The Cubs are the team we look at today in the minor league stat leaders for 2017.

By Matt Powers
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MLB: Toronto Blue Jays at Chicago Cubs Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

The minor league season has come to a close. It’s a tough time of the year for those who are most interested in the future of a franchise, but the positive is that we can now sit back and dig into what happened on the field in the minors in 2017.

I had this idea with the Braves but decided it would be an interesting look at other teams minor league stats as a way to see if a player really dominated or if there’s possibly someone not talked about who broke out. All 29 teams other than the Braves will be found here, with the Chicago Cubs being the first team alphabetically who has had all teams complete their seasons.

Note to be eligible for any non-counting stat(Batting average, on base, slugging, ERA, WHIP, strikeouts per nine) a player must have enough PA/IP. I’ve set the bar at 250 plate appearances and 65 innings pitched for starters with a 40 innings pitched for relievers. Players who miss those standards but are significant prospects or posted a huge total will be called out in the comments below that stat.

Also all of these stats are cumulative for the 2017 season, so for example Ronald Acuña would be listed with his Florida, Mississippi, and Gwinnett stats together. Major league stats will not count, so for example Rafael Devers won’t get credit for his Boston stats. All stats are for within the organization only, so Eloy Jimenez numbers are split between the Cubs and White Sox.

Batting Average

  1. Luis Hidalgo, DSL/AZL, .349
  2. Victor Caratini, AAA, .342
  3. Fernando Kelli, DSL, .320
  4. Bryant Flete, High A, .305
  5. Orian Nunez, DSL, .305
  6. Vimael Machin, Low A/High A, .303
  7. Taylor Davis, AAA, .297
  8. Bijan Rademacher, AAA, .294
  9. Chris Dominguez, AAA, .284
  10. Tyler Alamo, High A, .281

Luis Hidalgo led the system, but he was a 21 year old who had 217 of his 281 plate appearances in the DSL. He posted solid numbers in the Arizona Rookie League, but it was a short sample and he’s played primarily first base. Victor Caratini was very impressive with a .342 average in his breakout season.

Hits

  1. Vimael Machin, Low A/High A, 130
  2. David Bote, AA, 128
  3. Charcer Burks, AA, 123
  4. Yaisel Balaguert, AA, 122
  5. Tyler Alamo, High A, 120
  6. Jesse Hodges, High A, 120
  7. Zack Short, Low A/High A, 117
  8. Trent Giambrone, High A, 116
  9. Eddy Martinez, High A, 113
  10. Luis Ayala, Low A, 110

Doubles

  1. Jacob Hannemann, AA/AAA, 32
  2. David Bote, AA, 30
  3. Zack Short, Low A/High A, 28
  4. Yaisel Balaguert, AA, 27
  5. Jeimer Candelario, AAA, 27
  6. Victor Caratini, AAA, 27
  7. Taylor Davis, AAA, 27
  8. Jesse Hodges, High A, 26
  9. Isaac Paredes, Low A, 25
  10. Tyler Alamo, High A, 24
  11. John Andreoli, AAA, 24

Triples

  1. John Andreoli, AAA, 8
  2. Darryl Wilson, Low A/AZL, 8
  3. Daniel Spingola, High A/AA, 7
  4. Chris Pieters, Low A, 7
  5. Roberto Caro, Low A/High A/AA, 7
  6. Josue Huma, DSL, 7

Homers

  1. Jason Vosler, AA, 21
  2. Ian Rice, AA, 17
  3. Yaisel Balaguert, AA, 15
  4. John Andreoli, AAA, 14
  5. David Bote, AA, 14
  6. Eddy Martinez, High A, 14
  7. Matt Rose, High A, 14
  8. Jesse Hodges, High A, 13
  9. Zack Short, Low A/High A, 13
  10. Mark Zagunis, AAA, 13

John Andreoli made all three lists for extra base hits after a strong season in Iowa. Eddy Martinez power showed up with 14 homers. Mark Zagunis also made the list in the year which he made his big league debut.

MLB: Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

RBI

  1. Jason Vosler, AA, 81
  2. Yaisel Balaguert, AA, 75
  3. Vimael Machin, Low A/High A, 72
  4. Jesse Hodges, High A, 63
  5. Taylor Davis, AAA, 62

Stolen Bases

  1. Fernando Kelli, DSL, 58
  2. Jacob Hannemann, AA/AAA, 29
  3. John Andreoli, AAA, 26
  4. Luis Diaz, DSL, 25
  5. Luis Ayala, Low A, 24
  6. Zach Davis, Eugene/Low A, 24

Fernando Kelli not only hit .320, but he stole 58 bases in just 67 games.

On Base Percentage

  1. Fernando Kelli, DSL, .437
  2. Luis Hidalgo, DSL/AZL, .406
  3. Mark Zagunis, AAA, .404
  4. Victor Caratini, AAA, .393
  5. Zack Short, Low A/High A, .383
  6. Orian Nunez, DSL, .379
  7. Bijan Rademacher, AAA, .375
  8. Luis Diaz, DSL, .374
  9. Alberto Mineo, Low A, .374
  10. Charcer Burks, AA, .370

Slugging Percentage

  1. Victor Caratini, AAA, .558
  2. Luis Hidalgo, DSL/AZL, .520
  3. Jeimer Candelario, AAA, .507
  4. Matt Rose, High A, .481
  5. Luis Diaz, DSL, .466
  6. Mark Zagunis, AAA, .455
  7. Darryl Wilson, Low A/AZL, .453
  8. Fernando Kelli, DSL, .443
  9. Chris Dominguez, AAA, .443
  10. Vimael Machin, Low A/High A, .438

OPS

  1. Victor Caratini, AAA, .951
  2. Luis Hidalgo, DSL/AZL, .926
  3. Fernando Kelli, DSL, .880
  4. Jeimer Candelario, AAA, .868
  5. Mark Zagunis, AAA, .859
  6. Luis Diaz, DSL, .840
  7. Bijan Rademacher, AAA, .811
  8. Zack Short, Low A/High A, .801
  9. Vimael Machin, Low A/High A, .798
  10. Orian Nunez, DSL, .795

Victor Caratini’s OPS was a surprisingly strong .951, even despite a hitter friendly Pacific Coast League to aid his numbers.

Wins

  1. Manuel Rondon, Low A, 14
  2. Jen-Ho Tseng, AA/AAA, 13
  3. Duane Underwood, AAA, 13
  4. Zach Hedges, AA/AAA, 9
  5. Bryan Hudson, Low A, 9
  6. Duncan Robinson, Low A/High A, 9

Saves

  1. Wyatt Short, Low A, 16
  2. Dillon Maples, High A/AA/AAA, 13
  3. Pedro Araujo, High A/AA, 10
  4. Craig Brooks, High A/AA, 10
  5. Scott Effross, High A, 9
  6. Pierce Johnson, AAA, 9

Starter ERA

  1. Didier Vargas, DSL, 0.99
  2. Duncan Robinson, Low A/High A, 2.21
  3. Emilio Ferrebus, DSL/AZL, 2.21
  4. Michael Rucker, Low A/High A, 2.38
  5. Jen-Ho Tseng, AA/AAA, 2.54

Didier Vargas is an 18 year old in the DSL who posted a sub-1.00 ERA in 63.2 innings.

Reliever ERA

  1. Jhon Romero, Low A/High A/AZL, 0.86
  2. Dakota Mekkes, Low A/High A, 0.98
  3. Daury Torrez, AA, 1.40
  4. Pedro Araujo, High A/AA, 1.76
  5. Fernando Calderon, DSL, 1.80

Starter WHIP

  1. Michael Rucker, Low A/High A, 1.04
  2. Didier Vargas, DSL, 1.05
  3. Jesus Tejada, DSL, 1.05
  4. Duncan Robinson, Low A/High A, 1.09
  5. Adbert Alzolay, High A/AA, 1.10

Jose Albertos and his 1.09 WHIP only missed due to not enough innings at 43.

Reliever WHIP

  1. Jhon Romero, Low A/High A/AZL, 0.62
  2. Eugenio Palma, AZL, 0.90
  3. Fernando Calderon, DSL, 0.90
  4. Pedro Araujo, High A/AA, 0.92
  5. Daury Torrez, AA, 0.92

Jhon Romero was dominant with a 0.62 WHIP, just one of multiple categories he made the list in. Daury Torrez and Pedro Araujo also apprear often.

Strikeouts

  1. Tom Hatch, High A, 126
  2. Jen-Ho Tseng, AA/AAA, 122
  3. Seth Frankoff, AAA, 119
  4. Michael Rucker, Low A/High A, 114
  5. Manuel Rondon, Low A, 113
  6. Adbert Alzolay, High A/AA, 108
  7. Matt Swarmer, Eugene/Low A/AA/AAA, 105
  8. Aaron Brooks, AAA, 105
  9. Williams Perez, AAA, 102
  10. Dillon Maples, High A/AA/AAA

The only reliever to make this list was Dillon Maples, who recorded his 100 strikeouts in just 63.1 innings across three levels. Tom Hatch, a promising arm from the 2016 draft, and Jen-Ho Tseng led the system.

Starter Hits Per Nine

  1. Didier Vargas, DSL, 6.2
  2. Emilio Ferrebus, DSL/AZL, 7.1
  3. Adbert Alzolay, High A/AA, 7.2
  4. Jesus Tejada, DSL, 7.3
  5. Michael Rucker, Low A/High A, 7.6

Another category where Jose Albertos(6.3) would be listed if he qualified. Dylan Cease also just missed qualifying.

Reliever Hits Per Nine

  1. Jhon Romero, Low A/High A/AZL, 3.2
  2. Dakota Mekkes, Low A/High A, 4.8
  3. Jack Leathersich, AAA, 5.1
  4. Craig Brooks, High A/AA, 5.8
  5. Pedro Araujo, High A/AA, 5.8

Dakota Mekkes is another 2016 draftee who had a very solid first full season as a pro.

Starter Walks Per Nine

  1. Casey Bloomquist, High A/AA, 1.8
  2. Aaron Brooks, AAA, 1.8
  3. Michael Rucker, Low A/High A, 1.8
  4. Matt Swarmer, Eugene/Low A/AA/AAA, 2.0
  5. Duncan Robinson, Low A/High A, 2.0

Reliever Walks Per Nine

  1. Eugenio Palma, AZL, 1.3
  2. Dylan Floro, AAA, 1.5
  3. Daury Torrez, AA, 1.5
  4. Brad Markey, AA/AAA, 1.6
  5. Ivan Medina, DSL/AZL, 2.0

Starter Strikeouts Per Nine

  1. Jesus Camargo, Eugene, 10.9
  2. Javier Assad, Eugene, 9.8
  3. Michael Rucker, Low A/High A, 9.7
  4. Matt Swarmer, Eugene/Low A/AA/AAA, 9.3
  5. Seth Frankoff, AAA, 9.2

Dylan Cease was less than 10 innings shy but had a 12.9 K/9 rate. Jose Albertos was at 10.0. Tom Hatch was the first runner up at 9.1.

Reliever Strikeouts Per Nine

  1. Jack Leathersich, AAA, 14.6
  2. Dillon Maples, High A/AA/AAA, 14.2
  3. Craig Brooks, High A/AA, 13.1
  4. Pierce Johnson, AAA, 12.3
  5. Pedro Araujo, High A/AA, 11.7

You knew Maples would rank high here, but up and down big leaguer Jack Leathersich beat him out for the top spot.

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