Bay Area Baseball

1. Josh Vitters - 3B - B+ - ETA 2011 - Comp - Aramis Ramirez
2. Jeff Samarzdija - RHP - B+ - ETA 2009 - Comp - Jake Peavy lite
3. Dae-Eun Rhee - RHP - B+ - ETA 2012 - Comp - Righty Hong Chih Kuo
4. Jay Jackson - RHP - B- - ETA 2011 - Comp - Jerome Williams
5. Welington Castillo - C - C - ETA 2010 - Comp - Carlos Ruiz

The Chicago Cubs minor league system is certainly not a reflection of their major league roster. While their top team reached the playoffs with ease, Chicago’s top prospect has still yet to make an impact on a full season roster. Third baseman Josh Vitters was frequently mentioned in trade rumors but until then he holds the top spot.

Righty Jeff Samarzdija made an impact in the Cubs bullpen and showed that his powerful fastball is effective at the major league level - he could become a starter or a powerful setup man. Korean Dae-Eun Rhee was 4-1 with a 1.80 ERA in ten starts at Low A, he should see time in High A and potentially AA in 2009. Welington Castillo is blocked in the majors and doesn’t bring much power - he should be trade bait. Jay Jackson is a young righty who might profile best as a reliever.

Original Picks
16 Chris Volstad Florida Marlins
17 C.J. Henry New York Yankees
18 Cesar Carrillo San Diego Padres
19 John Mayberry, Jr. Texas Rangers
20 Mark Pawelek Chicago Cubs

New Picks
16 Florida Marlins - Chris Volstad, RHP - Marlins were happy with Volstads 2.88 ERA with the big league club in 08, he looks like a keeper.
17 New York Yankees - Daniel Cortes, RHP - Powerful righthander is a strong prospect for Kansas City, he would be one of the top pitching prospects for New York.
18 San Diego Padres - Jordan Schafer, OF - Toolsy outfielder would bring a real bat to San Diego’s thin lineup.
19 Texas Rangers - Will Inman, RHP - Strikeout artist would be the type of young pitcher that Texas could add to its outstanding stable of arms.
20 Chicago Cubs - Austin Jackson, OF - Yankees top prospect would be a big time outfield prospect for Chicago.

Original Order:
11 Max Scherzer Arizona Diamondbacks
12 Kasey Kiker Texas Rangers
13 Tyler Colvin Chicago Cubs
14 Travis Snider Toronto Blue Jays
15 Chris Marrero Washington Nationals

New Picks:
11 Arizona Diamondbacks - Andrew Miller, LHP - His 95 mph fastball from the left side still shows promise in Florida. Arizona couldn’t pass him at this spot.
12 Texas Rangers - Chris Davis, 1B - They got him significantly later in 2006, but his powerful run through the minor leagues and in the majors in 08 have Davis looking like the future in the middle of the lineup for Texas.
13 Chicago Cubs - Max Scherzer, RHP - Dominated in limited innings last season for Arizona with an abundance of strikeouts. Hard luck robbed him of several wins but he looks like a keeper in the middle of the rotation.
14 Toronto Blue Jays - Justin Masterson, RHP - Red Sox pitcher had a run of success as a starter and reliever this past year while showing that he could pitch in tight situations. Masterson’s build and movement are ideal for a middle to front of the rotation pitcher if he can maintain his health. He would step in nicely for AJ Burnett.
15 Washington Nationals - Jeremy Jeffress, RHP - Triple digits fastball has his ceiling as high as any minor league pitcher around. His drug problem looks to be behind him and Washington wouldn’t need an immediate answer anyways as they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.