North Side Newcomers

Jackson, Vitters highlight prospects that could debut at Wrigley this summer

From this point forward, more videos will be featured on the Cubs Insider blog.  I hope to use this technique to give readers visual representation of my ramblings.  Like what you see?  Hopefully you'll be seeing a lot more of it as these guys get called up.  The video you see above is top prospect center fielder Brett Jackson talking about being on the 2010 USA team.  Jackson will most definitely debut at Wrigley Field this summer at some point.  Here I run through a few others who will probably arrive at Wrigley for the first time as prospects, with their highest level of ball reached in parentheses.

Brett Jackson, CF (AAA)

Jackson, the Cubs' top prospect according to MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo, played 2011 with the AA Tennessee Smokies and AAA Iowa Cubs for a combined 20-20 season in only 115 games.  He batted .274 but walked 73 times, contributing to his .379 OBP which is a great mark even for a center fielder.  The power continues to develop as the 20 home runs were a career high in professional ball.  The keys the make Jackson such a great prospect certainly include the power-speed dual threat, good fielding range, and a versatile lefty batting approach (he strikes out in the video, but it's a reference point to see his swing).



Josh Vitters, 3B (AA)

If you're a hardcore Cubs fan, you're probably getting tired of hearing about Vitters.  But do not fear, as Vitters is coming off his best season in the minors.  After an awful 2010 where he looked lost in AA ball, he rebounded nicely there with a .283 average and 81 RBIs.  The power is still developing and the patience will have to if he's going to make it all the way, but I think a move to AAA will ultimately determine whether or not he really knows how to adjust to more advanced levels of pitching.  He could start the season in Iowa, and I believe barring any injuries or Adam Dunn-type bad seasons, Vitters will get a September call-up at least.  Take a look at Vitters singling off Marlins pitcher Alex Sanabia.  

Brad Snyder, CF (MLB)

This is not one of the prospects you'll hear about if you do research on the Cubs top prospects, even though in 2010 he hit .308 with a .381 OBP with 25 home runs, 19 steals, and 106 RBIs all at AAA!  So why isn't he a top prospect in the same category as Jackson?!  Well, simply put, he's 29.  Snyder has been a real fine prospect with power and speed in the outfield since 2005 in the Indians organization.  I believe he came over in the Mark DeRosa deal on New Year's Day of 2009, but the Cubs still have only given him 36 major league at-bats betwen 2010 and 2011.  I hope we get to see what he can do, and I think he'll get the chance once Alfonso Soriano or Marlon Byrd is traded this year (yes, I'm still sticking to that).  Play the video for an Eddie Vedder intro.


Robert Coello (MLB)

It barely counts, but Coello debuted for the Red Sox in 2010, pitching in a few games with them before being sent back down then dealt to the Cubs.  He was a highly touted prospect his last year with Boston, and rightfully so with a 9.6 K/9 ratio in his career in the minors.  He regressed a little in 2011 with a 4.19 ERA, but his peripheral stats remained on track with his career averages so I wouldn't be worried.  If Coello can bring the hard stuff in 2012, he'll make it to Wrigley (I hope).  This dude has really flown under the radar so far, but especially the younger generations like my own will appreciate the strikeout stuff.  Cue the Bwostonah (Bostoner) accents.


Back with more prospects soon!