Oscar De La Cruz, Jose Albertos Lead MLB.com’s Updated Top 30 Cubs Prospects
It wasn’t even a week ago that we profiled the changes in the Cubs’ top 30 prospects following the trade that sent Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease to the White Sox for Jose Quintana. Now those rankings have been reshuffled once more with the departure of Jeimer Candelario and Isaac Paredes to Detroit for Justin Wilson and Alex Avila.
Oscar De La Cruz and Jose Albertos occupy the top two spots on the list, with Adbert Alzolay and recent draftee Alex Lange slotting in behind. Brendon Little, another 2017 draft pick, is next, with Thomas Hatch slotting between Victor Caratini and Mark Zagunis. Trevor Clifton and Justin Steele round out the top 10.
Do you notice a pattern here?
There are eight pitchers among the Cubs’ top tier of prospect talent, a relatively seismic shift from what we’ve seen in the recent past. Granted, some of that is strictly the result of attrition. And five of those arms are in advanced-A or lower, which means it’ll be a while before we can even think about them at the major-league level. But the sheer volume of pitchers — 21 of 30 — on this list is exciting, even if the lack of impact talent at the upper levels isn’t.
Michael Rucker and Jose Paulino are new entrants to the top 30, though Rucker likely would have moved up by season’s end even without a trade. Here’s a look at the rankings, but be sure to check out the full roster for more details on each player.
- Oscar De La Cruz (RHP)
- Jose Albertos (RHP)
- Adbert Alzolay (RHP)
- Alex Lange (RHP)
- Brendon Little (LHP)
- Victor Caratini (C/1B)
- Thomas Hatch (RHP)
- Mark Zagunis (OF)
- Trevor Clifton (RHP)
- Justin Steele (LHP)
- Aramis Ademan (SS)
- D.J. Wilson (OF)
- Jen-Ho Tsent (RHP)
- Dillon Maples (RHP)
- Eddy Martinez (OF)
- Chesny Young (2B/SS/OF)
- Duane Underwood (RHP)
- Carlos Sepulveda (2B)
- Jeremiah Estrada (RHP)
- Alec Mills (RHP)
- Keegan Thompson (RHP)
- Charcer Burks (OF)
- Cory Abbot (RHP)
- Rob Zastryzny (LHP)
- Pierce Johnson (RHP)
- Wladimir Galindo (3B/1B)
- Erling Moreno (RHP)
- Bryan Hudson (LHP)
- Michael Rucker (RHP)
- Jose Paulino (LHP)