Life On The Farm: Chicago Cubs (# 27)

That playoff run that never materialized.... We have enough to try again.... Right?

Graduated To Majors: Sam Fuld (OF, UR), Tyler Colvin (CF, # 16), Micah Hoffpauir (1B/OF, # 12), Jake Fox (UTIL, # 24), Jeff Samardzija (SP, # 2), Mitch Atkins (SP, # 21), Esmailin Caridad (RP, # 22), Kevin Hart (SP, # 6, traded to Pirates)

The Rest Of The Top 10 (with quick commentary)
Hitters: BA-OBP-SLG, AB, HR-RBI, BB-K, SB-CS
Pitchers: G-GS, W-L, ERA, IP-H-HR-BB-K

1 - Josh Vitters: 3B
Lo A: .316-.351-.535, 269, 15-46, 7-42, 4-0
Hi A: .238-.260-.344, 189, 3-22, 5-23, 2-1
Quick Take: Solid at Lo A, strugged at Hi A. Biggest concern has to be the lack of walks (12 all season)

3 - Andrew Cashner: SP
Hi A: 12-12, 0-0, 1.50, 42-31-1-15-34
AA: 12-12, 3-4, 3.39, 58.1-45-0-27-41
Quick Take: 24 starts, 100 innings. Hard to tell what is there, but the lack of home runs allowed (1) is a promising sign if he needs to be converted back to a reliever, which he was at TCU.

4 - Dae Eun Rhee: SP
R: 3-2, 0-0, 7.71, 4.2-4-0-5-3
SS: 2-2, 0-1, 11.25, 4-8-2-1-4
Quick Take: Season in return from Tommy John surgery, so wait and evaluate what he does next year.

5 - Wellington Castillo: C
AA: .232-.275-.386, 319, 11-39, 15-71, 1-0
Quick Take: Hugely disappointing season with a lot of struggles in the plate discipline area.

7 - Starlin Castro: SS
Hi A: .299-.338-.388, 358, 3-35, 19-41, 22-11
AA: .288-.347-.396, 111, 0-14, 10-12, 6-0
Quick Take: Futures Game player, he had a strong breakthrough year, but not much power or plate discipline.

8 - Ryan Flaherty: SS
Lo A: .276-.344-.470, 485, 20-81, 50-98, 7-6
Quick Take: Interesting season, great power numbers for a SS, but some high K numbers and quite a few caught stealings.

9 - Jay Jackson: SP
Hi A: 7-7, 2-2, 1.41, 38.1-30-3-4-46
AA: 16-16, 5-5, 3.70, 82.2-73-7-39-77
AAA: 1-1, 1-0, 1.50, 6-5-1-3-4
Quick Take: Strong season saw him finish with a start at AAA. 127 strikeouts in 127 innings is a good sign.

10 - Hak-Ju Lee: SS
SS: .330-.399-.420, 264, 2-33, 31-50, 25-8
Quick Take: Strong state-side debut in his first season in the states. Intriguing speed and average combination.

AAA: Iowa Cubs (PCL)
Breakout Hitter: Jake Fox (# 24): .409-.495-.841, 164, 17-53, 21-31, 2-1
Disappointing Hitter: Steve Clevenger (# 11): .265-.309-.326, 230, 0-26, 15-31, 4-3
Breakout Pitcher: Jeff Stevens (UL): 42-0, 1-3, 2.03, 57.2-35-1-25-61
Disappointing Pitcher: Mitch Atkins (# 21): 27-27, 8-12, 6.58, 146.1-164-26-52-127
Quick Take: Fox and Stevens parlayed good seasons into playing in the bigs. Clevenger dominated AA for a month, then struggled badly for the rest of the season at AAA. Atkins got to the majors for the 1st time, but it wasn't because of what he did at Iowa.

AA: Tennessee Smokies (SL)
Breakout Hitter: Darwin Barney (# 19): .317-.368-.401, 252, 3-32, 23-33, 5-1
Disappointing Hitter: Tony Thomas (# 23): .251-.341-.389, 427, 11-41, 50-106, 13-13
Breakout Pitcher: Jay Jackson (# 9): Line above.
Disappointing Pitcher: None
Quick Take: Barney has translated what he did at Oregon State to the professionals and looks like he should be ready for a cup of coffee at some point next year. Jackson was strong and looks to start next season at AAA. Thomas had an extremely raw season and has a lot of things he needs to work on.

Hi A: Dayton Cubs (FSL)
Breakout Hitter: Brandon Guyer (# 13): .347-.407-.453, 265, 2-32, 24-34, 23-2
Disappointing Hitter: Jonathon Wyatt (UL): .232-.295-.278, 396, 2-33, 35-67, 9-5
Breakout Pitcher: Andrew Cashner (# 3): Line above.
Disappointing Pitcher: Dan McDaniel (UR): 30-16, 6-9, 4.78, 92.1-101-3-49-79
Quick Take: Guyer worked his way into a mid season promotion at AA and struggled. Cashner was promoted to AA as well for his work in the 1st half of the season. Wyatt got a lot of at bats and provided little production. McDaniel ends up being the posterchild for a staff that had no real pitcher jump out, but had a lot of mediocrity.

Lo A: Peoria Chiefs (ML)
Breakout Hitter: Josh Harrison (UR): .337-.377-.479, 303, 4-33, 16-25, 16-9
Disappointing Hitter: Junior Lake (# 14): .248-.277-.365, 463, 7-42, 18-138, 10-7
Breakout Pitcher: Chris Archer (UR): 27-26, 6-4, 2.81, 109-78-0-66-119
Disappointing Pitcher: Marcus Hatley (UL): 30-16, 6-6, 4.64, 95-103-10-41-64
Quick Take: Harrison will take his breakout season to the Pirates organization while Archer came ovefrom the Indians and had a strong season despite his high walk total. Lake battled a lack of discipline to a subpar season. Hatley struggled to do much in his full-season debut.

TK's Early 2010 Top 10 Prospects:
1) Josh Vitters: 3B
Weakest # 1 prospect out there. Hope to see continued growth out of him. More hype then results right now.
2) Andrew Cashner: SP
If he can get a bump in innings, it would be much easier to get a feel for him.
3) Jay Jackson: SP
One of the few Cubs to have a true "breakout" season looks to continue to build on it.
4) Starlin Castro: SS
Futures Game alum looks to try and make himself Jose Reyes and not Jose Castillo.
5) Brett Jackson: CF
2009 1st round pick has been frequently compared to J.D. Drew for his ability.
6) Darwin Barney: SS
Former CWS hero looks to try and make it to the bigs next season, possibly to fill a hole at 2B.
7) Ryan Flaherty: SS
Above average power shown in first full season, can he continue to use that as a calling card?
8) Hak-Ju Lee: SS
Hope to see him in full-season ball next year, which should clearly put where he stands and what is/isn't fluky.
9) Brandon Guyer: CF
Strong half season at Hi A was quickly forgotten once he went to AA. Can he adjust?
10) Blake Parker: RHP
Reliever made strong mark at AA and AAA (55 games, 77 strikeouts in 63 innings) and appears to be a contender for a bullpen spot next season.

Dropped From Top 10: Rhee (# 4), Castillo (# 5)

Final Overview: This may be the weakest system in baseball. An organization trying to gain a foothold in Korea (which features some of their more intriguing prospects) really is suffering with talent both at the top of the system and the depth below. They really need some breakout seasons next season, primarily from Vitters, Rhee, Cashner and Lee, as well as strong debuts from some of their 2009 draftees, especially Jackson. There is not much help coming for these Cubs.

CIN @ HOU

1) Justin Lehr: FB, Split, CB, Cut, SL

• Lehr came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a split with some dive, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth, a cutter with some cut and a 2-7 slider with some bite.

1st: FB (84-87), Split (81-82), CB (72-73)

2nd: FB (83-87), Split (81-84), CB (71-72), Cut (82-84), SL (78) - 2 Split (Blum, Paulino)

3rd: FB (83-87), Split (80), CB (69-74), Cut (83) - CB (Blum)

4th: FB (84-88), Split (79-81), CB (70), Cut (81)

5th: FB (84-87), Split (80-81), CB (70-71), Cut (80-81) - Split (Bourn)

2) Felipe Paulino: FB, SL, CU, CB. 92 pitches. 12 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, 3 Sliders, 3 Changeups, Curveball.

• Paulino came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a 12-6 curve with average depth, a 2-7 slider with some bite and in 3-1 and 3-2 counts and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink.

1st: FB (96-97), SL (87-89), CB (75) - FB (Votto), SL (Phillips)

2nd: FB (93-97), SL (87-88), CU (83) - FB (Francisco), CU (Bruce)

3rd: FB (94-96), SL (87-88), CU (85-87) - FB (Bruce), 2 CU (Votto, Francisco)

4th: FB (91-96), SL (83-88), CB (74) - FB (Janish), SL (Lehr), CB (Janish)

5th: FB (92-96), SL (85-88), CU (85-87), CB (75-78) - 2 SL (Phillips, Miller)

3) Doug Brocail: FB, SL, CB, CU, Cut. 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Brocail came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut, a fastball with some run in on righties, a 12-6 curve with average depth, a change with some fade from lefties and some sink and a 2-7 slider with solid bite.

6th: FB (89-91), SL (86), CB (77), CU (79), Cut (85-89)

4) Micah Owings: FB, SL, CU. 23 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Owings came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little cutting action, a change with some fade from lefties and some sink and a 2-7 slider with some bite.

6th: FB (89-92), SL (72), CU (75-77) - FB (Matsui)

7th: FB (88-90), CU (76-78)

5) Tim Byrdak: FB, SL, CU, CB. 13 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Byrdak came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with some fade from righties and some sink and a 11-5 slider with some bite that he will throw 3-1.

7th: FB (88-92), SL (80-86), CU (81)

6) Danny Ray Herrera: FB, CU, SL, Cut. 6 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

• Herrera came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with some cut, a 11-5 slider with good bite, a change with plus dive that is basically a screwball, a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink.

7th: FB (86), CU (67), SL (74), Cut (81-83) - Cut (Bourn)

7) Sam Gervacio: FB, SL, CU. 13 pitches.

• Gervacio came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a change with good fade from lefties and some sink and a 3-8 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (90-93), SL (85-86), CU (83-84) - 3 FB (Miller - 2, Stubbs), 2 CU (Nix - 2)

8) Nick Masset: FB, Cut, Split, CB. 13 pitches.

• Masset came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a cutter with some late cutting action,

8th: FB (96-97), Cut (90-92), Split (90) - 3 Cut (Lee - 2, Pence)

9) Jeff Fulchino: FB, SL, Split. 21 pitches. 6 strikes swinging.

• Fulchino came from a high 3/4 release with a 2-7 slider with a little bite, a fastball with a little run in on righties and a split with some dive.

9th: FB (92-95), SL (83-86), Split (85-86) - FB (Phillips, Bruce, Francisco), SL (Votto, Francisco), Split (Votto, Francisco)

10) Jared Burton: FB, Cut, SL, CU. 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Burton came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with some cut, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a fastball with some run in on righties.

9th: FB (88-89), Cut (91-93), SL (83) - SL (Matsui)

Reds Extras (Plus 2 Diamondbacks)

1) Edinson Volquez: FB, CU, CB, SL
5/10: 108 pitches. 16 strikes swinging. 9 Changeups, 6 Fastballs, Slider.

• Volquez is a 6-0, 210 pound righty. The 26 year old has a small frame that appears to be maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release with a classic drop and drive delivery. He has a real long arm action, with the arm straightening out at the bottom of the arm circle and then bending again as he comes back up through the zone. His fastball has good run in on righties and good sink. His fastball is explosive and has some late giddy-up to it. His change has some fade from lefties and some sink that looks like a fastball out of his hand until its late break. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with good bite. His curve is a sharp 12-6 with average depth. Looks like an ace, but will need to come back from TJS with his stuff intact.

1st: FB (91-97), CU (81-82) - FB (Pujols), 3 CU (Ludwick, Duncan - 2)

2nd: FB (91-94), CU (78-80), SL (79), CB (74) - CU (Greene), SL (Greene)

3rd: FB (91-96), CU (79-81), SL (78-80) - 3 FB (Ludwick, Molina - 2), CU (Wainwright)

4th: FB (91-94), SL (78-79)

5th: FB (93-97), CU (82), SL (81), CB (76) - 2 CU (Ludwick, Duncan)

6th: FB (93-96), CU (80-81), SL (80), CB (76) - FB (Barden), CU (Molina)

7th: FB (92-96), CU (80-84), SL (80), CB (75) - FB (Schumaker), CU (Schumaker)

2) Bobby Korecky: FB, SL, CU

5/11: 49 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider, Changeup.

• Korecky is a 5-11, 185 pound righty. The 30 year old has a small frame that can add a little more muscle, but not much. He came from an over the top release working predominately from the stretch with pretty clean mechanics. His slider is a 2-7 offering with some bite. His fastball has some run in on righties and some sink. His change has some fade from lefties and some sink. 4-A pitcher that likely can't be a full-time reliever.

6th: FB (89-91), SL (79-81), CU (84-85) - FB (Bruce), CU (Hernandez)

7th: FB (89-91), SL (78-80), CU (84-86) - SL (Arroyo)

3) Mike Lincoln: FB, CB, Cut, SL, CU

5/11: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Lincoln is a 6-2, 220 pound righty. The 34 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release with clean mechanics. His fastball has some run in on righties and some sink. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with above average depth. His cutter has a little cut. Solid middle reliever who should have another year or two left.

9th: FB (89-91), CB (75-77), Cut (88)

4) Johnny Cueto: FB, SL, CU

5/13: 100 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs, 2 Sliders, Changeup.

• Cueto is a 5-10, 200 pound righty. The 23 year old has a small frame that appears to be maxed out with a strong, athletic build. He came from an over the top release with pretty clean mechanics, though he does have a slight twist in his arm action. His fastball is a pretty straight 4-seam with a little late run in on righties. His slider is a 2-7 offering with good bite. His change has some fade from lefties and some sink. Solid pitcher who should be a fairly solid # 3 who will likely have a Cy Young consideration season on of the years.

1st: FB (90-94), SL (85-89) - SL (Upton)

2nd: FB (91-93), SL (85-88), CU (83)

3rd: FB (91-95), SL (88-89) - FB (Augenstein)

4th: FB (94-96), SL (86-90) - 3 FB (Upton - 2, Drew)

5th: FB (90-94), SL (84-88) - FB (Augenstein), SL (Augenstein)

6th: FB (93-96), SL (84-90), CU (83)

7th: FB (93-94), SL (84-89), CU (83-84) - CU (Ojeda)

5) Bryan Augenstein: FB, SL, CU

5/13: 95 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 2 Changeups.

• Augenstein is a 6-6, 230 pound righty. The 23 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and solid sink. His mechanics were very clean. His change has good fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties. His slider is a sweeping 9-4 with good bite. Like him better as a groundball forcing reliever who should be able to get more velocity and be more consistent with it.

1st: FB (85-92), SL (77-80), CU (80) - CU (Bruce)

2nd: FB (84-91), SL (75-79), CU (77-82) - FB (Hernandez), CU (Phillips)

3rd: FB (87-90), SL (72-77), CU (73-83)

4th: SL (75), CU (83)

5th: FB (86-87), SL (75-76), CU (80-82)

6th: FB (87-89), SL (75-78)

7th: FB (83-88), SL (75-79) - FB (Taveras)

Chart Observations: 9/25: ATL @ WAS

1) John Lannan: 122 pitches. FB, SL, CB, CU. 9 strikes swinging. 4 Sliders, 3 Fastballs, 2 Changeups.

• Lannan came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a straight change with some sink that he will throw to lefties, a 11-5 slider with solid bite and a 12-6 curve with above average depth.

1st: FB (87-91), SL (81-84), CU (81-85) - 2 SL (McCann, LaRoche), CU (McLouth)

2nd: FB (87-91), SL (81), CU (80), CB (74-75)

3rd: FB (89-91), SL (81-83), CU (81-83), CB (73-75) - CU (Jones)

4th: FB (88-90), SL (79-81), CU (78-82) - FB (McLouth), SL (LaRoche)

5th: FB (87-91), SL (80), CU (82-84), CB (73) - FB (McCann)

6th: FB (88-92), SL (80-81), CU (81-85), CB (73) - FB (Diaz), SL (LaRoche)

7th: FB (89-91), SL (79-81), CU (80-83), CB (72)

2) Javier Vazquez: 104 pitches. FB, SL, CB, CU. 14 strikes swinging. 6 Fastballs, 4 Curveballs, 2 Sliders, 2 Changeups.

• Vazquez came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth, a change with good fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

1st: FB (89-91), SL (86), CB (72-76), CU (80) - CB (Willingham), SL (Willingham)

2nd: FB (90-94), SL (79-85), CB (68-76), CU (81) - 2 FB (Bard, Maxwell)

3rd: FB (87-92), SL (83), CB (69), CU (78-83) - 2 CU (Lannan, Harris), CB (Harris)

4th: FB (90-93), SL (84-85), CB (69-76), CU (83) - FB (Zimmerman), CB (Orr)

5th: FB (89-92), SL (85), CB (73-74) - FB (Maxwell)

6th: FB (90-91), SL (83-84), CB (76)

7th: FB (90-91), SL (80-87), CB (73) - SL (Zimmerman)

8th: FB (90-92), SL (81-83), CB (70-73), CU (74-80) - FB (Maxwell), CB (Harris)

9th: FB (91-93), SL (84), CB (69-79) - FB (Desmond)

3) Jason Bergmann: 13 pitches. FB, SL, CB, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

• Bergmann came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 1-7 curve with slightly above average depth, a fastball with some run in on righties and a sharp 2-7 slider with some bite.

8th: FB (93-94), SL (87-88), CB (79-80)

4) Ron Villone: 4 pitches. FB. SL, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

• Villone came from an over the top release and showed a 11-5 slider with some bite and a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink.

8th: FB (90-91), SL (80-81)

5) Saul Rivera: 8 pitches. FB, Cut, SL, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

• Rivera came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink and a cutter with some cut.

9th: FB (90-91), Cut (86-90)