X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Chicago Cubs: Top 10 Dynasty Prospects

fantasy baseball prospects MLB prospects rookies call-ups

Marc Hulet ranks the top ten prospects in the Chicago Cubs' system for 2020 fantasy baseball dynasty leagues -- including a safer former college pick at the top followed by two very toolsy prospects on the cusp of breakouts.

Once the 2020 MLB season begins, it may turn out that minor league systems will be more important than usual. Franchises are losing money during the pandemic layoff, so many teams will be looking for sources of cheap production. It might also take older players longer to rebound from a long layoff meaning we could see more injuries and more roster moves. We might even see expanded rosters, at least in the early going.

One important question to ask is: How will a long layoff affect prospects? One has to assume the more advanced prospects prior to the work stoppage will be at an advantage, while the more “toolsy but raw” type could be hurt with the lack of repetition and in-game action. Throwing or hitting in simulated environments just doesn’t match up to the real thing. Many prospects will have to work jobs during the pandemic just to make ends meet so players who signed for large bonuses or come from well-off families will have an advantage. Other prospects that lack strong discipline and commitment to their craft could struggle to stay in shape.

We won’t really know what the layoff impact will have on baseball in general until things start ramping up. But we do know that a strong prospect pool will continue to be an important element for a successful baseball franchise. Today, we’re kicking off our look at the Top 10 (or more) dynasty prospects in each organization with an eye to discovering which organizations are best positioned to succeed with their player development when games resume. Make sure to check out all of our prospect content, including Top 50 for 2020 and Top 250 for Dynasty Leagues.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

The Chicago Cubs Top 10 Prospects Quick Synopsis

Years of attempting to be competitive have taken a bite out of the Cubs’ minor league system both with lower draft slots and trades involving prospects such as Gleyber Torres and Eloy Jimenez. The system has some high-ceiling prospects but the Cubs also have a tendency to acquire a lot of raw, athletic types.

 

1. Brailyn Marquez, LHP

Dynasty Prospect Rank:  62
2020 LEVEL: A+
MLB ETA: 2021

Marquez doesn’t get a lot of press but he’s an intriguing high-ceiling arm that was quite likely on the cusp of a huge breakout when the 2020 season went sideways. He made huge strides with his control in the second half of 2019 but I have concerns that the long layoff could impact the improvements made last year. Even if things fail to click permanently with the control and command, Marquez is one of the rare southpaws that can hit triple digits with his heater so he could end up as a high-leverage reliever. He backs up the heat with a promising breaking ball and decent changeup which suggests he has the weapons to pile up strikeouts regardless of his future role.

 

2. Nico Hoerner, SS/2B

Dynasty Prospect Rank: 77
2020 Prospect Rank: 33
2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2020

Hoerner isn’t the most electric prospect and will likely settle in as more of a good-not-great MLB contributor. But he’s a safe bet to contribute to a big-league club as a middle infielder that could play multiple positions to increase his value. Hoerner could be a 15-15 (HR-SB) player with the ability to produce a solid batting average, as well. He earns good grades on his makeup, so he should be able to squeeze all available talent from his toolbox.

 

3. Brennen Davis, OF

Dynasty Prospect Rank: 131
2020 LEVEL:  A+
MLB ETA: 2022

Davis was considered a relatively raw prospect when he was drafted out of high school because of his multi-sport focus. But he’s been a quick learner since focusing solely on baseball. Davis oozes tools and has enviable athletic ability. He should eventually hit for excellent in-game power (20 or more homers) thanks to his quick bat and developing frame, while also stealing 20 or more bases.

 

4. Adbert Alzolay, RHP

Dynasty Prospect Rank: 141
2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2020

This young pitcher was beaten around in his MLB debut in 2019 and might be better suited to relief work at the big league level. His fastball-curveball combination can elicit strikeouts but he’s not the biggest pitcher and also struggles with his command — both of which prevent him from working deep into games. Standing just six-foot, Alzolay struggles to generate a downward plane on his offerings and generates too many fly balls.

 

5. Ryan Jensen, RHP

Dynasty Prospect Rank: 209
2020 LEVEL: A-
MLB ETA: 2022

College pitchers that struggle and only find success in their draft seasons always worry me a bit and Jensen is no exception -- even though the Cubs didn’t hesitate to take him 27th overall in the 2019 draft. He’s a shorter pitcher but has an athletic frame so there is hope that he’ll pitch bigger than his six-foot frame. He has an excellent fastball, solid breaking ball, and a modest changeup, which suggests he may be destined for a bullpen role unless he uses this time away from the game to polish his secondary offerings and his control.

 

6. Miguel Amaya, C

2020 LEVEL: AA
MLB ETA: 2021

If we were rating prospects on real-world skills rather than fantasy baseball skills, Amaya would rank higher on the Cubs’ prospect list. His best skills come from the defensive side of his game. He has a chance to produce a decent on-base average because he’ll take more than his fair share of walks but he’s not an overly gifted hitter. There is also a chance that he could consistently hit double-digit home runs if he continues to get stronger and plays every day.

 

7. Christopher Morel, 3B

2020 LEVEL: A+
MLB ETA: 2022

Morel was signed way back in 2015 but he’s still just 20 years old. He’s struggled to add muscle to his very slender frame but he has a lightning-quick bat and could eventually grow into some impressive pop. He reached full-season ball for the first time in 2019 and showed promise but he needs to hone his way-too-aggressive approach if he’s going to find success in the upper levels of the minors.

 

8. Cory Abbott, RHP

2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2020

Abbott is a solid-but-unspectacular arm who has had a lot of success in the minors because he understands his strengths and weaknesses and doesn’t try to be someone he’s not. Abbott has an average fastball but he has a four-pitch mix which helps him miss bats by keeping hitters off balance. If he can show average-or-better command and control in the Majors, he has a chance to be an innings-eating No. 4 starter.

 

9. Chase Strumpf, 2B

2020 LEVEL: A-
MLB ETA: 2022

An offensive-minded second baseman, Strumpf could develop into a solid-but-unspectacular second baseman at the MLB level. He has a chance to hit 30-40 doubles if he doesn’t eventually morph some of that pop into more over-the-fence power. To do that, though, and not wash out in the upper levels of the minors, he’ll need to keep the swing-and-miss in check.

 

10. Riley Thompson, RHP

2020 LEVEL: A+
MLB ETA: 2022

Thompson has shown a fastball that can tickle triple digits and can back it up with a potentially-plus curveball. So why isn’t he ranked higher? He has a checkered past in terms of his health and lacks a third reliable pitch which suggests he could eventually end up in the bullpen. However, for now, he’s an intriguing prospect with a chance to stick as a starter.

More Prospect Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
Max Scherzer

Cleared to Start on Saturday
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Kodai Senga

Could be "in Play" to Return Before All-Star Break
Ha-Seong Kim

Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim From Injured List
Christian Moore

Placed on Injured List With Thumb Sprain
Luis L. Ortiz

the Subject of Gambling Investigation
Jordan Lawlar

to Miss Multiple Weeks With Hamstring Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Receives Encouraging News on his Hand
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Jacob Monk

Sees Plenty of Work With Starters
Avonte Maddox

has Impressed Dan Campbell
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Chicago Bears

Ruben Hyppolite Shows Notable Improvement
Toronto Raptors

Sandro Mamukelashvili Heading to Toronto
Daron Payne

Commanders Coaches Impressed With Daron Payne
Danny Gray

Makes Impression During Offseason Workouts
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dane Belton

Should Have a Role in 2025
Kaiir Elam

Flashes During Offseason Workouts
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Riley Greene

Homers Twice, Drives in Six on Wednesday
Max Muncy

Exits With Apparent Knee Injury
Christian Moore

Exits Early with Thumb Irritation
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Josh Naylor

Returning to Diamondbacks Lineup
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Oronde Gadsden

an Active Pass-Catcher This Offseason
Brashard Smith

Speed Could be Put to Use
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Pat Bryant

Off to a Good Start
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
Cody Barton

Quickly Becoming a Leader With his New Team
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
Montaric Brown

has Worked With Starters
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Ryan McLeod

Inks Four-Year Extension with Sabres
NAS

Predators Bring in Nick Perbix on Two-Year Deal
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
LA

Cody Ceci Moves to Los Angeles
DET

James van Riemsdyk Joins Red Wings on One-Year Contract
Viktor Arvidsson

Traded to Boston
Charlotte Hornets

Spencer Dinwiddie Lands With Charlotte
Josh Jung

Sent to Triple-A
Jurickson Profar

Officially Reinstated and Hitting in Five-Hole on Wednesday
Spencer Schwellenbach

Going on Injured List With Fractured Elbow
Maxwell Hairston

Facing Sexual-Assault Lawsuit
Tai Felton

Rookie Season Likely to be Spent on Special Teams
LeQuint Allen Jr.

to Have Receiving Role for Jaguars?
Justin Walley

Turning Heads Going into Rookie Season
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
Jamari Thrash

Establishing Himself as Reliable Option
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Brandon Woodruff

Likely to Pitch on Sunday in Miami
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
PHI

Dan Vladar Links Up With Flyers on Two-Year Deal
Milwaukee Bucks

Taurean Prince Staying in Milwaukee
Jeff Green

Signs One-Year Deal to Remain in Houston
Los Angeles Lakers

Jake LaRavia Lands with Lakers
Orlando Magic

Tyus Jones Signs One-Year Deal With Magic
Golden State Warriors

Kevon Looney Heads to New Orleans
Milwaukee Bucks

Jericho Sims Staying in Milwaukee
Denver Nuggets

Tim Hardaway Jr. Joins Nuggets
Detroit Pistons

Duncan Robinson Lands With Detroit
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF