X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


LINEUP RESOURCES

Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Pickups & Streamers
Rookies & Call-Ups
News and Alerts

Chicago Cubs: Top 10 Dynasty Prospects

fantasy baseball prospects MLB prospects rookies call-ups

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.

Featured Promo: Get any full-season MLB and DFS Premium Pass for 50% off. Exclusive access to our Team Sync platform, Premium articles, daily Matchup Rating projections, 15 lineup tools, DFS cheat sheets, Research Stations, Lineup Optimizers and much more! Sign Up Now!

 

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




LINEUP RESOURCES

Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Pickups & Streamers
Rookies & Call-Ups
News and Alerts

ROTOBALLER PLAYER NEWS

Corbin Carroll2 hours ago

Swats Two Homers In The Motor City Friday
Merrill Kelly2 hours ago

Earns Fifth Consecutive Win Friday
Tyler Glasnow2 hours ago

Leads Rays To Win Over Rangers
Akil Baddoo2 hours ago

Exits Contest With Leg Injury Friday
Leody Taveras3 hours ago

Belts Two Solo Shots In Rangers Loss
Nick Madrigal3 hours ago

Cubs Recall Nick Madrigal Friday
Lars Nootbaar3 hours ago

Not Close To Rehab Assignment
Vinnie Pasquantino3 hours ago

Suffers Injury Friday
Hunter Renfroe4 hours ago

Expected To Come Off Paternity List Saturday
Yu Chang4 hours ago

Expected Back From Injured List Monday
Alec Bohm4 hours ago

Won't Return On Saturday
Max Fried4 hours ago

Still Not Throwing Off The Mound
Eloy Jiménez5 hours ago

Eloy Jimenez To Miss Multiple Games
J.D. Davis5 hours ago

Dealing With Hip Tightness
Jared Goff5 hours ago

Has Complete Command Of Offense
Nick Solak6 hours ago

Tigers Claim Nick Solak Off Waivers From Braves
Matt Manning6 hours ago

Matt Vierling Starting Rehab Assignments
Jorge Polanco7 hours ago

Going For MRI
Dalvin Cook7 hours ago

Jets Would Consider Adding Dalvin Cook
Courtland Sutton7 hours ago

Studying "Ways To Get Open"
DJ Moore8 hours ago

"Developing Rapport" With Justin Fields
Dallas Cowboys8 hours ago

Cowboys Part Ways With Takk McKinley
Brent Rooker8 hours ago

Not Playing On Friday
Joey Gallo8 hours ago

Beginning Rehab Assignment On Friday
Los Angeles Chargers8 hours ago

J.C. Jackson Doing Individual Drills
Ryan Mountcastle8 hours ago

Sitting Out On Friday
Julio Urías8 hours ago

Julio Urias Won't Return This Weekend
Dallas Mavericks9 hours ago

Mavericks Have High Praise For Anthony Black After Workout
Atlanta Hawks9 hours ago

GG Jackson, Julian Strawther Work Out With Hawks
Karl-Anthony Towns9 hours ago

Executives Believe Karl-Anthony Towns Could Be Traded
Charlotte Hornets9 hours ago

Ausar, Amen Thompson Work Out With The Hornets
Grant Williams10 hours ago

Undergoes Successful Surgery On Hand
Jerami Grant13 hours ago

Cameron Johnson On The Pistons' Offseason Radar
Chris Paul13 hours ago

Spurs, Clippers, Lakers Are Possible Landing Spots For Chris Paul
Carter Verhaeghe13 hours ago

Score Overtime Winner In Game 3
Matthew Tkachuk13 hours ago

Scores Late Goal In Game 3 Victory
Damian Lillard13 hours ago

Nets, Heat On Damian Lillard's Trade List
Milwaukee Bucks14 hours ago

Joe Prunty, Patrick Mutombo Join Bucks Coaching Staff
Sergei Bobrovsky14 hours ago

Has Bounce Back Performance In Game 3 Victory
Denver Nuggets14 hours ago

Thunder, Nuggets Trade Various Picks
Charles Oliveira14 hours ago

Returns To Action In Co-Main Event
Beneil Dariush14 hours ago

Set For Huge Showdown
Adam Fugitt14 hours ago

Looking For A Victory On Saturday
Mike Malott14 hours ago

On The Hunt For Sixth Straight Victory Saturday
Brandon Montour14 hours ago

Scores Opening Goal In Game 3 Victory
Jack Eichel14 hours ago

Picks Up Assist In Game 3 Loss
Jonathan Marchessault14 hours ago

Extends Scoring Streak In Game 3
Mark Stone14 hours ago

Collects Two Points In Game 3 Loss
Sam LaPorta15 hours ago

Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta Have Been Impressive
DJ Chark Jr.15 hours ago

Does Team Drills Thursday
Tua Tagovailoa15 hours ago

Has Bulked Up This Offseason
Zach Charbonnet15 hours ago

Could Have Big Role In Rookie Season
Seattle Seahawks15 hours ago

Devon Witherspoon Sees Work In Slot
Justin Fields16 hours ago

Bears Won't Make Justin Fields Robotic
Alexander Mattison16 hours ago

Vikings Plan To Use Alexander Mattison As Starter
DeAndre Hopkins16 hours ago

To Visit With Patriots
Irene Aldana18 hours ago

Can Irene Aldana Challenge The Champion?
Amanda Nunes18 hours ago

A Heavy Favorite Again
Denver Broncos1 day ago

Frank Clark Signs One-Year Deal With Broncos
Los Angeles Chargers1 day ago

Ja'Sir Taylor Has Been The Starter At Slot Corner
Justin Herbert1 day ago

Could Be Going Deep Often
Chase Claypool1 day ago

Getting Praise From Coaching Staff
Chicago Bears1 day ago

Eddie Jackson Returns To OTAs
Carson Wentz1 day ago

An Option For Raiders?
Puka Nacua1 day ago

Receives Praise From Coaches
Sacramento Kings1 day ago

Dwight Howard Wants To Play For Kings
MarJon Beauchamp1 day ago

To Play In Summer League
Tyler Herro1 day ago

To Remain Out For Game 4
Jamal Murray1 day ago

Dealing With Minor Injury
Khris Middleton1 day ago

Has Successful Surgery
Noah Gragson1 day ago

To Miss Sonoma With Concussion-Like Symptoms
Eryk Anders1 day ago

Set For Middleweight Showdown On Enemy Turf
Marc-Andre Barriault1 day ago

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Nate Landwehr1 day ago

Set For First UFC-Numbered Event
Dan Ige1 day ago

Looking To Start Another Streak At UFC 289
Jani Hakanpaa2 days ago

Will Have Offseason Knee Surgery
Adin Hill2 days ago

The Game 3 Starter For Vegas
Sergei Bobrovsky2 days ago

Named Panthers Game 3 Starter
Caleb Martin2 days ago

Gets Going Again In Game 3
Bam Adebayo2 days ago

Has Big Double-Double Despite Awful Shooting
Jimmy Butler2 days ago

Leads Miami With 28 Points Wednesday
Christian Braun2 days ago

Produces 15 Points In 19 Minutes
Aaron Gordon2 days ago

Notches A Double-Double In Game 3
Jamal Murray2 days ago

Makes Finals History With Another 10-Assist Game
Radko Gudas2 days ago

Expected To Play In Game 3
Andreas Athanasiou2 days ago

Signs Two-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Vladislav Gavrikov2 days ago

Kings Extend Vladislav Gavrikov For Two Years
Alex DeBrincat2 days ago

Senators Exploring Trade Options Involving Alex DeBrincat
Timo Meier2 days ago

Set To Begin Contract Talks With Devils This Week
Ivan Provorov2 days ago

Traded To Columbus
Adam Hadwin2 days ago

Looks To Bounce Back In Home Country
Matt Kuchar2 days ago

A Fade At RBC Canadian Open
PGA2 days ago

Matthew Fitzpatrick A Favorite In Canada
Dylan Wu2 days ago

Struggling To Find Form Heading To Oakdale
Doug Ghim2 days ago

Playing Well Heading To Oakdale
Robby Shelton2 days ago

Struggling With Consistency Heading To Oakdale
Eric Cole2 days ago

Making Debut At RBC Canadian Open
Brendon Todd2 days ago

To Play Through Shoulder Injury
Taylor Pendrith2 days ago

Making First Appearance At RBC Canadian Open Since 2015
Aaron Wise2 days ago

Returns To RBC Canadian Open
Alex Smalley2 days ago

Could Repeat Performance At RBC Canadian Open
Nick Taylor2 days ago

Hoping To Find Early Season Form Heading To Oakdale
Nicolai Hojgaard2 days ago

Looks To Bounce Back After Missed Cut Last Week
Keith Mitchell3 days ago

Looks To Continue Strong Play At Oakdale
Rory McIlroy3 days ago

To Defend Title At RBC Canadian Open
Cameron Champ3 days ago

Playing Better Into Canada
Will Gordon3 days ago

A Solid Sleeper In Canada
Corey Conners3 days ago

Looking To Rebound In Canada
Tyrrell Hatton3 days ago

An Elite Option At RBC Canadian Open
Cameron Young3 days ago

Will Struggle In Canada
PGA3 days ago

Approach Play Holding S.H. Kim Back
Jonathan Marchessault4 days ago

Scores Two Goals In Game 2 Victory
Adin Hill4 days ago

Makes 29 Saves In Game 2 Victory
Sergei Bobrovsky4 days ago

Pulled In Game 2 Of Stanley Cup Final
Cole Caufield4 days ago

Signs Eight-Year Deal To Remain In Montreal
Sergei Bobrovsky4 days ago

The Expected Starter Monday
Amir Albazi5 days ago

Extends His Winning Streak
Daniel Pineda5 days ago

Unable To Earn A Victory Saturday
Jesse Butler5 days ago

Suffers Knockout Loss
Victor Altamirano5 days ago

Unable To Earn A Victory Saturday
Ketlen Souza5 days ago

Takes Submission Loss
Muhammad Naimov5 days ago

Shines With Second-Round TKO Win
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos5 days ago

Defeats Abubakar Nurmagomedov
Kevin Harvick5 days ago

Rounds Out The Top 10 At Gateway
Michael McDowell5 days ago

Scores Best Finish In Two Months
Carson Hocevar5 days ago

Strong Start Ends Early
Daniel Suarez5 days ago

Runs A Strong Race At Gateway
Ryan Blaney5 days ago

Building Momentum
Martin Truex Jr5 days ago

. Finishes Where He Began Sunday
Kyle Larson5 days ago

Eventually Moved Up To Fourth On Sunday
Joey Logano5 days ago

Finds Way To Third Place On Sunday
Denny Hamlin5 days ago

Takes Second Place At Gateway
Kyle Busch5 days ago

Wins At Gateway For Third Win Of Season
Kai Kara-France5 days ago

Suffers Controversial Split-Decision Loss
Alex Caceres5 days ago

Pulls Off Action-Packed Co-Main-Event Win
Jim Miller6 days ago

Adds To All-Time Wins Total With Big Knockout
Tim Elliott6 days ago

Dominates To Take Decision Win
Denny Hamlin6 days ago

The Favorite To Win Gateway After Strong Practice
Ross Chastain6 days ago

Really Happy With His Chances At Gateway
NASCAR6 days ago

B.J. McLeod Does Not Start Last This Week
Ty Dillon6 days ago

Starts 33rd At Gateway On Sunday
Gray Gaulding6 days ago

Debuts At Gateway On Sunday
Noah Gragson6 days ago

Begins 32nd For Gateway On Sunday
Ryan Preece6 days ago

May Have Long Afternoon Sunday
Erik Jones6 days ago

Another DFS Possibility For Gateway
Justin Haley6 days ago

Can Move Up On Sunday Again
NASCAR6 days ago

Bubba Wallace Needs To Keep It Together Sunday
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF