网址 http://www.projectprospect.com/chicago-cubs-top-5/ 讨论串 http://projectprospectbeta.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1343 1. Josh Vitters, 3B (8/27/89) When 18-year-old hitters sign their first professional contracts, there’s one theme that just keeps recurring: the fact that most high school hitters have some serious patience to develop. That is, of course, unless your name is Josh Vitters. Already a polished hitter, Vitters carries the potential to both get on-base and slug at a high level. There has been talk that the 6-foot-3, 195-pounder’s average abilities on the hot corner may leave him destined for an outfield corner, but there’s no question that he’ll hit his way into a Major League lineup regardless of positioning on the diamond. Vitters may have struggled to the tune of a .118/.164/.118 vital—in a meager 51 at-bats—in his professional debut, but the next decade-plus of production will more than make up for that in front of the Cubs faithful. 2. Geovany Soto, C (1/20/83) After going just .253/.357/.342 in Triple-A in 2005, Geovany Soto only proved that he needed more time down on the farm. And after posting a .269/.351/.383 vital line in his second stint in the Pacific Coast League in 2006, the San Juan, Puerto Rico native proved that he needed to undergo a big change. Soto did just that, making large modifications by first getting smaller. After losing 30 pounds in the offseason, Soto shined in his third Triple-A stint, posting a mind boggling .353/.424/.652 vital and imposing .444 wOBA in 2007. While attaining numbers such as these at the Major League level is very unlikely to say the least, Soto definitely carries the rare potential of become a slugging big league backstop in a ballpark near you soon. 3. Kosuke Fukudome, OF (4/24/77) At 29 years of age, Kosuke Fukudome enjoyed the best season of his professional career in 2006, posting a stellar .351/.438/.653 vital line. Unfortunately for his new employer, this showing helped the Chunichi Dragons a whole lot more than the Chicago Cubs. And unfortunately for Fukudome, he experienced a major power outage one year later (his slugging percentage fell 133 points to .520) in his final season prior to heading to the United States. Hailing from Kagoshima, Japan, Fukudome projects to be a solid Major League hitter, with some forecasting a solid vital between .285/.360/.455 and .295/.380/.475. But seeing as Fukudome will turn 31 in April, he simply doesn ’t have a high enough longevity quotient remaining to tab a higher selection on this list. 4. Sean Gallagher, RHP (12/30/85) Posting WHIPs of 1.28 and 1.13 in Double-A and Triple-A, respectively, a season ago, Sean Gallagher was ready for a taste of Wrigley Field and Major League Baseball. The Majors, however, must have tasted horrible, as Gallagher walked 12 batters while striking out five in (resulting in a 0.42 K/BB rate and 2.11 WHIP) in 14.2 innings with the Cubs. While this first nibble suggested that the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder needed a tad more MiLB seasoning, a 14.2-inning sample should be viewed as just that. Gallagher netted a 22.7% strikeout rate (2.85 K/BB) in Triple-A last season. Having just turned 22, there’s no reason not to expect the former 12th-rounder to start finding that kind of form at the Major League level as early as next season. 5. Josh Donaldson, C (12/8/85) Taken with the No. 48 overall pick this past June, Josh Donaldson has wasted little time proving himself worthy of being the Cubs’ sandwich round selection. In 203 Northwest League (A-) at-bats, the 6-foot, 195-pounder posted an impressive .346/.470/.605 vital line, thanks in part to a keen eye (37:34 BB to K) at the dish. Behind the dish, Donaldson’s inexperience still shows at times. The Auburn University product started his collegiate career as a third baseman before moving behind the plate. Some believe he’ll become a solid defensive catcher; some believe he’ll move off the position—maybe even to second base. Regardless of what vantage point he ends up seeing the field from on defense, Donaldson has a Major League slot in waiting as long as he remembers to bring his bat with him to the plate. Honorable Mentions: After tabbing Vitters and Donaldson with their first two selections, the Cubs didn’t let up on brining in more blue-chip talent this past draft. Third-rounder Tony Thomas (2B, 7/10/86) went .309/.404/.547 in the Northwest League in his pro debut, but will lose some value if his lackluster defense causes him to move away from second base (the Cubs, however, plan on keeping him there). While he didn’t experience much success in High-A (1.65 WHIP), Jeff Samardzija (RHP, 1/23/85) started making strides in his six Double-A starts, posting a 1.22 WHIP and 2.22 K/BB rate in 34.1 innings. Ranked No. 38 in our Preseason Top 100, Donald Veal (LHP, 9/18/84) had a hard time replicating his High-A success from 2006 in Double-A in 2007, falling off from a 1.09 WHIP to 1.53 number a season ago. The fact that he walked 12.5% of all would-be hitters suggests that his future may now be best suited for the bullpen. And from the department of developing, toolsy talents, be sure not to overlook Tyler Colvin (OF, 9/5/85) or Eric Patterson (2B, 4/8/83). --

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