USA Today's 100 Names You Need to Know (Baseball)

by bren on Feb 6, 2009 8:41 AM CST

Pretty interesting article here, listing the top 100 Baseball Names You Need to Know in 2009: Some Interesting Cubs related players in there

At no. 2

2. Travis Snider, OF, Blue Jays: Toronto's need for a slugger — it finished 10th in the American League in home runs last year — and this 21-year-old's power seem to form a perfect confluence. The left-handed batter can also hit for average and to all fields. The 14th overall pick in 2006, Snider has torn through the minors, but a sore elbow in spring training last year slowed him from having an even more impressive season. He is the front-runner to start in left field.

That Colvin pick keeps looking worse and worse

9. Matt Wieters, C, Orioles: It's rare for a catcher to ascend to the major leagues after one professional season, but Wieters, 22, is just that — rare. His full-season pro debut was so powerful that it probably muted any concerns he doesn't have the requisite games caught in the minors to be big-league ready. He's almost certain to play in Baltimore this season, and the trade of Ramon Hernandez (Gregg Zaun was signed as a stopgap) paves the way for him to take over the full-time job sooner rather than later.

The Cubs couldve taken him, but went with Vitters at no 3 overall, while Wieters went no 5. This one stings less, of course, since the rise of Soto; but he was far from a sure thing when the Cubs where drafting in 2007.

30. Luis Montanez, OF, Orioles: It took a long time for Montanez, 27, to go from the third pick in the 2000 draft — by the Chicago Cubs, as a shortstop — to an outfield prospect for Baltimore. It wasn't until last season, when he won the Class AA Eastern League triple crown, that Montanez finally put it all together. He went on to bat .295 in 38 games with the Orioles, earning a chance to compete for an outfield spot. Montanez is still far from a finished product. His routes in the outfield and selectivity at the plate need work.

52. Felix Pie, OF, Orioles: Pie, who turns 24 this month, was in the Cubs' outfield picture the last two seasons but couldn't overcome the club's acquisitions of veterans Reed Johnson and Jim Edmonds to earn regular playing time. He'll get the chance to become a starter with the Orioles, who traded Garrett Olson and Henry Williamson to acquire him in January. In 130 games for the Cubs, Pie batted .223 with three homers and 11 steals. He has been prone to strikeouts (72 in 260 major league at-bats). A left-handed hitter, he has shown good speed and has been successful on 11 of 12 steal attempts in the majors.

Samardzija checks in at no 59 and has his own story, Here

Eric Patterson is also mentioned at no 89

Its a good list and worth a look

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

Orioles have much potential

however, its the O’s, so it won’t happen

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Feb 6, 2009 8:47 AM CST reply actions

Well their division certainly makes it harder

But they got some good pieces in Markakis, Wieters, Roberts and Guthrie

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Feb 6, 2009 8:59 AM CST up reply actions

Guthrie

I think Guthrie is overrated. He’s the ace of a bad team, but imo, he’s really a middle of the rotation starter. Certainly, there’s value, solid value in that, but I certainly wouldn’t make him a core building block in regards to making him untouchable. If a team came calling, if I was McPhail, I’d listen if I could get a good enough package, and considering the cost of pitching, teams may inquire. That said, I doubt McPhail would move him unless he’s overwhelmed.

by toonsterwu on Feb 6, 2009 9:14 AM CST up reply actions

well you need mid-rotation guys to succeed

At that might be all they have at this point (not to familiar with their minors) so I dont know that youd cast him off just like that b/c hes not an ace.

Roberts should be traded as he’s older than the rest and presumably has fewer peak years, but we’ve been down that road before

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Feb 6, 2009 9:17 AM CST up reply actions

their big problem is

That they need their pitching to develop quick enough while they can still control their top young positional options. Their SP is one of the worst in the majors right now (hmm … I’ve got a for fun post stashed away for that when I have time). The lineup isn’t that bad, actually, but they are waiting on their young arms. Well … most of them are likely to start in A ball in 2009, with a few in AA. The attrition rate for pitching makes it highly likely that many of those won’t pan out, but some of them should, and they could add another top arm asset in this year’s draft.

by toonsterwu on Feb 6, 2009 9:13 AM CST up reply actions

Agreed, their pitching in general is pretty terrible

I think they’re still at least 2 years from putting anything together.

They’re moving in the right direction though. That outfield looks fantastic; they just need to develop some more young position players, trade Roberts and the underrated Huff, and hope that guys like Guthrie can develop into quality major league starters.

by Wreckard on Feb 6, 2009 9:44 AM CST up reply actions

they have the potential to lose 90 games with that pitching staff

whatever happens Angelos deserves it.

Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by DC Cubbie on Feb 7, 2009 9:59 AM CST up reply actions

Interesting Read

But part of me sort of feels like it was a “We’ve got to put something out, so let’s scramble to put something together, but it has to be slightly different”. I mean, some of those names on there don’t really intrigue me for 2009. Utility infielders? Stopgap outfielders and 3rd basemen? Middle relievers? Backup corner IF’s?

I don’t know how they came up with the list, but off the top, there’s a handful of “next wave” guys that seem more important than some of the guys they listed (and could make an impact in 2009. That said, it’s an interesting read.

by toonsterwu on Feb 6, 2009 9:20 AM CST reply actions

Interesting note on Montanez.

He is “far from a finished product”? When exactly do they expect him to be “finished”? He’s been in pro ball for nine years!

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Feb 6, 2009 9:52 AM CST reply actions

Unfinished As Outfielder (Supposedly)

I think “far from a finished product” means the Orioles think he could still develop into a good outfielder with learning better routes to balls. Maybe, in the same way, Soriano is far from a finished product as a leftfielder. He still needs to work on his routes to balls. I’m glad Montanez made it to the big leagues, but I don’t envision him becoming a great outfielder.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Feb 6, 2009 2:22 PM CST up reply actions

well it says his selectivity a the plate also needs work

that has noting to do with the outfield.

Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by DC Cubbie on Feb 7, 2009 10:00 AM CST up reply actions

Found it interesting to see

Ivan Dejesus Jr. I didn’t know that Dejesus had a son who plays shortstop for the Dodgers

Derrick Rose-2009 ROTY Tyrus Thomas-2009 MIP...hope I'm at least half right

by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on Feb 6, 2009 10:33 AM CST reply actions

DeJesus is a good prospect

And he’s likely Furcal’s long term replacement, with solid offensive skills to match, by most accounts, a good glove for short.

by toonsterwu on Feb 6, 2009 10:44 AM CST up reply actions

Agreed.

He’s got a chance to be a better player than his dad was. Granted, Ivan DeJesus Sr. wasn’t an outstanding SS, but he was a decent everyday player for a decade and had over 1000 career hits, in a lower-offense era.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Feb 6, 2009 10:46 AM CST up reply actions

What does it say that only one actual Cub made the list?

To me it means this next 2-3 years is critical b/c there isnt much help coming from within-But Im really liking Samardzija’s attitude going into the season and I hope he can make it as a starter

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Feb 6, 2009 11:51 AM CST reply actions

1 freakin Cub is pretty sad

However I maintain that we are seeing the fruits of our minor league system on the major league field right now. Be it guys who we brought up through the system, or guys we got by trading our prospects.

Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.

by nji232 on Feb 6, 2009 12:21 PM CST reply actions

Maybe, thats a bit of a stretch

Hendry was able to take advantage of a firesale to get Lee for Choi, ditto on the Ramirez deal.

Dempster, Lilly, Soriano, Bradley, Fukudome, Johnson all free agents

So I think Zambrano, Soto, Marmol and Theriot are the only true home grown Cubs, the first three being the only impact players

The farms system just hasnt been that good the past decade and perhaps even further back than that.

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Feb 6, 2009 12:32 PM CST up reply actions

Other Unproven Homegrown Products

They would be Samardzija, Sean Marshall, Hoffpauir. The Cubs got Ascanio from the Braves Fontenot came from the Orioles organization. I don’t know of any other homegrown products that Bren didn’t list that stand a good chance to be on the 25-man roster at this point

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Feb 6, 2009 2:50 PM CST up reply actions

lets look at this same list

in 5 years and see how many actually make it and produce

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 6, 2009 9:06 PM CST reply actions

Guzman should have made the list

if the reports are true about the way he is throwing then he is going to be a stud

Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by DC Cubbie on Feb 7, 2009 10:02 AM CST reply actions

Presuming he stays healthy, which has always been an issue.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Feb 7, 2009 12:08 PM CST up reply actions

So are any of these lists....

available from 8, 10, 12 years ago? How’d all those prospects turn out? How’d they turn out compared to their ranking shortly after they were drafted? How long did it take for them to get to the majors? How many were a bust?

Yeah, it’s a great story to have your home grown talent be the major cogs in winning the WS. But seriously, if you trade your prospects for players that help win the WS, is there really that much of a difference?

A farm system is there for you to replenish your major league team due to various forms of attrition. It’s also there to use a vehicle to acquire other players that could help your major league team more quickly than the farm system.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Feb 9, 2009 8:58 AM CST reply actions