And hopefully Starlin Castro will be better than Theriot.

Let’s go with 2012.

C – As of now, the system has some intriguing catching guys as of now. Not great, but intriguing. Castillo still has promise, and he’s had some bad luck this year, but he’s still raw. Clevenger is consistent enough. If Flores can hit anything, he has a shot with his defensive ability. Cerda is far away, but with offensive potential (although some defensive inconsistency based on reports from the esteemed AzPhil.)

2012 guess: Geovany Soto has had his ups and downs this year. Here’s hoping he learns from them and reestablishes himself, this year, and in the future. My guess is that Clevenger will be our backup backstop, but that we’ll stash a defensive option in AAA. My hunch is that Castillo won’t ever pan out and by 2012, may be out of our system. I think Cerda and Flores could be at AAA.

1st base – The system’s first base charts are weak. That said, well, first base chart? Ha. Jovan Rosa was injured early, but that shouldn’t be an excuse for his struggles, as his swing and recognition needs work. Rebel Ridling is a big, lumbering power hitter. We’ve added, ah, the name is slipping me, but another Ridling like guy. Um … that’s it as of now that really stands out.

2012 guess: Aramis Ramirez gets moved to first base as we pick up his option.

2nd base – A lot of the promise at 2nd that the system showed in 2008 hasn’t really materialized in 2009. Ryan Flaherty’s periphs look fine, but gotta be a bit concerned with his K/BB collapse in June. DJ LeMahieu, if he signs, feels like Flaherty to me. Logan Watkins is a work in progress, as is Junior Lake. Tony Thomas’ K/BB collapse doesn’t give me confidence. Josh Harrison doesn’t get the reps there. I actually liked Opitz’s bat quite a bit out of college. Dwayne Kemp is in that Harrison mold, and will likely be utilized in a similar fashion.

2012 guess: Ryan Theriot. That’s just a hunch. I am big on Lake, and Flaherty/LeMahieu are both intriguing, along with Watkins at the top. I could see the development take longer than expected, and thus, have a lot of potential 2nd basemen in AA/AAA, but a stopgap is needed and I could see them shift Theriot over, maybe with a guy to split some time with. I could see a guy overachieving a bit, say, a Josh Harrison, and forcing some consideration.

SS – Darwin Barney has had a solid season. He’s a solid guy, won’t ever be great, but decent. Starlin Castro has had a superb year when considering all the factors. Hak-ju Lee is exciting. AzPhil speculated awhile back that Lee could be a CF consideration.

2012 guess: Starlin Castro With how well he’s done, it’s hard to bet against him right now.

3rd – It’s Vitters job to lose. He’s improved enough defensively. Here’s hoping he doesn’t lose it. Not much else in the system at 3rd base.

2012 guess: Josh Vitters.

IF thoughts: If the MI is Theriot/Castro, I’d look for them to sign a decent veteran to split time. Basically, a guy like what Alex Cora is right now.

OF: Soriano is almost a lock in LF barring someone doing us a favor with that contract, so really only looking at CF/RF. I don’t expect any vet right now to be there. The system has some assets to ponder. Wait and see on Colvin right now. Guyer had some bad luck in AA, but has bounced back a bit in High A. I still like his tools, and the fact that he’s shown some improvement in some offensive areas this year. Tony Campana could be a top of the order guy. Hak-ju Lee could get some consideration to the OF. There’s some raw assets lower, like Brett Jackson and Ja-Hoon Ha that we don’t know much about, and we just signed a speedy leadoff type from Taiwan. There’s also Kyler Burke. Could go on and on, but the short of it is that it is mostly far away.

2012 OF guess: Soriano, CF not from system, Guyer. Guyer’s striking out less this year, which is a positive sign, so I’m holding out hope. It’s hard for me to imagine a situation where the Cubs build their 2012 team from pieces completely with us right now. Just unrealistic, and with Soriano aging, I think the Cubs will try to find a potential leadoff option that could play CF.

So, a 2012 guess

C – Soto
1st – Aramis
2nd – Theriot
SS – Castro
3rd – Vitters
RF – Guyer
CF – out of system
LF – Soriano