2011 Draft: It's early but.....

I know it's early to be thinking about the 2011 draft but might as well take a look at some guys that might be available for us next year. Now obviously players stocks will change from now till the draft but I figured it might be fun to look at some players that could/should be on the Cubs radar. Last year I did my draft work on Wrigley Bound but since the site seems to be defunct so I'll do some tracking of players over here. This is just a quick look while I compile more scouting reports as we move closer to draft day. We have the 9th pick in a very deep crop and hopefully still have a fairly early 2nd rounder depending on what we do in FA.

The big 3 this year of 3B Anthony Rendon, LHP Matt Purke, and RHP Garrit Cole will almost surely not be available at 9 for us but we should still get a high level talent. The scouting reports are short because I'm still sifting through contridicting reports from numerous sites so I'll just give the highlights. This is just a short list...more to come.

Hitters:

OF. George Springer - UConn - Probably another player who will got before 9 but he has plus power and solid tools across the board. Springer offers a ton of potential and currently the 2nd best college bat in this years crop. Springer IF available would offer something the system needs..power hitting corner OF (though he is currently playing CF).

3B/OF. Travis Harrison - Calf. H.S. - Best prep power bat and good athletism. Again something the system could use.

OF. Jackie Bradley Jr. - S. Carolina - This may very well be the Cubs pick. A safe college bat this switch hitting CF has no plus tools but a well rounded package. Had some wrist issues last year and I have heard he may add some power. Could be something like BJax.

OF. Bubba Starling - Kansas H.S. - Ridiculously talented athlete is commited to Nebraska to play QB. This is someone who is gonna be volitlile considering his 2 sports status and probable signability concerns. Could go as early as 4 or might fall similar to Austin Wilson in '10. Can pitch and has great bat speed. A very intriguing prospect.

Pitchers:

RHP. Sonny Gray - Vanderbilt - Smallish at 6'0 185 and the Cubs have shown they are not afraid of small RHP. Has frontline stuff w/ low 90's Fb that can reach 95, and a nasty low to mid 80s slider. A good athlete and student who plays QB. This is a guy I like.

RHP Taylor Jungmann - Texas - 6'6 and wiry @ 195 punds has a good FB that sits in the low 90's that can touch 96. Potential plus slider and average CB w/ a current promising CU that could be above average. This is another safe play the Cubs may explore. While not considered a potential ace he is easily as safe as a #3 you could ask for with a ceiling of a #2.

LHP Daniel Norris - Tenn. H.S. - This is someone who would fill a big need if we go pitcher...a power lefty. 91-95 FB, above average to plus CB and a suprisingly developed CU. Needs some polish but could be a real stud when all is said and done.

RHP Archie Bradley - Oak. H.S. - Mid 90s FB w/ a plus curve. Good athlete. I really like this kids upside.

So here's 8 guys we should be aware of. If the Cubs go safe w/ Jungmann or Bradley I wouldn't be that surprised and maybe prudent but we really need to spend money later in the draft  like Philly/Bos/Pit did in 2010. I don't mind going conservitive w/ our 1st pick as long as Ricketts sticks to what he has said and spends money on the draft. We may not break the bank on our #1 but in such a deep draft we should be able to draft some guys later w/ signability concerns who could pay big dividends and in turn give us what we lack...true A.S. caliber talent. I will continue to post little pieces on guys as we move along. Hopefully this is something the community is interested in.