Things to Read
- Really good writeup of Jaxon Wiggins at Bleacher Nation, and one that I think frames expectations in a responsible way, which you know I appreciate.
Things to Watch
- Hey! New episode! And it’s the first one in a hot minute involving actual prospect analysis as opposed to a player interview. I profile each of the big three: Jaxon Wiggins, Moises Ballesteros, and Owen Caissie.
- We’ve heard an awful lot about Owen Ayers’ skills AT the plate since he erupted in the Arizona Fall League, but I’m also super intrigued by his skills BEHIND the plate thanks to that impressive athleticism.
- The fastball is best in the system and the slider is incredible, too. But why I have confidence in Jaxon Wiggins as a starting pitcher is because of this changeup right here. He already has a leg up on neutralizing lefties.
Things Worth Some Attention
- Moises Ballesteros and Jonathon Long have been very similar hitters each of the past two seasons, but I think those similarities are really highlighted by their Statcast percentiles, courtesy of Thomas Nestico. Among the most notable differences is the fact that Long is FAR more patient at the plate, on pitches both in and out of the zone.
- I posed a simple question in a poll: Who should be the #1 ranked prospect in the Cubs org? The results were outrageously close, with the order coming in as Wiggins, Ballesteros, Caissie.
- Forgive me for the small font, but here is how I have the hitters in the org projected as of right now. In looking at that Iowa lineup, I’m expecting a few position players signed to minor league contracts, with the assumption that they spend at least the first couple months in Iowa (as opposed to MiLB deals where the player is released before opening day if he doesn’t make the MLB roster). Things could change, maybe most notably Kevin Alcántara getting bumped down to Triple-A when the Cubs inevitably make an MLB addition, but this should give you a good snapshot of the system. (PS, I have a pitchers version of this posted over at the 1060 West Discord but I’m too scared to post it here because pitching is such a crapshoot right now)
- Brad (@ballskwok) was kind enough to post some screenshots of the proof that Owen Caissie did indeed get better as the season wore on, particularly when it came to whiffs and strikeouts. The next two images highlight Whiff% by month and his overall stat line starting June 1st.
Out of the Vines 