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Assessing the gloves of Cubs outfield prospects
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Clinton Cole
Much of affiliated baseball has numbers attached. From the spectrum of batting percentages, predictive pitching numbers (like xFIP), and stabs at running efficiency, projecting who will do what is important.
Among the tougher assessments is defense. Was that a 50/50 play, or a 30/70? Toss in minor-league venues, and no games in minor league ball for 18 months, it gets tougher regarding youngsters. With across-the-board designated hitter very likely in the 2022 season (fingers crossed on a season, at all), defense might not be as essential in National League organizations, but assessing what’s available seems useful walking into the 2021 season.
As we enter the next era for the Chicago Cubs, the importance of the farm system reaches a place not seen in six years. Jed Hoyer has now repeated himself, on multiple occasions, speaking to how the Cubs now have “one eye on the future.” Their actions indicate it might even be more like one and a half eyes. Hoyer, and Theo Epstein on his way out the door, both indicated their optimism about what the farm system will show when it is permitted to return to the field: the actualization of a substantially increased investment in player development.
Last year, in my introduction to the 2020 BN prospect rankings, I said the Cubs had a good first tier, nice depth in the third tier, and very little in-between. The season was, for me, about building a good second tier of prospects. Without a minor league season, I’m not sure we have the evidence necessary to make many