2014 BA MLB and minor leagues best tools

[ucahogfan]

They polled the managers of the MLB to find who had the best tools in the MLB this year:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/majors/2014-major-league-best-tools/

[ucahogfan]

Best tools in the AAA leagues.  A lot of Cubs on the list including a former Hog:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2014-triple-best-tools/

[clutch]

Best tools in the AAA leagues.  A lot of Cubs on the list including a former Hog:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2014-triple-best-tools/

I've never understood how so many of the historically bad teams don't really ever turn it around. Seems like if you are stockpiling picks every year from being so horrible that eventually your farm system will come through for you. I guess they usually freak out at the first hint of a successful season though and trade half the farm away for a proven vet and then have to start over.

[Baseball Hog]

I've never understood how so many of the historically bad teams don't really ever turn it around. Seems like if you are stockpiling picks every year from being so horrible that eventually your farm system will come through for you. I guess they usually freak out at the first hint of a successful season though and trade half the farm away for a proven vet and then have to start over.

Got to scout well and develop well.  People forget that those two things aren't a given.

[clutch]

Got to scout well and develop well.  People forget that those two things aren't a given.

You'd think that that would be the number one priority in a struggling organization though. Guess there's a reason why they are historically horrible though.

[ucahogfan]

I've never understood how so many of the historically bad teams don't really ever turn it around. Seems like if you are stockpiling picks every year from being so horrible that eventually your farm system will come through for you. I guess they usually freak out at the first hint of a successful season though and trade half the farm away for a proven vet and then have to start over.

Like Baseball Hog said, it takes excellent scouting and development.  The Cubs under Theo Epstein are the perfect example.  They have had a top 10 pick each of the last 4 years and have taken a bat each year.  Those four players are SS Javier Baez (just got called up, top 10 prospect, 75 grade power), OF Albert Almora (#40 prospect, GG level defender in CF, AA), 3B Kris Bryant (lock to be Minor League POTY, #4 prospect), and LF Kyle Schwarber (tearing up the lower minors).  They also traded for top 10 prospect Addison Russell who is tearing up AA since being traded to the Cubs.  This is the best farm system and all of their top prospects could be in the pros by Opening Day in 2016 if they keep developing like they are.

The Cubs are primed to be a breakout team in 2016 with their offensive talent on the farm and how well they are actually performing in the minors.  They have an excellent young core of Castro and Rizzo to build around right now, but their pitching is definitely lacking.

If they have a protected 1st round pick for the 2015 draft, I expect the Cubs to sign Max Scherzer or James Shields.  I think they make a run at Lester regardless because teams won't lose a pick if they sign him since the Red Sox traded him during the season.  The Cubs have a lot of money to spend and their top players will be under team control for a long time.  I could see them spending 200-250M between 2 of those 3 pitchers.

[clutch]

Like Baseball Hog said, it takes excellent scouting and development.  The Cubs under Theo Epstein are the perfect example.  They have had a top 10 pick each of the last 4 years and have taken a bat each year.  Those four players are SS Javier Baez (just got called up, top 10 prospect, 75 grade power), OF Albert Almora (#40 prospect, GG level defender in CF, AA), 3B Kris Bryant (lock to be Minor League POTY, #4 prospect), and LF Kyle Schwarber (tearing up the lower minors).  They also traded for top 10 prospect Addison Russell who is tearing up AA since being traded to the Cubs.  This is the best farm system and all of their top prospects could be in the pros by Opening Day in 2016 if they keep developing like they are.

The Cubs are primed to be a breakout team in 2016 with their offensive talent on the farm and how well they are actually performing in the minors.  They have an excellent young core of Castro and Rizzo to build around right now, but their pitching is definitely lacking.

If they have a protected 1st round pick for the 2015 draft, I expect the Cubs to sign Max Scherzer or James Shields.  I think they make a run at Lester regardless because teams won't lose a pick if they sign him since the Red Sox traded him during the season.  The Cubs have a lot of money to spend and their top players will be under team control for a long time.  I could see them spending 200-250M between 2 of those 3 pitchers.

I know they have a great farm system right now and are in great position to break out soon. I guess what I'm trying to say is, why did it take them over 100 years to figure it out? haha.

[ucahogfan]

The AA Best Tools includes a player who might have the most power in baseball right now:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2014-double-best-tools/

[ErieHog]

Like Baseball Hog said, it takes excellent scouting and development.  The Cubs under Theo Epstein are the perfect example.  They have had a top 10 pick each of the last 4 years and have taken a bat each year.  Those four players are SS Javier Baez (just got called up, top 10 prospect, 75 grade power), OF Albert Almora (#40 prospect, GG level defender in CF, AA), 3B Kris Bryant (lock to be Minor League POTY, #4 prospect), and LF Kyle Schwarber (tearing up the lower minors).  They also traded for top 10 prospect Addison Russell who is tearing up AA since being traded to the Cubs.  This is the best farm system and all of their top prospects could be in the pros by Opening Day in 2016 if they keep developing like they are.

The Cubs are primed to be a breakout team in 2016 with their offensive talent on the farm and how well they are actually performing in the minors.  They have an excellent young core of Castro and Rizzo to build around right now, but their pitching is definitely lacking.

If they have a protected 1st round pick for the 2015 draft, I expect the Cubs to sign Max Scherzer or James Shields.  I think they make a run at Lester regardless because teams won't lose a pick if they sign him since the Red Sox traded him during the season.  The Cubs have a lot of money to spend and their top players will be under team control for a long time.  I could see them spending 200-250M between 2 of those 3 pitchers.

Conversely, you can have all of that, and it not pan out-- see the Royals.  Yes, they're better, but considering where their farm system was 5 years ago, you'd expect a little more for having so much promise.

[ucahogfan]

Conversely, you can have all of that, and it not pan out-- see the Royals.  Yes, they're better, but considering where their farm system was 5 years ago, you'd expect a little more for having so much promise.

Yeah, the Cubs could definitely turn out to be the Royals, but I just don't see it happening.  The Royals traded away one of their top prospects in that group for the ace they needed.  The Cubs have the budget to where they won't have to do that.  I could see them signing a couple of top pitchers this offseason.  Plus, Wrigley and Kauffman are completely different environments for hitters.

And your Twins have a top farm system as well.  I expect them to rebound in the future as long as Mauer regains his old form.  When you're top prospect is said to have a floor that is Torii Hunter and a ceiling of Willie Mays, that is something special.  Other comps have said Mike Trout with an arm.  Buxton has 4 70 tools or better.  His only non 70 tool is power and that is still a 60 grade tool.  It doesn't get much more tooled up than that.

[ucahogfan]

High Class A Best Tools including a 2010 signee who never made it to campus:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2014-high-class-best-tools/

[ucahogfan]

Low Class A Best Tools including a former Hog as the top defensive 1B:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2014-low-class-best-tools/