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LOD’s 2019 Offseason Top Prospects: Chicago Cubs #5-#1

Here at Legends on Deck our passion is prospects and the offseason presents an outstanding opportunity for us to showcase some of baseball’s top up and comers. Throughout the offseason, we will be bringing you the top ten prospects from all 30 organizations. We will start with the Arizona Diamondbacks and work our way alphabetically all the way through the Washington Nationals. This series is the opinion of Jake Berry, Senior Editor at Legends on Deck and does not reflect any official MLB rankings. 


#5 – LHP Brendon Little

2019 Opening Day Age: 22            ETA: 2020         Top Future Pitch: CB

2018 Stats (Single-A): 5-11, 5.15 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 90 SO, 43 BB

Since the day the Cubs drafted Brendon Little I have been the high man on him. Some folks think the Cubs reached for him with their first pick in 2017. The stats haven’t been great since he started his pro career, but I have always been a sucker for his fastball/curve combo.


#4 – LHP Justin Steele

2019 Opening Day Age: 23             ETA: 2020        Top Future Pitch: FB

2018 Stats (Rookie/High-A/Double-A): 2-2, 2.31 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 53 SO, 13 BB

Steele has the makeup to be a decent big league pitcher one day thanks largely to his command. The lefty slings a mid 90’s fastball that can touch 97 with sinking action. I’d place a back end rotation ceiling on him.


#3 – SS Nico Hoerner

2019 Opening Day Age: 21               ETA: 2021          Top Future Tool: Hit

2018 Stats16/49, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 SB

The 2018 first round pick only played in 14 games this season due to a left elbow injury. As a result, the Cubbies sent the Oakland native to the Arizona Fall League where he got 40 more at bats than he did during the regular season. A fringy shortstop, Hoerner slashed .337/.362/.506 in 89 AFL at bats.


#2 – RHP Adbert Alzolay

2019 Opening Day Age: 24                  ETA: 2019             Top Future Pitch: FB

2018 Stats (Triple-A): 2-4, 4.76 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 27 SO, 13 BB

Alzolay may be falling victim to prospect fatigue as he just wrapped up his sixth season in the Cubs organization. A September call up may be on the horizon for the righty in 2019 if he can bounce back from a lat strain that had the Cubs shut him down in June.


#1 – C Miguel Amaya

2019 Opening Day Age: 20                  ETA: 2021             Top Future Tool: Glove

2018 Stats (Single-A): .256/.349/.403, 12 HR, 52 RBI, 91 SO, 50 BB

Highly touted for his defense, the 2015 international signee is developing quite a hit tool as well. A great receiver with a great arm, if the bat continues to develop, Amaya has the potential to be a top catcher in MLB.

Featured Image: Miguel Amaya (Courtesy of Mathew Carper/Legends On Deck

Jake resides in Carrollton, GA and loves everything baseball. He is a lifelong Atlanta Braves fan and enjoys traveling to watch their Minor League teams. He graduated from the University of West Georgia with a Bachelor's Degree in Sport Management. Jake is also a certified personal trainer and has a passion for fitness and weight lifting. You can find his personal site at berrysbaseball.com You can also reach out to Jake at jberry@legendsondeck.com

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