By Jim Callis
January 7, 2013



Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.

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TOP TEN PROSPECTS

1. Javier Baez, ss 2. Albert Almora, of 3. Jorge Soler, of 4. Arodys Vizcaino, rhp 5. Brett Jackson, of 6. Pierce Johnson, rhp 7. Dan Vogelbach, 1b 8. Jeimer Candelario, 3b 9. Kyuji Fujikawa, rhp 10. Arismendy Alcantara, ss

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average Albert Almora Best Power Hitter Dan Vogelbach Best Strike Zone Discipline Logan Watkins Fastest Baserunner Matt Szczur Best Athlete Matt Szczur Best Fastball Arodys Vizcaino Best Curveball Arodys Vizcaino Best Slider Alberto Cabrera Best Changeup Brooks Raley Best Control Kyle Hendricks Best Defensive Catcher Chadd Krist Best Defensive Infielder Javier Baez Best Infield Arm Junior Lake Best Defensive OF Albert Almora Best Outfield Arm Jorge Soler

PROJECTED 2016 LINEUP

Catcher Welington Castillo First Base Anthony Rizzo Second Base Starlin Castro Third Base Jeimer Candelario Shortstop Javier Baez Left Field Brett Jackson Center Field Albert Almora Right Field Jorge Soler No. 1 Starter Jeff Samardzija No. 2 Starter Matt Garza No. 3 Starter Arodys Vizcaino No. 4 Starter Edwin Jackson No. 5 Starter Pierce Johnson Closer Juan Carlos Paniagua

TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Pos 2012 Org 2003 Hee Seop Choi, 1b Kia (Korea) 2004 Angel Guzman, rhp Dodgers 2005 Brian Dopirak, 1b Out of baseball 2006 Felix Pie, of Braves 2007 Felix Pie, of Braves 2008 Josh Vitters, 3b Cubs 2009 Josh Vitters, 3b Cubs 2010 Starlin Castro, ss Cubs 2011 Chris Archer, rhp Rays 2012 Brett Jackson, of Cubs

TOP DRAFT PICKS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Pos 2012 Org 2003 Ryan Harvey, OF Lancaster (Atlantic) 2004 Grant Johnson, RHP Out of baseball 2005 Mark Pawelek, LHP Out of baseball 2006 Tyler Colvin, OF Rockies 2007 Josh Vitters, 3B Cubs 2008 Andrew Cashner, RHP Padres 2009 Brett Jackson, OF Cubs 2010 Hayden Simpson, RHP Cubs 2011 Javier Baez, SS Cubs 2012 Albert Almora, OF Cubs

LARGEST BONUSES IN CLUB HISTORY

Jorge Soler, 2012 $6,000,000 Mark Prior, 2001 $4,000,000 Kosuke Fukudome, 2007 $4,000,000 Albert Almora, 2012 $3,900,000 Corey Patterson, 1998 $3,700,000

CUBS LINKS

Cubs Team Page Cubs Top 10 Scouting Reports Last Year's Cubs Top 10 Prospects 2012 Draft: Cubs 2012 Draft Report Cards: Chicago Cubs Complete Index of Top 10 Prospects Pre-Order the 2013 Prospect Handbook

Optimism reigned when the Cubs gave their a front office a full makeover last offseason. New president of baseball operations Theo Epstein, general manager Jed Hoyer and vice president of player development and scouting Jason McLeod had built two World Series champions with the Red Sox. Hoyer and McLeod also had revitalized the Padres farm system when they went to San Diego.

Because Chicago had focused on the short term in the last years of GM Jim Hendry's tenure and were left with an old and overpriced roster, fans understood that the club was going to have to get worse before it could get better.

That's exactly what happened in 2012. Winning at the major league level wasn't a priority—or a common occurrence. The Cubs' victory total dropped for the fourth straight season, culminating with a 61-101 record that was their worst in 46 seasons.

For all the losses, there was plenty of good news. Chicago's priority was to procure some impact talent, and they found some.

The Cubs spent the No. 6 overall pick in the draft and $3.9 million in bonus money on center fielder Albert Almora, one of the most polished high school position players in recent memory. To restock an organization seriously bereft of pitching, they spent their next seven choices on arms, starting with Missouri State righthander Pierce Johnson.

A week after the draft, Chicago landed Cuban slugger Jorge Soler with the biggest deal for an amateur in franchise history. Soler received a nine-year, $30 million big league contract that included a $6 million bonus, then teamed with Almora in the Rookie-level Arizona League.

At the trade deadline, the Cubs picked up righthander Arodys Vizcaino from the Braves in a deal for reliable veterans Reed Johnson and Paul Maholm. Vizcaino never would have been available if he hadn't had Tommy John surgery in March, but Chicago was thrilled to grab someone who ranked among the game's better pitching prospects before he got hurt.

Those were the headline moves, but there were several more. The Cubs spent heavily on three international pitchers, with $1.5 million Dominican righthander Juan Carlos Paniagua generating positive reviews and $6 million Cuban lefthander Gerardo Concepcion getting shelled in low Class A and removed from the 40-man roster in December. They imported Hanshin Tigers closer Kyuji Fujikawa from Japan in December for a two-year deal worth $9.5 million.

Of the many trades Epstein and Hoyer made in their first 14 months on the job, with one of their best coming three months before the season began. They shipped Andrew Cashner, Chicago's 2008 first-round pick, to the Padres for Anthony Rizzo, whom they had drafted in Boston. Rizzo was the biggest threat in the Cubs lineup after they called him up in late June, batting .285/.342/.463 at age 22.

There were more comings and goings in the front office, too. Vice president of player personnel Oneri Fleita, who had been with the organization since 1995, was fired as part of a mid-August shakeup.

Minor league field coordinator Brandon Hyde was promoted to take over Fleita's farm director duties. Padres scouting director Jaron Madison took the same job with the Cubs. He replaced Tim Wilken, who took an expanded role as a special assistant to Epstein.

That's a lot of change in one year. But Chicago believes it was necessary and will be for the better.

Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects (How to subscribe)

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