And now we get into the creme de la creme. While there is no Kris Bryant or Addison Russell in this group, the Cubs top 5 is all about a combination of tools, approach, athleticism, and an advanced skill set.

All 5 players have a chance to be starters at the major league level. Almora may get his MLB opportunity this season. His value is up once again after a strong finish at the plate at AA Tennessee and the increasing value that the game is putting on defense. Almora's ability to defend a premium position and make consistent contact make him a good fit for the Cubs current lineup and long term plans.

Duane Underwood is now the team's top starting pitching prospect but he will have to fend off a couple of high ceiling pitchers in Dylan Cease and Oscar De La Cruz to retain that status. Underwood combines great arm speed, a balanced repertoire, solid command, and a rapidly improving approach on the mound, making him the best all-around pitcher in the system right now.

Both players have seemingly been around a long, long time, yet both are just 21 and will start at AA or higher.

The top 3 features a first round pick, a player that is the fastest rising Cubs prospect in recent memory, and 19 year old wunderkind.

Here is the finale. Thanks to Michael for his assistance with a few of the write-ups and for all of you for some great feedback and discussion.

5. Albert Almora Jr. 21 years, 8 months / Tennessee (AA)

CF

R/R

6’2”, 180 lbs.

Drafted 1st Round (6th overall) 2012

Almora’s defensive abilities are no secret at this point. His quick first step and plus instincts give him plus range despite average speed. His arm is above average and would play in RF should he be forced into a 4th OF role in the future. Almora will become a fan favorite as a guy going all out on every play, frequently making diving catches and crashing into walls.

At the plate he has begun to make better use of his pure hit tool. Almora puts bat to ball as easy as any player in the system but pitchers had begun getting him to reach outside the zone to induce weak contact. As last season progressed Almora made strides with his plate discipline, chasing fewer pitches and drawing more walks. To reach his full potential he needs to continue refining his approach and become more selective. Like Castro before him, Almora needs to learn to wait for pitches he can drive instead of putting a pitcher’s pitch in play.

If Almora can tap into his full offensive potential he projects as first division starting CF. At worst Almora projects as a plus defensive extra OF that can put the ball in play. - Michael

4. Duane Underwood Jr. 21 years, 5 months / Myrtle Beach (A+)

SP

R/R

6’2”, 205 lbs.

Drafted 2nd Round (67th overall) 2012

Comfortably works in the low to mid 90s with a fastball that he can both cut and sink. Underwood is capable of reaching back for upper 90s heat when the situation dictates. His curveball is still inconsistent but flashes as above average. The development of his changeup as a third average or better pitch to combat lefties has rounded out his arsenal. The Cubs have been deliberate with his development up to this point and combined with missing two months last summer because of injury Underwood has thrown just 179 innings combined the past two seasons, so building up his stamina and endurance will be pivotal in his continued development and determine how quickly he can progress to a full time role in the Chicago rotation.

Underwood currently lacks a dynamic element to his game as his pitches do not feature late movement nor does his delivery offer deception. In his current form he projects more as mid rotation guy than a true top of the rotation starter. There is still time for Underwood to further refine one of his current offerings into a true wipeout pitch. If he can find a go to pitch the TOR potential still exists. - Michael

3. Ian Happ, 21 yrs, 4 m/ South Bend (A)

2B, OF

S/R

6'0", 205 lbs.

Drafted 2015, 1st round (9th pick)

You've heard me talk about the BP performances of Eloy Jimenez and DJ Wilson, but Ian Happ was probably the most consistent hitter of any group. It may be that we just take him for granted because he is more advanced than the rest of the group. He has a strong, stock but athletic build and well above average bat speed. He has good plate discipline and is a selectively aggressive hitter who doesn't get cheated up at the plate. He may have the hardest swing this side of Javy Baez. That means he'll likely strikeout some, but the trade off is above average power without sacrificing anything in terms of his hit tool, which is among the best in the organization.

Defensively, he probably fits best in LF where he can be a good defender with his above average speed and average arm, but the Cubs are going to give him a chance to play 2B. I saw Happ from day 1 at 2B and it wasn't pretty at first, but the work ethic was impressive. Happ was among of handful of players who stayed late to work on his defense and by the end of the fall, he had me convinced he at least has a shot to stick there, though he won't be more than average at that position. Still, if he can hit, then the Cubs will get great value there -- and Happ will still likely retain the ability to fill in at all OF positions.

Happ is an intense competitor on the field -- most players at this level are, but Happ stands out in that respect. He plays the game with passion and energy and should be an exciting player no matter what position he plays.

2. Willson Contreras, 23 yrs, 7 m/ Tennessee (AA)

Catcher

R/R

6'1", 175 lbs.

Signed as an undrafted free agent (IFA) 2009

I am not going to rehash the story of how I was immediately smitten with Contreras' athleticism and intense, tough, competitive style of play. It's a new year and I have new instructional league standouts to gush about. And besides, Contreras has come a long way since then. He has grown a lot both on and off the field and in one year has gone from afterthought to a top 100 prospect and the Cubs catcher of the future. Left unprotected last year, the Cubs were now reportedly rebuffing teams looking to pry him loose.

Contreras moves extremely well behind the plate and possesses a strong arm. He has worked on shortening the arm action on his throws to cut his pop times down below the 2 second mark. At the very least, he'll be an asset as far as blocking pitches and controlling the running game early in his career.

As a hitter, Contreras shortened his stroke and his quick, strong hands allow him to wait back and go to all fields with authority. He's a gap to gap hitter who should have about average to slightly above average power.

Where Contreras has noticeably improved since the days I'd seen him in Arizona and Kane County is reining in his intense passion for the game and playing under control. It manifests itself everywhere from his more disciplined approach, to the short contact-oriented stroke, to the growing understanding that, as gifted as he is athletically, he can't make every play. For a player as competitive as Contreras is, that isn't always easy.

Other than simply getting more reps and building on his breakout season, Contreras' last hurdle is learning the nuances of catching. His AFL manager Mark Johnson challenged him to take more control of the game and handling his pitchers and Contreras seemed to take great pride in improving that aspect of his game.

The Cubs have Miguel Montero for at least two more years and David Ross for one, so barring injury, Contreras will get the chance to continue to grow his game in AAA and could well be the Cubs starting catcher by 2017...perhaps sooner.

1. Gleyber Torres, 19 yrs/ South Bend

SS

R/R

6'1", 175 lbs.

Signed as undrafted free agent (IFA) 2013

Torres is the best all around player in the Cubs system and he just turned 19 in December. That he was able to play at an all-star level at age 18 in a pitchers league where the average age is 21 is remarkable.

He doesn't have that one explosive tool but Torres has above average to plus tools across the board, with the best of those tools being his hit, defense, and throwing arm. He plays up all those tools with tremendous instinct for the game.

At the plate, Torres is an advanced hitter who barrels up easily, works counts, will draw that occasional walk, and drive the ball to all fields. He shows gap power now with the potential to have at least average power down as he matures physically. He improved his conditioning and like Almora, may have improved his speed by a tick or two since signing -- something that has especially shown up in his better than expected range at SS. He looks like he will have the tools to stick at SS, but the presence of Addison Russell may have him moving to 2B, especially if he fills out a bit with age and loses a step.

Torres has gotten raves for his maturitiy, makeup, and feel for the game since the day he signed. Despite just turning 19, Torres has a chance to finish the season at AA Tennessee this season, though it is likely he will begin the year at Class A Myrtle Beach.

The Complete Top 25...

1. Gleyber Torres, SS

2. Willson Contreras, C

3. Ian Happ, 2B-OF

4. Duane Underwood, RHP

5. Albert Almora, CF

Prospects 6 - 10

6. Billy McKinney, OF

7. Oscar De La Cruz, RHP

8. Dylan Cease, RHP

9. Jeimer Candelario, 3B

10. Eloy Jimenez, OF

Prospects 11 -15

11. Carl Edwards, Jr., RHP

12. Pierce Johnson, RHP

13. Justin Steele, LHP

14. Carson Sands, LHP

15. Mark Zagunis, OF

Prospects 16 - 20

16. DJ Wilson, OF

17. Eddy Julio Martinez, OF

18. Donnie Dewees, OF

19, Bryan Hudson, RHP

20. Rob Zastryzny, LHP

Prospects 21-25

21. Victor Caratini, C

22. Jake Stinnett, RHP

23. Dan Vogelbach, 1B

24. Brad Markey RHP

25. Trevor Clifton, RHP