7) Brennen Davis, OF

Age: 19.13 (11/2/1999)

.298/.431/.333, 0 HR, .035 ISO, 132 wRC+, 13.9% BB%, 16.7% K%, 6 SB

Highest Level: Rk-AZL

The Cubs took Davis in the 2018 draft with their 2nd round pick at 64 overall. There is extreme projection in his frame. He is listed at 6’4” 175 lbs. Words like thin, lanky, and wiry should all come to mind. Man muscles are on their way and plus raw power along with them. Scouts anticipate easy plus raw power as his frame fills out. He split time between CF and RF in his pro debut, but when double-plus speed grades have been evoked, one would think he will play in center. The swing mechanics are a bit wonkey. His hands draw back as his front leg moves forward. It looks a bit disjointed, but his hands and bat speed are impressive and make me want to overlook the mechanics. It is a high floor, high ceiling profile, a seeming hallmark of the Cubs system.

8) Cole Roederer, OF

Age: 19.24 (9/24/1999)

.275/.354/.465, 5 HR, .190 ISO, 129 wRC+, 11.2% BB%, 23% K%, 13 SB

Highest Level: Rk-AZL

Another 2018 draftee, the Cubs took Cole Roederer 77th overall in last year’s draft. Roederer performed well in his time in rookie ball, showing signs of a possible power-speed combo. His swing is short and direct to the ball, which should bode well for limiting swing and miss. Defensively, his range and instincts would play in center. The frame is starting to fill out and still looks primed for significant weight gain, which could translate to more power but also less range. Some expect additional weight to move him to a corner and right field is not an option because his arm is below average. There is a chance for an above average regular but Roederer is far away and needs some things to break his way for that to happen. He would either need to hit enough for the bat to play in left or maintain enough speed to stay in center despite a seemingly-inevitable weight gain. That is not to say these things are impossible; but it is wise to consider the path a player must take or hurdles they must clear in order to reach their projection.

9) Richard Gallardo, RHP

Age: 17.29 (9/6/2001)

Highest Level: Yet to play stateside.

Projecting 15-year-olds is an exercise fraught with disagreement. It is one of the tougher jobs in baseball. There is so much development to occur that opinions can vary drastically. In spite of this, Gallardo was broadly viewed to be a top pitching prospect in the 2018 J2 class. Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) of MLB.com ranked him 5th on his list. Ben Badler (@BenBadler) of Baseball America ranked him 6th on his list. The reports, glowing, are littered with phrases like “frontline starter upside” and “advanced pitchability”. His fastball presently sits low 90s with quality sink/life, and Gallardo has good command of the pitch. Reports say the curve and change also project to above average or better. There are a very wide range of possible outcomes here: he could be a #2 starter or he could never make AA.

10) Jose Albertos, RHP

Age: 20.12 (11/7/1998)

30.1 IP, 14.84 ERA, 8.27 FIP, 20.0% K%, 34.2% BB%, .298 BAA

Highest Level: A

One can make a case Albertos is the highest upside pitcher in the system. When right he has three pitches that flash above average or better. It is a very low effort “playing catch” delivery. Physically, Albertos looks larger than the listed 6’1” 185; he has a big chest, but the body looks a bit soft. The frame itself looks capable of supporting a SP workload. Last year was a lost season for Albertos. He struggled mightily with control to the tune of a 34.2% walk rate over 30.1 innings. The numbers encapsulated what scouts saw in his underlying attributes: they regressed heavily across the board. His stuff, body and the consistency of his arm action all took a step back. Despite his season I find it hard to not dream on him. The fastball can touch 96, 97 with minimal effort. The change and curve are capable of generating swing and miss. Unfortunately, he has not been able control anything including the fastball. He is a very frustrating prospect.

11) Keegan Thompson, RHP

Age: 23.77 (3/13/1995)

129.2 IP, 3.61 ERA, 3.39 FIP, 21.6% K%, 6.4% BB%, .233 BAA

Highest Level: AA

Thompson is a polished college arm taken in the 3rd round in 2017. He has four playable pitches and knows he to employ them effectively. The fastball sits low 90s and is not overpowering, but Thompson locates and sequences well. He will elevate the FB with two strikes, and he throws his slider with supreme confidence. The pitch flashes two-plane tilt and generates swing-and-miss. Thompson’s CB/CH are both above-average, with his CB flashing plus. Thompson has a short and fast arm action that can add some deception. For me, his floor is high, and he should become a reliable SP4 that flashes SP2/3 production. - Jason Woodell