Position players have ruled the Cubs system for the past almost 10 years now and yet again this year, the top of the position players list is pretty top heavy compared to the depth of the pitchers. That being said, even the bottom of this list showcases players that will soon contribute at the Major League level. That being said, here are numbers 16-20 of the Chicago Cubs Position Player Prospects list:
20. Cael Brockmeyer
Position: First Base/Catcher
Age: 24
Hits/Throws: R/R
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 235
Highest Level: AAA Iowa
111 Games, (.251/.338/.389/.726), 24 doubles, 9 HR, 1 SB, 10.3% BB, 22.1% K
Brockmeyer begins this list at number twenty. Although his highest level is listed as AAA Iowa, he spent much of the year in the Single-A levels. A very large man, Brockmeyer is no lock to stay behind the plate because of his size. His real future is only at first base. He has the potential to be a late bloomer as the power is already there and with his size he could still figure it out. The problem is he is already 24 years old. Hopes for a true breakout 2016 is what Cael is going to need.
19. Jacob Hannemann
Position: Outfield
Age: 24
Hits/Throws: L/L
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 200
Highest Level: AA Tennessee
128 Games, (.244/.303/.366/.668), 24 doubles, 6 HR, 24 SB, 6.9% BB, 23.1% K
Hannemann has always been that guy that shows a lot of potential but just as a guy that is a little behind in his development process. We all know his story of his football and baseball at BYU and his mission trip. He is a freak athlete with elite speed. This past year he showed off multiple cases of how great his glove can be in the outfield as that is almost ready to go. The problem is every year his bat doesn’t quite come around, the farther he falls down this list. Also at age 24, this could be a big season for Hannemann as well.
18. Wladimir Galindo
Position: Third Base
Age: 19
Hits/Throws: R/R
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 210
Highest Level: Rookie AZL Cubs
19 Games, (.358/.400/.522/.922), 7 doubles, 0 HR, 1 SB, 5.2% BB, 19.9% K
Galindo could be fun. There isn’t much that has been said about this kid that was signed as an international free agent as he has been overshadowed by the many other IFA’s the Cubs have in their lower minor leagues. With his big frame, Galindo has a ton of power potential and reminds me a little of Eloy Jimenez who I will cover later on. If he is able to improve his hands and stay quick laterally as he continues to put on muscle, he will be able to stay at third. If not then Wladimir seems destined for first base.
17. Charcer Burks
Position: Outfield
Age: 20
Hits/Throws: R/R
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 170
Highest Level: A South Bend
116 Games, (.257/.339/.347/.686), 22 doubles, 3 HR, 28 SB, 10.2% BB, 16.7% K
Charcer Burks is an exciting player. After finishing off his age 19 season in South Bend, expect him to head back there this season with hopes of moving up to Myrtle Beach. Right now his speed is there as is the patience at the plate. He has shown pretty good gap to gap power so a possible boost in homers is also a possibility as his body matures over the next couple years. Burks isn’t a guy that on a whole lot of people’s radars, but if he keeps ascending up the minor leagues, that could change in a hurry.
16. Bijan Rademacher
Position: Outfield
Age: 24
Hits/Throws: L/L
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 200
Highest Level: AA Tennessee
113 Games, (.261/.379/.370/.748). 19 doubles, 4 HR, 7 SB, 15.5% BB, 13.9% K
If you are looking for a future fourth or fifth outfielder you are looking at the right guy. Rademacher profiles as nothing more than a bench role outfielder with a pinch hitting role as well. The fourth bench role comes in as nearly everything Bijan does is just below average at the major league level. The things that he does very well is he draws a ton of walks while also not striking out hardly at all. That creates a lot of pinch hitter upside if the Cubs are just looking for a guy in the late innings to come off the bench to get on base or advance runners without striking out. Look for Rademacher to be bench depth for the big league squad waiting in Iowa as soon as this year.
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