State of the Cubs Minor League System

What a difference a year makes. The combination of an influx of talent from the new regime, the maturation of the old regime's draft picks, and smart international spending has taken the Cubs minor league system from near the bottom of the league to a top 15 farm system. They have anywhere from 3-5 top 100 prospects overall depending on whose lists you trust.

While the Cubs are lacking any sure thing "A" prospects, they have one of the deepest pool of mid-range prospects in the league. Most of these prospects are 1-2 years away from playing at Wrigley, but the future is bright for the Cubs. Here is a breakdown of the strengths and weakness of the Cubs system:

Strengths:

• Bullpen arms: The Cubs have a surplus of MLB ready (or close) power bullpen arms. Carpenter, Dolis, Beliveau, Weathers, and Lendy Castillo could all see action in the majors this season and there are more arms on the way like Zych, Serrano, & Hatley in the next few years. 
• Infielders: None are quite MLB ready, but by 2014 the Cubs should have some serious talent coming up the pipe. Rizzo & Vogelbach were recently listed as top 10 first base prospects in the league by Baseball America. At 3B the Cubs have Vitters, Baez, Candeleria, and probably Lake if he keeps growing. In the middle, names like DeVoss, Watkins, Torreyes, and Hernandez are making all the prospect lists.

Weaknesses:

• Starting Pitching: The Cubs are still lacking a starting pitching prospect who profiles as a legit ace. Maybe they get one in a Garza deal, but that is speculation at this point. McNutt is listed as the Cubs top SP prospect, but if 2011 was any indication he's not the answer. Maples is projected as a #2, but he has yet to pitch in the system. The Cubs do have some solid mid-rotation types (Rhee, Beeler, Wells, Cates) in the lower levels, but a lot of question marks. 
• Corner Outfielders: The Cubs lack traditional power hitting corner outfielder prospects. Reggie Golden and maybe Michael Burgess are intriguing names, but they still need considerable development before they are ready to play in the big leagues.  If Brett Jackson's power develops and the Cubs sign Cespedes and / or Soler, this point becomes mute.

The Cubs have had strong farm systems in the past that have failed to develop all-star or even starting caliber players, but I haven't been this excited about the Cubs minor league prospects in a long time and I think the Cubs are moving in the right direction. Let the "Build" begin!