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The analysts at MLB.com have released their list of Top 100 MLB Prospects, with three members of the Chicago Cubs organization earning spots among the best.
No. 33: CF Brett Jackson
Jackson is the Cubs' centerfielder of the future, reaching Triple A at the age of 22 in 2011. Jackson has hit well at every level, finishing his 2011 time in Iowa with 10 homers and a .297/.388/.551 slash -- good for 30 percent above league average (per weighted runs created).
The hopes for Jackson, according to MLB.com, paint him somewhat as a Bobby Abreu lite:
Upside potential: A very productive, perhaps underappreciated, everyday outfielder with 20-20 potential at the big league level.
And though it is never good when a club's top prospect is 33rd best among all other prospects, Jackson still appears worth every but of hype surrounding him:
No. 37: 1B Anthony Rizzo
Rizzo, acquired from the San Diego Padres in the Andrew Cashner trade, reached the majors with the Padres in 2011, looking fairly lost in his scant 153 plate appearances. Despite that early showing, Cubs fans can expect amazing things from the 22-year-old.
Reaching Triple-A and the majors at just 21, Anthony Rizzo has hit well at every step (except of course, that final callup), most recently blasting 26 homers in just 93 Triple A games -- which prorates to 43 homers for 162 (minor league) games.
No. 62: SS Javier Baez
Despite having only 5 professional games under his belt (3 in the Cubs' rookie league, 2 with their Low A affiliate), Baez finds a spot among the nation's most promising. Drafted in the 1st round of the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft, the former No. 9 overall pick has all the potential to be the prototypical Jim Hendry guy -- the former Cubs GM who filled the team with high batting average, high power, low patience hitters.
Still, Baez dominated throughout high school, and if he brings a sliver of that excellence to Chicago, he will be successful:
Statistically speaking: High-school stats always need to be taken with a grain of salt, but Baez put up video-game numbers in Florida in 2011. The infielder hit .711 with 20 home runs for Arlington Country Day High School last year.
For more on the Cubs prospects and world of minor league baseball, drop by Minor League Ball with John Sickels. Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more Cubs news and notes.