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Chicago Cubs offseason: Prospects struggle in Arizona Fall League

Many of the Cubs' prospects playing in the 2012 Arizona Fall League struggled, including top prospect Javier Baez.

Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

Eight members of the Chicago Cubs organization wrapped up their season for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League on Thursday. The Solar Sox finished with a 10-20 record.

There were a few promising performances, but many of the Cubs struggled in the league. Here's a run-down of their efforts (via CSN Chicago):

Javier Baez, SS

The most highly touted Cubs prospect in the Fall League, Baez missed the second half of the season after breaking his thumb. Before going down, he hit four home runs and drove in 16 runs, but batted only .211.

Matt Szczur, OF

The 23-year-old boasted a solid .368 on-base percentage and stole nine bases to lead the team. However, Szczur failed to hit for any power, racking up only five extra-base hits and posting a slugging percentage of .363.

Logan Watkins, 2B

Watkins, the Cubs' 2012 Minor League Player of the Year, joined the team when Baez got hurt. The second baseman hit .219/.375/.344.

Rubi Silva, OF

Silva had an excellent year in the minors for the Cubs, but struggled mightily in the Fall League. The 23-year-old hit .206 with 21 strikeouts in 68 at-bats.

Dae-Eun Rhee, RHP

Rhee started six games for the Solar Sox and was knocked around. He posted a woeful 6.27 ERA and 1.82 WHIP in 18⅔ innings.

Tony Zych, RHP

The 22-year-old Zych enjoyed a solid stint in the Fall League, posting a 3.86 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 13 games. He did only strike out four batters, which was odd considering he boasted a strong strikeout rate in the minors.

Nick Struck, RHP

Struck, the Cubs' Minor League Pitcher of the Year, did a solid job coming out of the bullpen. He pitched in 12 games and finished with a sparkling ERA of 1.47. In 16⅓ innings, he gave up only 12 hits and struck out 11, but he also walked 12.

Kevin Rhoderick, RHP

Rhoderick finished with an impressive 0.96 WHIP, but his ERA was a mediocre 4.82 ERA in 9 games. He struck out 14 batters in 9⅓ innings.