As defined by Rookie of the Year eligibility, there were 43 prospects traded in the month of July. The Chicago Cubs acquired five of them, and now Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus and ESPN has ranked all 43 of those prospects. So, where do the five new Cubs fall?
Arodys Vizcaino, acquired from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Paul Maholm and Reed Johnson, is rated third behind new Marlin Jacob Turner and new Brewer Jean Segura. Vizcaino is recovering from Tommy John surgery, but had success out of the bullpen for the Braves in a short stint last year and Goldstein sees him as Chicago's future closer.
Next is third baseman Carlos Villanueva, who was nabbed from the Texas Rangers in the Ryan Dempster deal. Villanueva was stuck behind top Rangers hitting prospect Mike Olt, and may find himself in roughly the same situation in Chicago, where former first round pick Josh Vitters is closing in on the majors, and 2011 first round pick Javier Baez may one day grow his way into third base. But that's down the road, and for now, Goldstein likes Villanueva's bat and glove, and thinks he could be a solid pro if things break right.
Starting pitcher Jacob Brigham, who also came over from Texas, clocks in at No. 15. Goldstein sees him as a potential back of the rotation starter. At No. 36 is Kyle Hendricks, another ex-Ranger, who Goldstein reports has good command of his pitches but lacks big-league stuff. At No. 39 is Jaye Chapman, acquired from Atlanta. Goldstein says that he has an excellent change-up but no other pitch, and is unlikely to see much, if any, success in the majors.
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