The Chicago Cubs have five players included on MLB.com's new list of the top 100 prospects in baseball, a solid number for an organization that has typically lacked top prospects over the past few years. Three relatively recent additions to the system are among those featured, including Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler.
2011 first round pick Javier Baez is ranked as the No. 24 prospect in all of baseball, a reflection of how his perceived stock has increased across the industry. Behind him, outfielder Albert Almora is ranked No. 52, outfielder Brett Jackson is ranked No. 74, pitcher Arodys Vizcaino is ranked No. 76 and Soler is ranked No. 77.
Under Cubs president Theo Epstein, there's been a major emphasis placed on the farm system and talent development that's finally beginning to bear fruit. Almora, Vizcaino and Soler have all been acquired since Epstein was hired, as well as pitcher Pierce Johnson, who is ranked as the ninth-best prospect in the Cubs' system.
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