The Big Picture: Rankings Combined With Non-Rookies Under 25 (As Of Opening Day 2008)
1. Geovany Soto, C
2. Josh Vitters, 3B
3. Felix Pie, CF
4. Donald Veal, LHP
5. Jose Ceda, RHP
6. Josh Donaldson, C
7. Sean Gallagher, RHP
8. Tyler Colvin, OF
9. Eric Patterson, 2B/OF
10. Welington Castillo, C
Pie is a difficult player to figure out at this point, as his big-league production is so far below what he's shown in the minors. Hopefully going into spring training with a fairly firm lock on the center field job should help his confidence. That said, at this point Soto and Vitters have more impact potential. Unfortunately, the Cubs' scouting and player development staff has produced little in the last decade, and in the broad view, the system as it currently stands is not poised to change that any time soon.[/quote]
Overhaul of a scouting department is almost impossible but at one point the Red Sox were just as bad so it can be done but it is a long painful process....
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