Baseball Prospectus Rates Addison Rusell As No. 2 Prospect, While Kris Bryant Is No. 5
(CBS) Baseball Prospectus released its new 2015 prospect rankings Monday, and the Cubs are well-represented on it.
Shortstop Addison Russell is rated as baseball's second-best prospect, behind only Twins outfielder prospect Byron Buxton. In addition, the Cubs boast the fifth-rated prospect in slugging third baseman Kris Bryant.
Other Cubs on the top 101 list are outfielder Jorge Soler at No. 19, outfielder Albert Almora at No. 38, catcher/outfielder Kyle Schwarber at No. 77, outfielder Billy McKinney at No. 81 and right-hander Pierce Johnson at No. 83.
Russell dealt with injuries last season and finished the year at Double-A, hitting a combined .295 with 13 homers and 45 RBIs in 68 games at two levels. He's a non-roster invitee to Cubs spring training, but he's not expected to be up early in the year. Later in the season remains a possibility, depending on Chicago's needs and Russell's progression.
Bryant dominated in time split between Double-A and Triple-A last season, hitting .325 with 43 homers and 110 RBIs in 138 games. He's also been invited to spring training, and if he doesn't make the Cubs' opening day roster, he's expected to be called up early in the season.
Soler is expected to be one of Chicago's starting outfielders after hitting .292 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 24 games at the big league level last season. He remains on the prospect list because he's played so few games in the majors.
Almora and Johnson finished the 2014 season at Double-A, while Schwarber and McKinney finished the year at high-Class A.
The White Sox had two prospects make the list. Shortstop Tim Anderson checked in at No. 39. He finished the 2014 season at Double-A and hit a combined .303 with nine homers and 40 RBIs in 84 games at three different levels.
Left-hander Carlos Rodon was rated the 41st-best prospect by BP. After being drafted out of NC State in June, Rodon compiled a 2.96 ERA in nine appearances, including six starts, at three different minor league levels. He finished 2014 at Triple-A and has a fair chance to make the opening day roster for the White Sox.
