Chicago Cubs' Top 5 Prospects

A key factor to any Major League team's sustained success is their minor league system. Draft picks will hopefully turn into prospects who in turn can help their parent club in a number of ways. Young players can be brought up to the Major's to fill a variety of roles or be used as important pieces in trades that could land the all-important missing ingredient for a Playoff run.

Unfortunately the Chicago Cubs farm system has not been all that productive in recent years. Fans have been teased with rumors of can't miss prospects like Corey Patterson, Felix Pie and Rich Hill who all turned out to be disappointments. This trend has started to turn on the Northside however. With the likes of Ryan Theriot and Carlos Marmol making an impact on the Major League level as well as spring training sensation, Tyler Colvin garnering attention the future is looking bright.

With that in mind here are five prospects who could find their way to Wrigley Field in the very near future.

Ryan Flaherty - 2B/SS

Flaherty was the Cubs' first pick in the 2008 supplemental draft out of Vanderbilt. He is known more for his bat than he is for his glove. His first full season was 2009, and he put up respectable numbers hitting .297 while also clubbing 20 homers and driving in 81 runs. Many feel Flaherty is at least one year away and will not be in the Majors before 2011. He has shown plus power, good plate discipline, and could be a decent stolen base threat. He has drawn comparison to Cubs' legend, Ryne Sandberg. If Flaherty can come close to that kind of potential he would be a welcome addition to an ageing Cubs' infield.

Jay Jackson - RHP

Another 2008 draft pick by the Cubs, Jackson was able to move through the farm system at warp speed. He did experience some disciplinary issues while at Double-A which set him back. These issues are not expected to continue however. In his minor league career thus far Jackson has held hitters to a .230 average while averaging nearly a strikeout an inning. Not only is Jackson a pitching talent, he has some skill with the bat as well. While playing for Furman College he compiled a .304 batting average with 23 homeruns and 115 RBI's. If Jackson stays on track he could be competing for a spot in the Cubs' pitching rotation as early as 2011.

Josh Vitters - 3B

Vitters was drafted in 2001 at the ripe old age of 17. He has yet to play above Single-A, but at 19-years of age he still has plenty of time. Vitters has plus power potential, and scouts have already begun comparing him to Cubs' current 3B, Aramis Ramirez. Vitters defensive skills are somewhat lacking, but he has shown improvement each year. Though it is doubtful Vitters will see any time in the Big Leagues this year, he could be ready by 2012 which incidentally is the year Aramis Ramirez's contract is up.

Andrew Cashner - RHP

Yet another 2008 draft pick, Cashner has the size, he's 6'6, and the pitches including a 95-97 MPH fastball to make it all the way to the Majors. Though the Cubs have tried to transition Cashner from a reliever which he was a standout as at Texas Christian to a starter, his real value however could be as a set-up man. With the injury to Angel Guzman looming large and the Cubs' inconsistent relieving corps, Cashner could very well find himself toeing the rubber in the Cubs' bullpen this year.

Starlin Castro - SS

I do not think this pick would come as a surprise to anyone who has followed baseball this past year. Castro has been the talk of the spring after coming seemingly from no where. He has yet to play above Double-A, but proved during spring training he has Major League skills. Many feel the only reason he did not make the Cubs' roster out of spring was to push back his arbitration eligibility. Defensively he could be the Cubs' starting shortstop right now. He does need to fill out a little more and at 20-years of age this should happen naturally. If there is any injury in the Cubs' middle infield look for Castro to be called up. It is not out of the realm of possibility that Castro could be flashing the leather for the Chicago Cubs by the All-Start break as it stands now.

Jonathan Mayo, "Cubs' 10 prospects to watch in 2010", Cubs.com

"Top 20 Cubs Prospects 2009", Goatriders.org