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MLB: 5 sleeping giants who will be contenders soon

By Robby Sabo

May 22, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 3, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (left) wears his hat and jersey in front of president of baseball operations Theo Epstein (right) as Maddon is introduced during a press conference at the Cubby Bear Lounge near Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (left) wears his hat and jersey in front of president of baseball operations Theo Epstein (right) as Maddon is introduced during a press conference at the Cubby Bear Lounge near Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Cubs

  • Last Winning Season: 2009, 83-78
  • Last Playoff Appearance: 2008, Lost in NLDS
  • Organizational Ranking: No. 1
  • Target Breakout: 2016 (Possibly 2015)

Here comes the obvious selection.

There are very few who wouldn’t agree that the Chicago Cubs currently lie as sleeping giants in baseball.

They possess a front office leader in Theo Epstein who has already won before. His work as a young baseball executive in Boston was not only impressive, it was downright scary. After 86-years of failures, all it took for the Red Sox to shake the “Curse of the Bambino,” was a bright-eyed youngster to enter Fenway Park.

Chicago is also now equipped with a manager who was the leader of one of baseball’s most shocking sleeping giants in the Tampa Bay Rays. After years of laughingstock play, Joe Maddon and his Rays broke through in 2008 with an AL Pennant.

The third component to the sleeping giant equation here is the fact that Epstein has already loaded this farm system to an incredible level.

These young Cubbies are no joke, and Baseball America doesn’t think so either.

Their organizational talent is currently ranked No. 1 in all the land. Led by soon to be super-stud third baseman Kris Bryant, baseball fans can easily make the case that the 2016 Cubs will look completely different compared to 2015’s Opening Day version.

Of course Bryant, who is currently dubbed as the top prospect in baseball, will soon be the third-baseman in Chicago. What has other teams shaking their heads is that the Cubs also possess the No. 3 prospect in baseball in shortstop Addison Russell.

Russell was acquired from Billy Beane in the Jeff Smardzija deal. While current shortstop Starlin Castro has three All-Star appearances under his belt, nobody thinks he’s long for the Cubs organization.

Other eventual plugins should be Javier Baez at second-base, Kyle Schwarber at catcher or outfielder, and Billy McKinney somewhere in the outfield.

Young Cubbies Future Lineup (by position):

  • C: Kyle Schwarber
  • 1B: Anthony Rizzo
  • 2B: Javier Baez
  • SS: Addison Russell
  • 3B: Kris Bryant
  • OF: Jorge Soler
  • OF: Billy McKinney
  • OF: Albert Almora

Young Cubbies Future Rotation:

  1. Jon Lester, LHP
  2. C.J. Edwards, RHP
  3. Pierce Johnson, RHP
  4. Duane Underwood, RHP
  5. Jake Stinnett, RHP

Obviously Jon Lester represents the lone veteran who definitely figures into future plans.

What’s silly is the talent doesn’t just stop there.

Eloy Jimenez is an 18-year old outfielder who was widely considered the top International prospect on the market in 2013. Jen Ho-Tseng represents a righty-arm who can help in a couple of years. And to throw the cherry on top of the riches they enjoy in the infield, Gleyber Torres is an 18-year old shortstop who’ll be coming down the road after Baez and Russell.

Epstein’s strategy of providing larger bonuses to mid-round picks has worked to perfection in Chicago.

It’s not a matter of if the Cubs will become a dominant franchise for years to come, it’s when.

Next: Homer-Dome Is A Thing Of The Past

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