Where the Cubs' Top 30 prospects are starting the season
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With the 2017 season getting started, here's a look at where the Cubs' Top 30 prospects are projected to start the season:
1. Eloy Jiménez -- Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A Adv) -- DL
- Ian Happ -- Iowa Cubs (AAA)
- Dylan Cease -- South Bend Cubs (A)
- Jeimer Candelario -- Iowa Cubs (AAA)
- Oscar de la Cruz -- Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A Adv)
- Mark Zagunis -- Iowa Cubs (AAA)
- Trevor Clifton -- Tennessee Smokies (AA)
- Jose Albertos -- Extended spring training
- D.J. Wilson -- South Bend Cubs (A)
- Eddy Martinez -- Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A Adv)
- Thomas Hatch -- Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A Adv)
- Victor Caratini -- Iowa Cubs (AAA)
- Chesny Young -- Iowa Cubs (AAA)
- Jose Paulino -- South Bend Cubs (A) -- DL
- Duane Underwood -- Tennessee Smokies (AA)
- Aramis Ademan -- Extended spring training
- Carlos Sepulveda -- Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A Adv)
- Isaac Paredes -- South Bend Cubs (A)
- José Rosario -- Iowa Cubs (AAA)
- Felix Peña -- Iowa Cubs (AAA)
- Alec Mills -- Iowa Cubs (AAA)
- Rob Zastryzny -- Iowa Cubs (AAA)
- Pierce Johnson -- Iowa Cubs (AAA)
- Bryan Hudson -- Extended spring training
- Jacob Hannemann -- Tennessee Smokies (AA) -- DL
- Ryan Williams -- Iowa Cubs (AAA)
- Bailey Clark -- Extended spring training
- P.J. Higgins -- Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A Adv)
- Preston Morrison -- Tennessee Smokies (AA)
- Jake Stinnett -- Tennessee Smokies (AA)
• Complete Cubs prospect coverage on MLBPipeline.com/cubs
Team to watch
Eleven of the Cubs' Top 30 prospects will open this season in Triple-A Iowa. Not that the big league lineup needs more help, but most of the system's best position prospects are just a step away -- second baseman/outfielder Ian Happ, corner infielder Jeimer Candelario, outfielder Mark Zagunis, catcher/first baseman Victor Caratini, infielder Chesny Young. The Iowa Cubs also could provide some relief fodder for Chicago, with right-handers Jose Rosario and Felix Pena the most promising bullpen candidates.
Where baseball's top prospects are starting the 2017 season
Teams on MiLB.TV
Iowa Cubs
Tennessee Smokies
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
South Bend Cubs
Eugene Emeralds
New faces
Right-hander Thomas Hatch was the Cubs' top pick (third round) in the 2016 Draft, but they shut him down after he pitched 130 1/3 innings while leading Oklahoma State to the College World Series. He'll make his pro debut at Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach. Righty Alec Mills provides starting pitching insurance in Triple-A after coming over from the Royals in a February trade for outfield prospect Donnie Dewees.
On the shelf
Slugging outfielder Eloy Jimenez, Chicago's best prospect, is expected to spend two weeks on Myrtle Beach's disabled list after coming down with a sore throwing shoulder during Spring Training. Left-hander Jose Paulino (hands) and outfielder Jacob Hannemann (knee) are on the DL at low Class A South Bend and Double-A Tennessee, respectively.