Some Cubs prospects who might have an ‘impact’

For years, the Cubs have been lambasted for having a “weak” farm system.

In fairness, that system has produced a good number of players who have contributed to the major-league team in recent years, including the division winners in 2007 and 2008.

Players such as Geovany Soto, Ryan Theriot, Michael Wuertz, Carlos Marmol, Sean Marshall and Kerry Wood played parts in one or both of those years.

Of recent vintage, Starlin Castro stands out in a field that includes James Russell, Darwin Barney, Jeff Samardzija, Rafael Dolis, Tony Campana, Steve Clevenger and Welington Castillo.

And the Cubs have used the system to acquire players such as Matt Garza.

We’ll see how the latest crop pans out. Aside from Castro, the biggest criticism of the Cubs’ system in recent years is that there hasn’t been an “impact player.”

That might be changing. We’ll look at a few with “impact” potential.

Brett Jackson:

Manager Dale Sveum seemed pained that the Cubs sent Jackson back to minor-league camp recently, saying the center fielder of the future looks ready now.

But from Day One, the new Cubs brass has said it won’t rush top prospects such as Jackson and first baseman Anthony Rizzo, with team president Theo Epstein saying he likes to use time in Class AAA to add polish to player’s game.

That’s probably a good thing. If the Cubs aren’t going anywhere this year and with viable options already in place, let Jackson and Rizzo work on the areas where they need work.

Jackson had a nice season last year between Class AA Tennessee and Class AAA Iowa. The Cubs’ No. 1 draft pick from 2009 had a hitting line of .256/.373/.443 with 10 homers at Tennessee before going .297/.388/.551 with 10 homers in 48 games at Iowa.

At Tennessee, Jackson struck out 74 times and walked 45 in 246 at-bats. At Iowa, it was 64 strikeouts and 28 walks in 185 ABs.

Perhaps it’s better to allow Jackson to work on lowering his strikeouts in the minor leagues instead of being thrown into it against big-league pitchers right away.

Veteran center fielder Marlon Byrd still is on the Cubs’ roster, but interestingly, trade rumors have heated up. There’s still nothing that says Jackson will open with the Cubs if Byrd indeed is traded. But he could push to be here by June in any case.

Anthony Rizzo:

Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer know plenty about Rizzo, having drafted him in Boston. Epstein traded him to Hoyer when Hoyer was GM of the Padres.

Rizzo tore it up in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League last year with Tucson, going .331/.404/.652 with 26 homers and 101 RBI. Hoyer blamed himself for bringing Rizzo to the Padres, with whom he struggled, going .141/.281/.242 with 1 homer in 49 games.

Rizzo acquitted himself well this spring training, going 12-for-33 with a batting line of .364/.417/.545 with 2 homers and 5 RBI. He also is a left-handed first baseman who fields the position well, something that should help the Cubs long term.

For the short term, the Cubs are committed to journeyman Bryan LaHair, who is getting his first real shot in the bigs after toiling for most of nine years in the minor leagues.

The performances of both players will determine if and when the Cubs go with Rizzo.

Trey McNutt:

There was some talk last year that the Cubs would have brought right-hander Trey McNutt up from Tennessee after the starting rotation was blown apart by injuries.

But McNutt developed problems with finger blisters and never could get his season on track. McNutt went 5-6 with a 4.55 ERA last year, but in three minor-league seasons he’s 18-8 with a 3.13 ERA.

He’s 6-feet-4 and 220 pounds, and if he regains his command and keeps the ball down, he could be knocking on the door in September or by next spring.

bmiles@dailyherald.com