Gonzales: Cubs could be looking to add homegrown talent in 2022. Here are a few options
President Jed Hoyer has vowed the Cubs will be more active this off-season in the free agent market simply based on need.
That will temper the desires of fans clamoring immediately for Brennen Davis, who ascended as the top player in the system after advancing from High Class-A South Bend to Triple-A Iowa and gaining national attention by hitting two home runs in the Futures Game at Coors Field.
"He's had an incredible year," Hoyer said Sept. 24. "We've already accelerated his path."
While Davis, 21, might have to wait until next midseason to receive his first major league promotion, team officials might have more time to evaluate his credentials as well as the ability of other candidates in the farm system.
The Collective Bargaining Agreement expires Dec. 1, and teams could be hesitant to sign free agents until the CBA is finalized and issues such as services time connected to free agency and salary arbitration eligibility and free agent compensation are finalized.
Until executives and agents know the ground rules, the most of the internal attention will surround each team's prospects.
Here are the top homegrown candidates to infiltrate the major league roster at various points of the 2022 season:
Brennen Davis
Unlike Kris Bryant, Davis signed out of high school and had only 573 professional at-bats entering Triple-A Iowa's season-ending series against Omaha.
Davis' strikeout rate has dropped to 22.6 percent in 53 plate appearances at Iowa. But the Cubs would like to see Davis and their other young hitters make more contact and get away from an all-or-nothing style that saw them fade before the All-Star break.
Based on his improvements without the benefit of a 2020 season due to the COVID pandemic, Davis might not need much seasoning at Iowa next season. His batting average on balls in play (BABIP) increased from .344 at Double-A Tennessee to .379 at Iowa. Davis' WRC+ (weighted runs created plus) is 189 - 89 points above what's considered the league average.
Center fielder Rafael Ortega hit well against left-handers, but he could be a placeholder until Davis is deemed ready. Davis has played all three outfield positions this season.
Brailyn Marquez
Marquez, 22, didn't pitch this season due to COVID protocols and a sore left shoulder. But the Cubs thought enough of his progress one year ago that they promoted him from their alternate site camp to the majors despite not pitching above Class-A.
Team officials trust their eyes more than numbers when it comes to evaluating prospects worthy of a promotion, and Marquez could help the major league club at some point if he can stay healthy and regain the polished mechanics he refined at the alternate site with the aid of the instructors.
An innings restriction is axiomatic for 2022, but Marquez could help the bullpen in low-leverage situations provided he can find his late 2020 form. He's still worthy of a spot in the rotation in the future.
Ben Leeper
Leeper, 24, is one of the rarest of rarities in the system, having signed for $20,000 in 2020 as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State following two Tommy John surgeries and starting his professional career this spring at Tennessee and immediately excelling.
Leeper's high 90 mph fastball/sharp slider mix has contributed to 53 strikeouts in 35 innings at Tennessee and Iowa before he was placed on the 7-day IL on Aug. 25. He has limited opponents to an .090 batting average in 20 2/3 innings at Tennessee.
Nelson Velazquez
The Cubs don't have a plethora of outfielders close to the majors, but Velazquez might be turning the corner after a slow start. One opposing scout was impressed with the manner Velazquez adjusted to breaking pitches.
Velazquez, 22, hit 20 homers at South Bend and Tennessee. He could project as a .240 hitter with power.
Miguel Amaya
Amaya's elbow injury limited him to 23 games at Tennessee and cost him valuable time as catcher Willson Contreras moves closer to free agency.
Amaya likely won't resume baseball work on a full-time basis until after Thanksgiving. But his throwing and receiving skills have garnered attention in past spring trainings His ability to adjust to a new swing path could dictate how quickly he advances and whether he replaces Contreras or is eventually surpassed by a flock of lower-level prospects.
@MDGonzales