Chicago Cubs young players are getting a fresh start. With the Cubs having basically a whole new front office, there are fresh eyes that will be watching the Cubs and a chance to make a new first impression.
These are the Chicago Cubs minor league players that I feel have a new shot and may very well take advantage of it. Now the compensation deal has still not been completed with the Boston Red Sox and I do not think any other these players will end up in the deal, but you never know.
Hayden Simpson
He has been a bust since being the Cubs number one draft pick in 2010. He had a bout with mononucleosis and lost a lot of weight. He also lost several miles per hour off of his fastball. After a great start it was all down hill as he went 1-10 and was sent back to Arizona in the rookie league to work on his game.
He now has a chance for a new start as this off season he can build his weight as well as his arm strength back to where it was. He is only 22 years old and still has a chance to be a part of the Chicago Cubs plans going forward. The slate is clean and he has to start to show the promise that Tim Wilken saw in him to make him the Cubs number one pick.
Josh Vitters
He has been a source of discussion also among Cubs fans. Josh is considered the number five of the Cubs top ten draft picks and by now should have been a shoe-in to replace Aramis Ramirez, but things have not gone as plan. Vitters has had some injuries that have set him back. Everyone knows he can hit, but he has not shown he can play defensively at third base.
He has been moved around, but Oneri Fleita says he will be at third base next season. This may be his last chance to show the Cubs that he can be the third baseman to take over long term for them.
Jay Jackson
He is still in the Cubs top ten of prospects and seem like he has been with the organization for a decade. He was 8-14 last year and went from starter to bullpen to starter again. His estimated arrival date was this past season so he is no longer on track or considered a top prospect. He has been up and down all over the Cubs minor league system, but I think it showed a lot when the Cubs had two major injuries early last season and he was never brought up to fill in.
If he sticks with the Cubs it will be his last chance to show the staff that he can help.
These three players need to start showing the new Cubs brass that they can perform at a high level and help the Cubs in the very near future. If they do not then the Cubs will have to go in a different direction.