Minor League Review: Daytona Cubs

Today I’ll take a look at the Daytona Cubs of the Florida State League (high A). 

Overall, Daytona finished 64-71, the 4th worst record in the FSL.  As a team, they hit .253 and finished last in the league with just 42 homeruns.  However, they were second in the league with 155 stolen bases.  Put it all together and they scored the 4th fewest runs in the league with 527.

On the pitching side, they finished with a respectable 3.44 ERA good for third in the league and were second with 13 shutouts.

Top Hitting Prospects

1. Starlin Castro – The Cubs top shortstop prospect, Castro was ranked the Cubs 7th best prospect (preseason) by Baseball America and he did nothing to disappoint.  He hit .302 in 96 games with Daytona, including 22 steals, before earning a promotion to Tennessee.  Overall, he finished with a .299/.342/.392 line and is currently tearing up the Arizona Fall League with a .433 average.  He could potentially get a September callup in 2010 with an eye towards the starting shortstop job in 2011.
2. Brandon Guyer – Considered the best athelete in the Cubs system by Baseball America, Guyer tore up the FSL hitting .347 in 73 games (265 AB’s) before being promoted to AA.  He added a .407 OBP and 23 steals (in 25 attempts) to boot.  While he didn’t fare as well in AA (.190 ave in 57 games), he showed enough to be considered one of the Cubs top 10-15 prospects.
3. Tony Campana – A 13th round pick in the 2008 draft, Campana was promoted to Daytona from Peoria early in the year.  He posted a .284 ave in 108 games for Daytona.  Although he showed little power (.312 Slg), Campana’s best asset is his speed.  He swiped 55 bases for Daytona and 66 for the year.  It remains to be seen where centerfielder Campana fits in the Cubs plans, but he could become another Wily Taveras/Juan Pierre type player.

Top Pitching Prospects

1. Andrew Cashner – Rated the third best Cubs prospect (preseason) by Baseball America, Cashner lived up to the lofty ranking by dominating the FSL.  In 42 innings over 12 starts, Cashner posted a 1.50 ERA.  He gave up only 31 hits and 15 walks while striking out 34.  He was promoted to AA Tennessee for another 12 starts and finished the year with an overall 2.60 ERA in 100.1 IP.  He is continuing to refine his skills in the Arizona Fall League and could be the longshot/sleeper for the 5th starting spot in 2010.
2. Jay Jackson – The Cubs 9th best prospect as rated by Baseball America, Jackson also dominated the FSL posting a 1.64 ERA in 7 starts (38.1 IP).  However, what was most impressive was his 46/4 K/BB ratio.  Jackson was promoted to AA Tennessee, where he made 16 starts and posted a 3.70 ERA.  He finished the season at AAA Iowa, where he made 1 start.  Overall, he finished with a 2.98 ERA and 127 K’s in 127 IP.
3. Craig Muschko – Not as highly regarded as Jackson and Cashner, Muschko nonetheless impressed in his first year at Daytona, posting a 3.31 ERA and an 85/19 K/BB ratio in 103.1 innings.  After spending most of the first half of the season as a reliever, with poor results (4.82 ERA in 46.2 IP), he was converted to a starter and pitched lights out the rest of the season.  Overall, as a starter, he was 3-2 with a 2.06 ERA and a 53/10 K/BB ratio in 56.2 IP.

Overall, there was a good mix of prospects at Daytona.  Starlin Castro is definitely the star of the bunch, but don’t forget about Guyer, Cashner and Jackson.  All should be solid regulars in the bigs.  As for Campana and Muschko, they have talent but it remains to be seen how that will translate to the bigs.

Next up, I will be reviewing the AA Tennessee Smokies on Tuesday.  You can check out my full minor league review schedule HERE.

Tags: Andrew Cashner, Brandon Guyer, Chicago Cubs, Craig Muschko, Jay Jackson, Minor Leagues, Stalin Castro, Starlin Castro, Tony Campana