2. Alex Lange, RHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/2/1995 (22)
2017 teams/levels played for: short-season A-ball Eugene Emeralds
2017 Stats: 4 GS, 9 1/3 IP, 4.82 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 7.3% BB, 31.7% K
Info: When Lange and fellow SEC draftee Alex Faedo matched up early in the season in a LSU/Florida matchup, it was electric to see one of the nation’s best curves against one of the nation’s best sliders. On that day, Lange had the look of the better overall pitcher in depth of repertoire, even though Faedo’s Gators got the 1-0 win on that day, with Lange going the distance.
In a deep college pitching draft, the Chicago Cubs drafted Lange 30th overall, but it was still surprising when his medicals caused a lower-than-slot signing bonus. Lange showed no ill effects as a pro from whatever the issue was (never disclosed publicly).
Lange’s curve is an absolute double-plus pitch, with mid-80s velocity and a sharp, deep break. He did use the pitch a lot in college, and he will need to be better about working off his fastball in pro ball. The heater is a solid pitch, sitting in the low-90s, but touching 96 with a lot of weight on the pitch.
Lange’s change is going to be a big thing for him. I’ve seen a few sessions of him snapping off what would be easy 60-grade changes this offseason, and that makes this ranking easier for me, but game use and session use are two different things. Having a third plus pitch would certainly move Lange from a mid-rotation/future closer projection to a guy who could be a solid #2.
Excellent “bulldog mentality” on the mound should allow Lange to succeed with an aggressive assignment from the Chicago Cubs this spring, likely to high-A, in spite of still working on things. He could move quickly if the change plays in game as well as it’s looked in session.
1. Aramis Ademan, SS
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/13/1998 (19)
2017 teams/levels played for: short-season A-ball Eugene Emeralds, low-A South Bend Cubs
2017 Stats: .267/.324/.427, 317 PA, 7 HR, 14 SB, 18/54 BB/K
Info: Sometimes the numbers simply don’t tell the whole story. Ademan’s 2017 is a great example of just that. Just 18 for the entirety of the minor league season, Ademan was considered an advanced fielder and able to handle full-season ball with the glove, so the team chose to push him, and he was able to go the whole season without embarrassing himself.
Ademan at the plate was a revelation in 2017
The Chicago Cubs originally signed Ademan for $2 million out of the Dominican due to his advanced glove. While he still makes some errors of judgement that will come with more instruction and experience, Ademan has all the tools defensively, with quick feet, soft hands, and above-average arm, and plus instincts off the bat that should allow him to be a plus shortstop down the line.
Ademan at the plate was a revelation in 2017. Many thought he would be a glove-first player and struggle with the full-season assignment, but he showed confidence in the box, good zone recognition, and a powerful swing that projects to above-average power from a true shortstop.
Ademan has very quick feet on take-off, but is more average in his top-end speed, so he will need to work on his base-stealing skills as he was caught 8 times in 22 attempts (64% success) after stealing being caught 9 times in 26 attempts in the DSL in 2016 (65%). Most teams won’t let him go with that level of success, no matter the kind of jump his feet can get.
Ademan spent just 29 games with low-A, so it’s feasible that the Chicago Cubs could have him open the season in the Midwest League again, especially to have him go through the rigors of early-season weather in the upper Midwest, but he should be up to high-A at some point in the season at just 19, an impressive feat indeed.
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