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Chicago Cubs 2018 minor league awards

By Benjamin Chase

Chicago Cubs third baseman David Bote (13) celebrates after hitting his grand slam to win the game in the bottom off the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images)
Chicago Cubs third baseman David Bote (13) celebrates after hitting his grand slam to win the game in the bottom off the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images) /
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Chicago Cubs Minor League Hitter of the Year: Jared Young

Level(s): low-A South Bend, high-A Myrtle Beach
Stats: .300/.357/.485, 120 G, 501 PA, 19 2B, 8 3B, 16 HR, 7 SB, 31/87 BB/K

Canadian Jared Young was originally drafted in the 15th round of the 2017 draft by the Chicago Cubs out of Old Dominion University. He originally played second base in his draft season, but he moved to primarily playing first base and left field in 2018 in his first full season in the Cubs system.

Young has a strong left-handed swing, capable of generating tremendous power, but also of above-average contact as well. Young is a quality athlete that could move quickly up the Cubs system and his positional versatility could make him quite valuable. He’ll most likely open 2019 in AA.

Runners-up

Rochest Cruz was a late signee by the Chicago Cubs and played his first full season in the Dominican Summer League in 2018 at 19. He had a tremendous line overall, hitting .302/.420/.404 with 56 stolen bases and a 43/29 BB/K ratio over 278 plate appearances. He will move stateside in 2019, and he could be pushed up the system quickly due to his age.

Outfielder Roberto Caro was signed out of the Dominican in 2011, and he spent three seasons in the DSL before coming stateside and just played his first year of full-season ball in 2017. Fighting off injury, he repeated A-ball levels in 2018, posting a .317/.420/.438 line in 82 games, stealing 36 bases. Caro was tried on the mound this season and tossed 3 scoreless appearances. At 25, he may have more of a future on the mound.

A 16th round selection out of Northeastern University in 2014 by the Chicago Cubs, Jason Vosler has shown plenty of power, but he’s struggled with contact over his minor league career. His 2018 season was no different, as he worked across AA and AAA, hitting .251/.330/.467, with 29 doubles and 23 home runs. The third baseman should open at AAA in 2019, but he could get a look or two at the big league level by the end of the season.

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