20-year old righty swinging 3B Josh Vitters was the Cubs’ top rated prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. He played in 119 games in A-ball this season and he was 130 for 458 (.284 avg, .770 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 18 homers, 68 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. He does like to swing at everything as he only walked 12 times this season. But he still makes a lot of contact whiffing only 65 times. With Aramis Ramirez entrenched at 3B for the near future the Cubs can be patient with Vitters bringing him along slowly.

23-year old lefty swinging catcher Steve Clevenger is making a rise in the Cubs’ farm system. He was the #11 prospect in the Cubs’ system heading into this season according to Baseball America. Clevenger has played in 73 games in AA+AAA ball this season and he is 72 for 243 (.296 avg, .735 OPS) with 26 runs scored, 1 homer, 26 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. If the Cubs need a catcher in the near future and don’t want to trade for one they might give Clevenger a chance.

24-year old righty reliever Jose Ascanio pitched in 14 games (0 starts) earlier this season for the Cubs and he was 0-1 with a 3.52 ERA and a 1.76 WHIP. Instead of sulking, Ascanio appears motivated to get back to the show soon. He has pitched in 7 games (all starts) in AAA-ball and he is 1-1 with a 0.88 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. Ascanio will get another chance soon if the need arises in Chicago.

22-year old lefty swinging outfielder Tyler Colvin was the #3 prospect in the Cubs’ minor league system coming into this season according to Baseball America but he isn’t playing up to it right now. Colvin has played in 93 games in AA-Ball for the Cubs this season and he is 86 for 361 (.238 avg, .689 OPS) with 48 runs scored, 7 homers, 46 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. The Cubs like Colvin’s upside but he’ll need to start showing more to earn a promotion before this year is over.

23-year old lefty starting pitcher Donald Veal is the #6 prospect in the Cubs’ minor league system according to the Baseball America Prospect Handbook and the team was happy that the A’s didn’t ask for him in the Rich Harden trade. Veal has started 19 games in AA ball this season and he is 4-5 with a 3.33 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. But, he’s been very wild and that will need to change before he’s promoted above AA. He has walked 52 batters and hit 9 of them in only 100 innings. Veal will have a bright future with the Cubs if he can learn to tame the flame.