Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Cubs May Have New Rookie Ball Sensation
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Rookie league action began across minor league baseball in June and MLB.com ranked the top Chicago Cubs prospect to watch as action gets underway.
The prospect to watch is Derniche Valdez, a 17-year-old infielder who is playing for the Cubs’ Dominican Summer League team.
MLB.com put the list together, which features one prospect for each team from their rookie league teams in the Arizona Complex League, the Florida Complex League and the Dominican Summer League. All three league began play in early June.
Valdez is already the Cubs’ No. 18 overall prospect, per MLB.com:
After the Cubs signed Valdez for $2.8 million in January, vice president of international scouting Louie Eljaua said Valdez could grow into a Starlin Castro build and provide Hanley Ramirez production. He's a pure hitter with advanced bat-to-ball skills and should be able to remain at shortstop.
MLB.com projects Valdez as a 2028 call-up, which means he’ll need plenty of time to develop. He’s one of two Cubs Top 3o prospects that is playing rookie ball this season. The other is pitcher Drew Gray, a 20-year-old left-hander taken in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
Gray blew out his elbow last year and needed Tommy John surgery. He is currently on a rehab assignment with the Arizona Complex League Cubs as he continues his road back from surgery.
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