Spotlight: Jeimer Candelario is Making Some Noise

If you’re still not quite sure who Jeimer Candelario is yet than just sit back and observe the upcoming Cactus League games. He is listed as the 10th best prospect in the Cubs system by Baseball America and has started to make a name for himself this spring among Cubs fans. Joe Maddon is taking notice too and has some really nice things to say about him in this video:

When Joe says things like this about a guy who is heading back to the minors after spring training (most likely AAA but he spent the end of 2015 at AA and playing in the AZ Fall League) you know he’s someone to keep a close eye on. It’s tough to imagine how he possibly fits onto the Cubs big league team, which is flush with infield talent, but if he keeps hitting the way he has so far this spring it’s possible that Joe may feel inclined to figure a way out.

In twenty-four at bats this spring, the switch-hitting Candelario has two home runs, four runs, two RBI’s and is hitting an impressive .333/.385/1.051. Those are stellar numbers and it will be fun to watch him for the rest of the spring to see if he can sustain them.

In a November 2013 article entitled “Future Looks Sweet For Prospect Candelario,” Carrie Muskat introduced us to Jeimer, the hard-hitting third baseman who calls the Dominican Republic his home. He signed with the Cubs in November 2010 and has been moving up the ladder ever since, both within the Cubs organization and on many baseball experts top prospect lists.

What’s even cooler is that Jeimer grew up a Cubs fan. He loved watching Sammy Sosa and Moises Alou (who didn’t?) when they both played for the Cubs. And his prediction?

I like the Cubs. We’re going to win the World Series there. Promise.

From my perspective, I can’t find anything about Jeimer not to like.