John Sickels of Minor League Ball has posted his top 20 Cubs' prospects. (Hat tip: Cubbiepalooza.) There are no 'A' prospects. Lefthanded pitcher Mark Pawelek is #1 and outfielder Felix Pie is #2. Both are given B+ grades.

Pawelek was the Cubs' 2005 1st round draft pick out of high school. In 43 innings with the Cubs' rookie ball team in Mesa last year, Pawelek posted a 2.72 ERA with 56 Ks and 21 BBs. He will likely start this year at low-A Peoria.

In my view, the fact that the Cubs' top pitching prospect is someone who has yet to pitch in full-season A ball is evidence that the Cubs' crop of pitching prospects is not what it was in 2002. Of course, that crop largely ended up injured or traded.