It's well-established how tough being a Cubs fan can be. You give and give, and they never deliver. But still you hope and hope, praying the next batch of newcomers turns it all around.
The Cubs have plenty of talent to excite the fan base, including Javier Baez, Kris Bryant and Addison Russell. Then there's this group. RedEye joined forces with The Sports Bank, made up a group of prospects, then asked Cubs fans to give a scouting report.
Some took the bait. But don't judge them-with no time to Google, anyone could have been caught.
Phrase: NOT REAL
Name: Ron Leta
Position: P, 6-4, 220
Hometown/college: Galveston, Texas, Northwestern University
Bio: A big, tall overpowering Texan pitcher in the mold of Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens and Kerry Wood. Grew up idolizing former Cubs and Northwestern player Joe Girardi.
Fan's take:"He's gonna be a badass."
Phrase: JUST PLAYING
Name: Jason Yatung
Position: P, 6-1, 260
Hometown/college: Fort Myers, Fla./drafted directly out of Fort Myers High School
Bio: Has a great split-fingered fastball, been known to reach 98-99 mph on the radar gun. Weight, conditioning an issue.
Fan's take:"I actually saw him play against the [South Bend] Silver Hawks, and he did really well against them."
Phrase: DOES NOT EXIST
Name: Don Essex III
Position: OF, 6-2, 160
Hometown/college: Naperville, /drafted directly out of Naperville Central High School
Bio: Third-generation professional baseball player. Grandfather never progressed above A ball, father reached AAA. Was a third-round draft pick. Scouts think he needs to hit the weight room.
Fan's take:"We're obviously not gonna win it this year. So we've gotta get some younger players in place and see what we can build."
Phrase: FAKE NAME
Name: Mark Faea
Position: 2B, 5-9, 178
Hometown/college: Mission Viejo, Calif., UC-Santa Barbara
Bio: First-round draft pick, friends with Mark Prior. Was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award in college. Speedy middle infielder played wide receiver on the football team in college.
Fan's take:"Any good ballplayer that's being talked about-we're talking about him right now-he's gotta have something that's worthwhile."
Phrase: FOOLED YOU
Name: Doug Yelouf
Position: P, 6-6, 235
Hometown/college: Santa Claus, Ind., Vanderbilt
Bio: Was drafted and scouted by Theo Epstein. Doesn't know Jay Cutler, but is from the same hometown and went to Cutty's alma mater. Played in the 2010 College World Series.
Fan's take:"He looks pretty good."
RedEye special contributor Paul M. Banks is CEO of thesportsbank.net.
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