Everyone knows that Willson Contreras is the hottest catcher in the entire system, if not all of minor league baseball. He’s been tearing it up at AAA Iowa, hitting .335 with 9 home runs and 35 RBI. But what would you say if I told you there is another catcher, another Cubs prospect no less, who is closing in on Contreras’ amazing first half? Ian Rice of South Bend is hitting .387 with a .500 OBP while hitting 5 homers and driving in 19 in just 25 games. He’s done it rather quietly, too.
Rice’s story begins in obscurity, as getting drafted in the 29th round is not going to put you on any top prospect lists.