Cubs Prospect Notes: Almora to the DL, Pitcher Updates (Johnson, Rivero, De La Cruz)

Aug 16, 2016

Let’s talk about the prospects …

Last week, Albert Almora Jr. suffered a thumb contusion, after falling to the ground chasing a ball in the gap. Although he remained in the game (and even took another at bat later on), Almora was reportedly visibly uncomfortable and was ultimately removed.

At the time, Iowa Manager Marty Pevey was relatively optimistic, indicating that no X-rays had yet been taken and that the disabled list wasn’t a foregone conclusion; however, according to the I-Cubs roster page, Albert Almora Jr. has indeed been sent to the 7-day disabled list. There isn’t a ton of new information out there, so hopefully this is just a sit down, rest-up, and get back out there kind of injury, especially considering the likelihood of his call back up to the Majors in about two weeks (rosters expand on September 1). That said, Almora is already on the 40-man roster and Iowa plays games until September 5. So, even if he needed more time to get back up to game speed, there’s plenty of breathing room available. Using Almora as a late-game defensive replacement in September/October might not be the most valuable element to the Cubs hopefully deep playoff run, but it certainly is a nice, extra weapon. We’ll update you, as soon as we hear more.

[adinserter block=”1″][adinserter block=”10″]

At BP Wrigleyville, Ryan Davis writes about Pierce Johnson (who is now 25 years old, can you believe that?) and his transition into the bullpen this season. After recording a 7.75 ERA through his first eleven starts in 2016, the Cubs decided to make the switch, turning Johnson into one of their multi-inning relievers. Since joining the bullpen, Johnson has made six appearances in relief, all but one for more than one inning. Davis has the scoop on the transition here, including a number of great comments from Johnson himself – including, according to Johnson, the possibility of a September call-up, when rosters expand. If he’s truly taking to his new role as a reliever, it’s entirely possible we can see Johnson sooner rather than later.

Another righty who could plausibly see time in September is right-handed reliever Armando Rivero. Rivero has long been discussed around these parts, but has rarely been mentioned as a likely call-up this season. But with rosters expanding in September, it’s possible. In fact, if he can continue what he’s done in the Minors, he might even look mighty good in the Cubs bullpen come October. Consider, since June 15, Rivero has posted a 0.32 ERA (lol) over 28.0 innings in relief, with a 1.79 FIP to support it. He’s also recored an excellent 39.3% strikeout rate, to just a 9.8% walk rate. And while the latter number is relatively high, the former is entering elite levels. To be certain, Rivero, 28, will need to show what he can do against Major League hitters, but he could be a pleasant surprise.

On Thursday night, Oscar De La Cruz exited his game after 5.0 no-hit innings, featuring six strikeouts to just one walk. Despite working on history, he left the game due to a pitch count set in place after suffering an injury earlier this season. Although it’s quite clearly the right move for his career, I’m sure it was a bit of a bummer in the moment. Guys are so infrequently working towards something like that, but reaching the Majors as a healthy, successful starting pitcher would likely trump it anyway. Through three starts with the South Bend Cubs this season, Cruz has a 0.61 ERA (1.50 FIP), with an outrageous 41.5% strikeout rate and a 5.7% walk rate. After a very nice 2015 season as well, Cruz may is very likely the top pitching prospect in the Cubs organization. Luke placed him number 4 overall in the Bleacher Nation Midseason Top 40 Cubs Prospect Rankings.

[adinserter block=”2″]

And a couple items from The Bullets earlier this morning, but which fit here:

Third base prospect Wladimir Galindo – a less-heralded, later-signing member of that big 2013 IFA class – won NWL Player of the Week honors after hitting .467/.515/.867 with six doubles and a couple homers. The young man has significant power, and the potential to be a tremendous hitter, but he’s going to have to dramatically reduce his strikeout rate (and ability to recognize breaking pitches) to get there.

At South Bend, pitcher Oscar De La Cruz won Pitcher of the Week honors for the Midwest League, which is completely unsurprising, because the 21-year-old was just overpoweringly dominant in his two outings for the week. If healthy, I am not sure you can really debate that he’s the best pitching prospect in the Cubs’ system, because he almost certainly is. The forearm injury that kept him out until a few weeks ago is, of course, a big question, but we’ve seen in recent years that the Cubs are extremely cautious with young pitchers. For that reason, De La Cruz might still finish the year out at South Bend, even though his stuff and his polish is probably better challenged a level or even two levels higher. Hopefully he has a healthy offseason, and a full year in 2017 – it’s not at all crazy to say that he’s the type of arm that could fly up the ranks and contribute out of the big league bullpen late next season as part of a plan to expose him to big league pitching with an eye toward him starting in 2018 and beyond. I’m getting way ahead of myself.”

[adinserter block=”3″]

written by

Michael Cerami

Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Braves 7, Cubs 0 – May 14, 2024

Not every game is a referendum on a team. Actually, come to think of it, a single game is NEVER a referendum on a team. Anyway, point is, a whole lot of teams are going to get stomped by these...

Brett Taylor

May 14, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pablo Aliendo Goes Way Deep, Alexander Canario Goes Way Grand

Pablo Aliendo gave the Tennessee Smokies an early lead on Tuesday night. Matching up with the Rocket City Trash Pandas, Aliendo sent a ball deep into left field during the 2nd inning. The homer gave the Smokies an early 1-0...

Elias Schuster

May 14, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Nico Hoerner Was Scratched Just Before Tonight’s Game Started

You know that expression, when it rains, it pours? This is like that, except instead of raining, it is pouring deluxe turds. Just an absolute monsoon of shit. Another Cubs injury issue to another key Cubs player: https://twitter.com/maddie_m_lee/status/1790522697002455532 So, Nico...

Brett Taylor

May 14, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Braves (6:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs were shutout in the opener against the Braves last night. And it doesn't figure to get any easier against a resurgent Chris Sale tonight. Here's how Craig Counsell will line 'em up against the 35-year-old...

Michael Cerami

May 14, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Adbert Alzolay Update: Imaging Results, Timeline, and a Sprinkle of (Unexpected) Optimism

I had the weirdest reaction to what is objectively bad injury news on Adbert Alzolay just now. According to Meghan Montemurro, medical imaging confirmed that Adbert Alzolay has a right flexor strain. While I should have been upset to learn...

Michael Cerami

May 14, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Jed Hoyer Speaks: New Reliever, Bullpen Issues, Imanaga, Morel, Swanson, Bat Data, More

The Chicago Cubs' President of Baseball Operations just hopped on 670 The Score On the Bernstein & Holmes Show, discussing a number of Cubs-related items. He led things off with a discussion of newly-acquired reliever, Tyson Miller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hes1lI-8ZCI So, then,...

Brett Taylor

May 14, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Shota Imanaga Favored for NL Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, MVP, Nobel Peace Prize, and an Oscar

There is nothing Shota Imanaga can't do. Going up against one of the best teams in baseball — and best overall offenses versus LHP — on the road, without his best stuff, Shota Imanaga tossed 5.0 scoreless innings in Atlanta, with...

Michael Cerami

May 14, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Shōta and ReyLo Duel, New MLB Pipeline Top 100, Investigating the New Statcast Swing Metrics, More

Baseball's top two pitchers in the ERA department squared off last night and did not disappoint—that and more in today's MLB Notes. Shōta Imanaga Was Awesome (Again), But So Was Reynaldo Lopez I've watched a lot of Reynaldo López, given...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 14, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | May 14, 2024: Top 25 Prospect Stock Report

The Chicago Cubs minor league affiliates were off on Monday, so it's time to take stock of some recent hot (and not-so-hot) performers inside the Cubs Top 25 prospects down on the farm in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 14, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Did You Ever Wonder What Happened to Frank Schwindel?

I've gotten back into baseball cards, which, among other things, sends me down a lot of Memory Lanes. You pull a particular card, you think about that player, and you have various memories. It's part of the fun. The other...

Brett Taylor

May 14, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Braves 7, Cubs 0 – May 14, 2024

Not every game is a referendum on a team. Actually, come to think of it, a single game is NEVER a referendum on a team. Anyway, point is, a whole lot of teams are going to get stomped by these...

Brett Taylor

May 14, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pablo Aliendo Goes Way Deep, Alexander Canario Goes Way Grand

Elias Schuster

May 14, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Nico Hoerner Was Scratched Just Before Tonight’s Game Started

Brett Taylor

May 14, 2024

Chicago Bears

WATCH: Caleb Williams is Already Making Connections with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen at Halas Hall

Caleb Williams clips, however brief, will always grab my attention. Because while I can tell myself over and over again that I will not get googly eyes over spring practice videos, the reality is that I can't wait to see...

Luis C. Medina

May 14, 2024

MLB

How to Watch Phillies Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

If you are a Philadelphia Phillies fan and looking to catch their games, you can watch most of them on TV with a cable subscription or via streaming with one of the many different apps. Let’s break down the cable...

Brian Twining

May 14, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

Connor Bedard Scored Again for Canada

Oh hey! Blackhawks' star Connor Bedard scored his fifth goal of the World Championships for Canada on Tuesday afternoon. https://twitter.com/BN_Blackhawks/status/1790468565675483262 Bedard helped Canada sprint to a 6-1 lead... which evaporated as Austria scored five unanswered goals in the third period...

Tab Bamford

May 14, 2024

MLB

How to Watch Yankees Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

The Bronx is booming! Yankee Stadium crackles with energy as the New York Yankees chase another World Series title. Whether you're a die-hard Yankees fan bleeding pinstripes or a baseball enthusiast captivated by the American League East race, their remaining...

Brian Twining

May 14, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Adbert Alzolay Update: Imaging Results, Timeline, and a Sprinkle of (Unexpected) Optimism

Michael Cerami

May 14, 2024

Chicago Bears

Kiran Amegadjie Reportedly Signed His Rookie Deal (UPDATE: It’s Officially Official)

Chicago Bears offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie is reportedly signing his rookie deal. NFL reporter Aaron Wilson has details on the contract, which includes: A $1.121 million signing bonus Annual workout bonus of $50,000 per year from 2025-27 Total deal worth...

Luis C. Medina

May 14, 2024

News

2024 PGA Championship Prize Purse and Payout Breakdown: How Much Money Does the Winner Make?

The countdown has begun for the highly anticipated PGA Championship. As the second major of the 2024 calendar, this prestigious event will grace the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, from May 16-19. This year marks the 106th edition of the championship,...

Ryan Noonan

May 14, 2024

Cubs Prospect Notes: Almora to the DL, Pitcher Updates (Johnson, Rivero, De La Cruz)

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular