NEWSLETTER
If Adbert Alzolay does get the call for the Cubs this weekend, he will be the first significant (borderline top 100 type) starting pitching prospect to come up with the Cubs since Kyle Hendricks. He will also represent the very leading edge of a still-developing wave of pitching coming through the middle ranks of the minors.
Following Alzolay in the next twelve to seventeen months could be a resurgent Duane Underwood (2.62 ERA, 3.31 FIP), as well as Thomas Hatch (2.97 ERA, 4.40 FIP), Matt Swarmer (2.51 ERA, 1.38 FIP, 11.69 K/9), Alex Lange (4.65 ERA, 2.94 FIP), Trevor Clifton (3.68 ERA, 3.66 FIP), Michael Rucker (3.75 FIP, 9.68 K/9), and Oscar De La Cruz (4.53 FIP, 9.46 K/9). Those pitchers right now spread between Iowa and Myrtle Beach, but all project to move quickly (if they can stay healthy) and I honestly think any of them could be an option for the Cubs by September if things go right.
Where will they all fit? Good question. If even two or three from that group stick in the majors in any capacity I think we should be pretty pleased. Even so, though, the Cubs’ rotation doesn’t have any holes in it for some time. At least, not yet (you plan, baseball laughs). Some could be traded, although I think that’s more an option next summer, and others will be ready to go should a hole appear. Problems of that nature have a way of working themselves out.
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Round Rock 11, Iowa 4
Iowa 6, Round Rock 4
The Cubs lost the game started by Adbert Alzolay and won the game started by Jen-Ho Tseng. I suspect most fans thought those results would be reversed, but that’s baseball for you.
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
Chattanooga 6, Tennessee 2
Smokies pitching only struck out one batter in this one.
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Pelicans had the day off.
Low A: South Bend Cubs
Lake County 3, South Bend 2
South Bend 11, Lake County 0
If you put the two games together, the Cubs won 13 to 3.
Other Notes
