NEWSLETTER
My brain has been on the Cubs minor league sysstem a bit more than usual lately, primarily because of the trade deadline – Don’t trade prospects X, Y, or Z! – but also because, for the first time in a while, they’re giving us something to pay attention to!
One name, in particular, that has stood out among the rest is left-handed starter Brailyn Marquez. If you don’t know his name by now, get familiar with it, because he’s the highest ceiling pitching prospect the Cubs have had since Dylan Cease … and he’s also one-half of the Cubs co-Minor League Pitcher(s) of the Month!
You can read more about Marquez from the Cubs’ press release in the Tweet at the bottom of this post or check out more from Bryan right here, because for now … there’s not much more to be said that hasn’t already. In short, Marquez is a 6’4″ 185 pound lefty who routinely works at or above 100 MPH in High-A (yes, you read that correctly … a lefty working at 100 MPH+ … in the *Cubs* system).
Here’s how his July played out:
Final Month Stats: 27.1 IP, 38.3K%, 7.5BB%, .172 avg, 1.65 ERA (1.81 FIP)
In case you glance was too cursory, allow me to point out that his second-to-last outing in July featured just 1 hit, no walks, and 14 STRIKEOUTS and he followed that up with six NO-HIT INNINGS in his very next outing. Dude is good. Dude has also been promoted to High-A!
But he wasn’t the Cubs only Minor League pitcher of the month. Despite an incredible performance over 5 starts and as much prospect hype as anybody in the system, Marquez was joined by another South Bend southpaw, who was ALSO recently promoted from the SB Cubs to the MB Pelicans: Jack Patterson.
Here’s what Bryan had to say about Patterson, when word of his promotion came out: “Patterson leaves Myrtle Beach with a 0.00 — yes, zero point zero zero — ERA in 23.2 innings, with Carolina League hitters batting just .104 against him. Patterson was the Cubs June Pitcher of the month, and I can tell you right now that he’s going to win the July award as well. He has not given up an earned run in 34 innings dating back to to June 12.” I think that about sums it up, yes?
The Cubs pitchers of the month for June and July (Patterson and Patterson/Marquez) will likely have enough time to make about 5-6 more starts with the Pelicans this season. After that, the AFL (this fall) or Double-A (immediately out of the gate next year) isn’t out of the question. And once you’re there, Chicago is on the register.
Moving past the pitchers, the Cubs Minor League Player of the Month award for July goes to … infielder Pedro Martinez!
According to the report, the switch-hitting Martinez, 18, was signed by the Cubs as a minor league free agent shortstop back in May, 2018. This season, he split time between Rookie League Mesa and Single-A Eugene, with results (and a name) too good to ignore:
Rookie League (27 games): .352/.417/.519 (151 wRC+)
Single-A Eugene (9 games): .483/.571/.621 (239 wRC+)
In July, the 18-year-old racked up 26 singles, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homer, 13 walks, and just 19 strikeouts. He’s got a long, long way to go given his age and lack of experience, but that’s one heck of a start to his professional career. Just keep winning awards and recognition, and you’ll be fine.
The #Cubs today named INF Pedro Martinez as the club's minor league player of the month for July.
LHPs Jack Patterson and Brailyn Marquez were named our minor league co-pitchers of the month. pic.twitter.com/AtfepCI295
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 6, 2019
