Over at MiLB.com there’s a great prospecting read on the Chicago Cubs, as the site lays out its organizational all-stars for the 2021 season.
Brennen Davis is an obvious one, but the look is much deeper, with quotes from Farm Director Matt Dorey:
MLB’s No. 14 overall prospect Brennen Davis provides steady hand as the Cubs look to future.
Organization All-Stars: https://t.co/fQep1Uyjy8 pic.twitter.com/9AwR643Dce
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) November 3, 2021
Among the less-discussed Cubs prospects getting some love: outfielder Yohendrick Pinango, catcher Malcolm Quintero, first baseman Miguel Fabrizio, and reliever Brandon Hughes. It was easy for Hughes to get a little lost in the shuffle of the many, many breakout Cubs relief prospects this past year, but he’s gonna be on the radar next season:
After a year and a half as an outfielder in the Cubs system, the organization approached Hughes with the idea of becoming a full-time pitcher in 2019. Given the year he had in 2021, it certainly seems like that was the right move.
Hughes pitched to a 1.71 ERA with 60 strikeouts over 42 innings out of the bullpen this season.
“He was pretty dominant,” Dorey said. “Just a lot more velocity — sat 90 to 95. Another guy who has unique carry traits and deception. And then he has really good feel to shape a breaking ball and land it for strikes.”
The 2017 16th-rounder out of Michigan State recorded more than three outs in all but seven of his 26 total appearances. The southpaw converted his lone save opportunity while holding opposing batters to a .203 average.
Hughes, a 25-year-old lefty, figures to open the season at Triple-A Iowa, and, with health, is probably going to be among the up-down relievers next year.
There is a write-up for every prospect in the article, and tons of love for some of our favorites (Nelson Velazquez, Kevin Made, Pedro Ramirez, more).