The rich get richer, as they saying goes, but it’s certainly true. The Chicago Cubs grew from (arguably) the worst team in baseball to the best through a systematic tanking process. It began with successfully dealing any player of value for prospects, then losing enough to draft near the top, and drafting the right guys.
This paid off with a slew of guys that have become pillars of the franchise for years to come. Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, and Kyle Schwarber are those pillars, but they weren’t the only studs. Albert Almora, Willson Contreras and Kyle Hendricks are all pieces expected to play pivotal roles for the next several years.
That much talent, all being called up over the course of two seasons would leave most team’s minor leagues bare. This isn’t the case with the Cubs, the next wave is beginging to pound on the Wrigley Field’s clubhouse door.
With a thunderous entrance, Ian Happ made his presence felt, blasting 5 homers while batting .417 in 24 spring training games. Atl this coming from the consensus number two prospect in the Cubs system. He hasn’t quit either, hitting a MiLB best, 6 home runs.
Dylan Cease
As impressive as Happ has been, I’m more excited about the Cubs number 3 prospect – Dylan Cease.
It is widely assumed that the Cubs do not have pitching in the minors, especially starters. Dylan is the exception to that rule, and his production so far is showing he is a legitimate prospect.
Dylan Cease so far this year in 3 starts: 15 IP, 6 hits, 1R, 8 BBs, 22 Ks (0.60 ERA)
— Cubs Den (@CubsDen) April 20, 2017
Not only is Dylan only allowing 3 hits a game, he leads the entire organization in strikeouts. His increase command of his secondary and tertiary pitches is equating to his early success. But with Dylan, it is all about that fastball. His fastball helped him and teammate Matt Swarmer combine for a one-hitter in Wednesday night’s game. Hint, Dylan didn’t give up the hit.
Assuming that was hi last inning since he is over 90 pitcvhes for first time in career, but Cease just pitched 6 no-hit innings with 7 Ks.
— Cubs Den (@CubsDen) April 20, 2017
Cease runs his heater up into triple digits on occasion, which will continue to thwart hitters at all levels. While he is at his best in the 96-98 MPH range, that 100+ MPH fastball is a tool that will loom in hitters heads. Pitching in South Bend, Cease could find himself climbing the organizational ladder over the course of the next two seasons.
Of course the Cubs will need to continue to play things safe with Cease, who had Tommy John surgery in 2014. The 2017 season will act as a true test to see just how much Dylan can push the limits with that arm.
Entering into the 2017 season, Cease has the potential to be a top 40 pitcher in baseball. What does that mean? With a ceiling as a future number two, Dylan’s performance is certainly watched closely by Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer. He will not sniff the bigs until 2019, but he does represent an option as the current staff leaves or regressed.
Bottom line, Cease represents to future of the Cubs rotation. With Jake Arrieta and John Lackey leaning towards free agency (or possibly retirement), Jon Lester continuing to age, Dylan is perhaps the only farmhand that could push for a rotation spot in the next three seasons. With the Cubs forced to look to trade or free agency to backfill pitching, Cease will be a welcome addition if he makes it to Chicago.
Oh and by the way. I added John Arguello’s tweets as he is the absolute best at covering Cubs Minor Leaguers. Follow him on Twitter, or check him out on his website, Cubs Den.
