2061.17: Bears' Cubs - Starting Pitching Prospects

[BaseClogger]

8/8/2061


In this edition of the 2061 Bears’ Cubs series I’ll focus on players who still profile as starting pitchers. It's a thin position group. What little talent we had was cashed in via trades and now we don't even have much depth to supplement what's left. I tried to limit the list to pitchers at least averaging 5-5-5 across their potential stuff-movement-control ratings. I have more than half a dozen guys right at that line and young enough that one of them will likely pop and show up on the next iteration of this list but we didn't need an honorable mention list 10+ names long.

Reminder on the scale:
A: star player just by developing to their potential
B: BBA regular just by developing to their potential or star potential but has some risk factors
C: potential is enough to make it to the BBA but beyond that uncertain
D: needs some bumps to have a BBA future or a lot of uncertainty around their potential

A
None

B
None

C
C Tadataka Taniguchi
C- Clay Stabb
C- Gilberto Salinas

D
D+ Jose Pedrasa
D+ Augusto Gonzalez

Honorable Mention
Zhuo-cheng Sa


Tadataka Taniguchi has perhaps my favorite ratings line in the game for a pitcher: 5-6-7. We acquired the 19 year-old lefty this past offseason in a minor trade with Phoenix that looks like it can now claim at least three legit prospects. The biggest marks against Taniguchi is a lacking repertoire that doesn't have an off-speed pitch with more than 4 potential and the fact he's an awful teammate. Stabb was at the top of this list last time and the 21 year-old lefty has only bumped since then. He's got three elite pitches but we're worried about him developing his movement and control. At least he has a 3.24 ERA in A ball. Salinas was a 4th rounder in the 2061 draft. The 21 year old has a polished six pitch mix and keeps the ball in the park. He's got a limited ceiling but could always be a reliever conversion.

Pedrasa was also a 2061 draft pick--in the 10th round! We're excited about the guy. Like Salinas, he's got pedestrian stuff but keeps the ball in the park and limits walks. His three pitch arsenal is likely what lead to him getting drafted so late. Like Salinas, the 21 year old pitcher is already in A ball. Augusto Gonzalez was a 3rd rounder in 2060 and is also an okay across the board pitcher. His arsenal is a step above the previous two pitchers, featuring a 7 potential changeup amongst the four pitches that all grade at least average. He's repeating A ball with a 2.96 FIP so he might be ready for AA soon.