2061.18: Bears' Cubs - Relief Pitching Prospects

[BaseClogger]

8/8/2061


In the final edition of the 2061 Bears’ Cubs series I’ll focus on players who project as only relief pitchers. Historically, this has been a short list because it's a position I don't pay much attention to. The bullpen is where you end up if you fail as a starting pitcher. But I'm slowly changing my tune and looking to target a few true reliever prospects in trades and the draft. That reflects in a better list below. I applied a similar ratings cutoff to the one used for my starting pitcher list.

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+ Jose Diaz
C Duane Bishop
C Orlando Gonzalez
C Kelly Sims
C- Shi-yu Chiu

D
D+ Dale McCutcheon

Honorable Mention
Ignacio Ryder
Allen Henson
Harland Werth


Jose Diaz is a 21 year old lefty with an elite fastball/slider combo. The slider still needs to develop and he only has 1 stamina but his strong intangibles should help him reach his potential. He came over in an offseason trade from Phoenix. Duane Bishop continues to be a steady producer despite middling overall ratings. He's got a solid three pitch arsenal and 4 stamina so he could spot start as needed. We'll remain patient as the 22 year-old hasn't totally figured out AAA. Lefty Orlando Gonzalez was a (gasp!) 3rd round pick in this year's draft. He's sadly on the sidelines with a torn UCL but when healthy Gonzalez has a plus-plus fastball/curveball combo. Kelly Sims recently bumped out of nowhere to now possess really good looking 6-6-7 potential ratings. At 22 he's a late bloomer and Sims is struggling in AA. Chiu is another late bloomer coming into his own at 23 years old thanks to his strong intangibles. You wouldn't guess he has 10 potential stuff and three pitches with 9 or more potential when looking at his pedestrian class A stats.

McCuetheon is the other holdover (along with Bishop) on this list. He's developed his control a bit but his three pitches all still need more work and he's 25. But he's a lefty and pitching effectively in AA so he'll get plenty of more rope.

[Lane]

Get Dia into the dev complex he'll be pretty damn good if he figures out how to throw the slider

[Trebro]

players like Chiu are so frustrating.

[RonCo]

I enjoy seeing different assessment views. I'd call Sims and Diaz B- guys on your scale. Bishop maybe C+.

[BaseClogger]

I enjoy seeing different assessment views. I'd call Sims and Diaz B- guys on your scale. Bishop maybe C+.

I reckon I move relievers down a gradation rather than saying a guy is a “B- reliever” compared to a true B- prospect.

[RonCo]

hey...relievers are people too!

[BaseClogger]

[DugoutDesperado]

Have you thought about Myung-Joo Pak in the pen?

[BaseClogger]

Have you thought about Myung-Joo Pak in the pen?

I’ve thought about reliever converting him. Hate that he’s sidearm and hasn’t maxed out an obvious second pitch. Hes never been very effective.

[DugoutDesperado]

I have the same reservation with Gui-Cheng Yu being a sidearmer as well. I think your guy is a little better than mine though.

[BaseClogger]

I have the same reservation with Gui-Cheng Yu being a sidearmer as well. I think your guy is a little better than mine though.

His 7 knucklecurve is the much better offspeed pitch tho