Just to give an idea of how difficult it's been to pitch at Triple-A in 2019, consider that Iowa Cubs pitcher Matt Swarmer has a 5.66 ERA in 25 starts and 26 overall appearances. That 5.66 ERA ranks 13th best in the Pacific Coast League, which makes Colin Rea's 2019 season that much more incredible.
On Thursday, Rea was named 2019 PCL Pitcher of the Year, after posting a 3.74 ERA in 25 starts. The right-hander has the league's lowest ERA, while striking out 115 batters in 142 innings.
The last Iowa Cubs pitcher to win the league's pitcher of the year award was Carlos Pimentel in 2015, when he had a 2.92 ERA in 26 starts.
Rea will make his final start of the regular season Thursday night, when Iowa will try and clinch a playoff spot.
The Cubs signed Rea this past offseason after he was released last November by the Padres. He had Tommy John surgery a few years ago and missed all of 2017.
Now, the 29-year-old has resurrected his career and Rea has positioned himself as a depth starter for the Cubs in 2020.
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