The Next Wave Of Cubs Prospects To Hit MLB Are Starting Pitchers

Since the end of the 2014 season and especially in 2015, fans have seen the Chicago Cubs bring up their highly-touted prospects to the big leagues and for the most part be extremely successful. Almost all, aside from Carl Edwards Jr., have been position players. That's about to change. Despite not having the star power in the minor leagues as they did during the last four years, the Cubs do have another wave of prospects that are close to making it to MLB for good. Cubs fans have already seen 23-year-old, right-handed starting pitcher Jen-Ho Tseng at the big league level and it sounds like we'll be seeing a lot more of him soon. He was named the Cubs 2017 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, after compiling a 13-4 record and 2.54 ERA in 24 starts between Double-A and Triple-A. He made his MLB debut in September, pitching against the New York Mets and Theo Epstein envisions Tseng being in the mix for the Cubs starting rotation in 2018. We're obviously a long ways from spring training and free agency hasn't arrived yet, so we don't know what will be done to the two vacant starting rotation spots, however, Tseng will get a chance to turn some heads and maybe get a shot at a starting job at some point next season. After the Cubs were eliminated from the postseason by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Theo Epstein talked to the Chicago media for an hour and one topic of conversation was about Tseng and his future role with the organization.

Tseng, I think has a chance to be a really interesting depth starting pitcher for us where I don't anticipate him starting the year as one of our top five, but certainly could be one of our top eight and move his way into a role where he's pitching in a big league rotation for us. (Theo Epstein)

So Tseng could play a factor into the Cubs plan as early as 2018, but here's the name you really want to keep your eye on. Adbert Alzolay. No, that's not Albert Almora Jr.'s alias, Adbert Alzolay is poised to be the next big star in the Cubs starting rotation down the road. Who thinks that's possible? Theo Epstein.

Adbert Alzolay, I think is a really interesting high ceiling starting pitcher, who if he reaches his potential will someday be one of the five and closer to the 1 than the 5. He's pitching in the Fall League right now and he's an exciting young kid with high character and electric stuff who's got a great starter kit and will pitch at the upper levels of the farm system next year. He finished the year at Double-A. He's gonna probably start there, but see some time in Triple-A. Before it's all said and done who knows you know, but I think factoring him into the sort of broad picture of our major-league depth makes sense for us. (Theo Epstein)

Alzolay, 22, made 22 starts in 2017 between Single-A and Double-A, ending the season with a 2.99 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 108 strikeouts in 114.1 innings. Here's a brief scouting report on Alzolay from MLB.com.

Alzolay has gotten stronger and is doing a better job of using his lower half in his delivery, which has resulted in improved velocity. He's now operating with a 92-95 mph fastball as a starter, topping out at 97. He also gets some running action on his heater, which makes it difficult for hitters to barrel. Alzolay's hard curveball has depth and shows signs of becoming at least a solid second offering. He's making strides with his changeup, though it still requires further refinement. He has thrown strikes throughout his pro career and could develop into a No. 3 starter.

Learn the name now. Adbert Alzolay. The Cubs see great things from him and based off their track record with prospects, this has to get you at least a little excited at what could be in the starting rotation in a year or two.