Don’t get too excited, Cubs fans. Brooks Raley is not the minor league starting pitcher you long for. He is not a well-kept secret. He is no Dylan Bundy.

The 24-year-old lefty is Travis Wood, at best. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 MLB draft, Raley stands 6’3″ and weighs a slim 185 pounds. In 22 starts split between AA and AAA, he owns a solid 3.58 ERA, with 6.8 K/9, 1.332 WHIP and 2.45 K/BB. In his last start he allowed 6 ER in 6 IP to AAA Colorado Springs.

Raley has consistently progressed though the Chicago farm system since entering as a 21-year-old. Raley, who spent time away from the bump in the outfield while playing at Texas A&M University, tops out around 88-90 with his fastball. He throws two breaking pitches, 77-79 slurve and a 74-75 curve. He also throws a 78-80 changeup.

Raley may be a backend major league starter, which would be fine if the Cubs didn’t possess their only pitching depth in that specific, if not underwhelming, category.

Jeff Samardzija flashes signs of becoming a potential #2 or #3, and Garza occasionally shows signs of being a successful #2. But even before the departure of Ryan Dempster, the Cubs lack a legitimate premier starting pitcher.

The lack of quality starting pitching is the Cubs biggest rebuilding concern, and while the acquisition of Dayan Vizcaido helps, the reality is that Theo & Comp. will need to buy one, if not two, big time starting pitchers on the free agent market if the Cubs are going to be competitive in 2-3 years. The bats and gloves in the system seem to be on the right track. Uncertainty surrounds future arms.

Theo admitted that the Cubs lack minor league pitching depth. He said a serious team needs to always have three to four waves of pitching depth at any time. The Cubs, he said, currently possess zero.

Brooks Raley may throw a gem tonight in the cavernous pitchers heaven that is Petco Park, but do not get carried away with hopes of grandeur. Raley is only a stopgap. For now, a more practical endeavor may be to dream of a future free-agent pitcher to be.

The Big Guy