Road to Wrigley: June Pitchers Update

Update on the top pitching prospects in the Cubs system

May 2017 is now in the books and that means it is finally time for the first ever edition of the Monthly Update as a part of the Road to Wrigley series! The basis of the Monthly Update is to provide content for both the avid Minor League Baseball follower as well as those of you out there that are just now starting to get into Chicago Cubs prospects and would like to know more.

In the Monthly Update you will find up-to-date statistics on the best prospects in the Cubs system which will include the top ten pitchers and hitters according to MLB.com. While that will cover the basics of what will be included, each month will contain a little extra for you to enjoy. This month that is going to be the leaders in the entire system in a handful of stats.

Because reading through information on 20 different prospects can be a little overwhelming, I have decided to break this Monthly Update up into two parts. Today the pitchers of the system will be covered and tomorrow you will get the chance to enjoy updated information on the hitters throughout the minor leagues.

I’ve kept you reading long enough and now it is time for the stats for the best pitching prospects in the system according to MLB.com.

Dylan Cease — RHP — South Bend (A)

#3 overall prospect according to MLB.com

In 34 innings pitched, Cease has an ERA/FIP/WHIP slash line of 2.65/2.75/1.26. Opponents are hitting .207 off of him with a BABIP sitting at .296. He is striking hitters out at a 38.6% rate and allowing a walk 12.9% of the time. Cease is currently on the DL.

Oscar de la Cruz — RHP — Myrtle Beach (A+)

#5 overall prospect according to MLB.com

In 47.1 innings pitched, de la Cruz has an ERA/FIP/WHIP slash line of 3.42/4.35/1.25. Opponents are hitting .261 off of him with a BABIP sitting at .314. He is striking hitters out at a 20.8% rate and allowing a walk 5.5% of the time. De la Cruz was scratched from his start on Wednesday.

Trevor Clifton — RHP — Tennessee (AA)

#7 overall prospect according to MLB.com

In 49.2 innings pitched, Clifton has an ERA/FIP/WHIP slash line of 2.36/3.46/1.19. Opponents are hitting .214 off of him with a BABIP sitting at .266. He is striking hitters out at a 19.8% rate and allowing a walk 9.7% of the time.

Jose Albertos — RHP — Arizona (Extended Spring Training)

#8 overall prospect according to MLB.com

Albertos is polishing up his skills in extended spring training in Arizona for the time being. Reports are that he has look very good with his high 90s fastball and sharp curve. Albertos and his exceptional command and makeup might get a shot in Eugene once their season starts up later this month.

Thomas Hatch — RHP — Myrtle Beach (A+)

#11 overall prospect according to MLB.com

In 43.1 innings pitched, Hatch has an ERA/FIP/WHIP slash line of 5.19/3.05/1.59. Opponents are hitting .257 off of him with a BABIP sitting at .367. He is striking hitters out at a 25.9% rate and allowing a walk 12.7% of the time.

Jose Paulino — LHP — South Bend (A)

#14 overall prospect according to MLB.com

In 38.1 innings pitched, Paulino has an ERA/FIP/WHIP slash line of 4.46/4.21/1.46. Opponents are hitting .250 off of him with a BABIP sitting at .299. He is striking hitters out at a 15.7% rate and allowing a walk 12.1% of the time.

Duane Underwood Jr — RHP — Tennessee (AA)

#15 overall prospect according to MLB.com

In 47 innings pitched, Underwood has an ERA/FIP/WHIP slash line of 4.21/4.27/1.32. Opponents are hitting .246 off of him with a BABIP sitting at .288. He is striking hitters out at a 19.3% rate and allowing a walk 9.6% of the time.

Jose Rosario — RHP — Iowa (AAA)

#19 overall prospect according to MLB.com

Rosario has only seen four innings on the mound so far this season. After missing all of 2015 due to injury, the hope is that he does not have to spend much more time on the DL this season. Rosario made significant strides last year and was placed on the 40-man roster this past offseason so he could be protected from the Rule 5 Draft.

Felix Pena — RHP — Iowa (AAA)

#20 overall prospect according to MLB.com

In 13.1 innings pitched in Iowa, Pena has an ERA/FIP/WHIP slash line of 5.40/5.73/1.80. Opponents are hitting .291 off of him with a BABIP sitting at .350. He is striking hitters out at a 20.3% rate and allowing a walk 12.5% of the time. Pena has obviously seen time in Chicago as well, pitching only 8 innings in 4 games out of the bullpen.

Alec Mills — RHP — Iowa (AAA)

#21 overall prospect according to MLB.com

In 14 innings pitched, Mills has an ERA/FIP/WHIP slash line of 3.21/3.34/1.07. Opponents are hitting .222 off of him with a BABIP sitting at .255. He is striking hitters out at a 12.3% rate and allowing a walk 5.3% of the time. Mills is currently on the DL.

The current statistical leaders in the system are based off of players with at least 26 innings pitched and half of all appearances have been starts.

ERA

Eddie Butler (Iowa) — 1.17

Trevor Clifton (Tennessee) — 2.36

Justin Steele (Myrtle Beach) — 2.55

Duncan Robinson (South Bend) — 1.35

WHIP

Seth Frankoff (Iowa) — 0.93

Jen-Ho Tseng (Tennessee) — 1.04

Adbert Alozolay (Myrtle Beach) — 0.98

Duncan Robinson (South Bend) — 0.86

Strikeouts

Seth Frankoff (Iowa) — 52

Jen-Ho Tseng (Tennessee) — 47

Thomas Hatch (Myrtle Beach) — 51

Dylan Cease (South Bend) — 54

Be sure to check out Road to Wrigley’s Monthly Update tomorrow to get your taste of the best hitters in the Cubs’ system.

All stats are as of May 31 courtesy of Fangraphs.

Greg Huss is currently a student at Ball State University in Indiana. Born and raised in Central Illinois, he spends far too much of his free time following the entire Cubs organization. You can follow him on Twitter here.