1 of 10

The Chicago Cubs gave Dylan Cease an above-slot $1.5 million bonus as a sixth-round pick in the 2014 draft, knowing full well he'd need Tommy John surgery before beginning his pro career.

It looks like that risk will pay major dividends, as he's back to full health and showing some of the best pure stuff of any pitching prospect in the game.

MLB.com wrote:

"Cease topped out at 97 mph with his fastball as an amateur, and he came back from elbow reconstruction to sit at 94-98 and reach triple digits last summer. His heater features sink and run as well, making it difficult to barrel. His curveball is less consistent but equally devastating when at its best, a true power hammer that has been compared to Dwight Gooden's."

The 21-year-old is pitching at the Single-A level, where he's been nothing short of dominant, posting a 2.75 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with an impressive 58-to-18 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 36 innings.

After seeing Gleyber Torres traded to the New York Yankees at the deadline last year, Cubs fans would have a tough time accepting a move that meant flipping Eloy Jimenez or Ian Happ for a controllable starter.

That might become a necessary evil, though, and the one prospect who deserves the untouchable tag given the makeup of the organization is Cease.