Chicago Cubs Top Ten Prospects for 2017

8. Duane Underwood, RHP

Birthdate: 7/20/94 (22 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: rookie, low A, high A, AA
Stats in 2016: 73 IP, 4.32 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 10.61%, 18.79 K%

Underwood shot up draft boards before the 2012 draft due to his excellent fastball with great life that ran all the way to 98 MPH in his senior year of high school.

Physically well-developed out of high school, many thought he would move quickly with a big curve and that fastball at 6’2″ and 200 pounds, but he struggled with his consistency his first two seasons. Just when he started righting the ship in 2014, he faced an injury and missed significant portions of the 2015 and 2016 seasons with elbow inflammation.

Underwood has the make up of three above-average pitches when he can have consistency in his delivery

Underwood has the make up of three above-average pitches when he can have consistency in his delivery. He has a plus fastball that still sits 92-96 with a 98 peak along with late life. His curve has excellent depth and his change has quite a bit of movement in its own right.

If he can maintain his conditioning, which has been an issue in the past, and his mechanics, he flashes the possibility of three plus pitches and a front-line starter. However, as he’s now 22 and five years removed from his draft season, Underwood may be at a point of either showing as a starter this year or moving to the bullpen.

As a reliever focusing just on the fastball and curve, Underwood could be dominant, likely adding a tick or two to his sitting fastball and not having his mechanical issues affect him quite as much as they typically concern his ability to keep location through a game.

Next: #7