6. Oscar De La Cruz, RHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 3/4/1995 (23)
2017 teams/levels played for: Arizona Rookie League Cubs, high-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans
2017 Stats: 13 G, 12 GS, 56 2/3 IP, 3.34 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 5.5% BB, 20.2% K
Info: Most teams had seen De La Cruz as an infielder before he switched to the mound not long before the 2012 signing period, which meant most teams were unsure of what he was, allowing the Chicago Cubs to sign him for $85,000.
De La Cruz progressed slowly in the Dominican Summer League and had a big first year stateside in 2015, when he was placed at short-season A-ball in Eugene, and he responded with an impressive 73/17 K/BB rate over 73 innings and a 2.84 ERA.
Injuries have held De La Cruz back ever since, seemingly never having the same issue twice. When he’s on the mound, his fastball is one of the more impressive in the system, sitting 92-95 with extension that plays up his velocity along with tremendous plane and late life on the pitch and the ability to touch 97.
His secondary pitches are as good as the fastball when on, but they’re not “on” all that often together. His curve shows best, flashing plus, but he can completely lose the feel for its break at times. His change is an average pitch, but can play up when he can get on top of the pitch to get similar late movement to his fastball.
With the injuries and already hitting 23 without ever exceeding 75 innings in a season, it is hard to envision a future in the rotation for De La Cruz, but he could be a #2 there if he could finally get healthy and get the feel on his pitches. He could also be an elite reliever if the Chicago Cubs would choose to go that route with him, especially in the role of a multi-inning reliever to go 2-3 times per week with his raw stuff, but that would require a significant improvement in his durability in 2018.
5. Adbert Alzolay, RHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 3/1/1995 (23)
2017 teams/levels played for: high-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans, AA Tennessee Smokies
2017 Stats: 22 GS, 114 1/3 IP, 2.99 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 7.3% BB, 23.3% K
Info: After moving slowly through the Chicago Cubs since signing in 2012 out of the Dominican, Alzolay had a big season statistically in 2017, and that has him jumping up a lot of lists, even making a top 100 list this winter.
Alzolay had a big season statistically in 2017, and that has him jumping up a lot of lists
A small righty, listed at 6′ and 180 pounds, but likely more like 5’10” and 170ish, Alzolay uses every bit of his frame in generating his velocity, up to 96 in 2017. To his credit, the uptick in velocity in 2017 came due to work with Cubs coaches on his delivery and their throwing program.
Alzolay often seemed to catch hitters off guard due to working fast on the mound, essentially getting in motion once he got the ball back from the catcher and had his backstop set. He has a trio of fringe-average pitches that he works with his fastball that played up due to this pace. Probably the best of his secondary pitches is his curve, which has a chance to get swing and miss and weak contact both.
Without a second even above-average pitch, Alzolay’s future as a starter is fairly limited, but quick pacing and excellent location that he found easier with his new delivery could allow him to be a #4/5 in a rotation. He’ll likely open 2018 in AAA.
Next: #3 and #4