Minor League Musings

[CaliforniaRaisin]

4 hours ago, Donzo said:

Wondering who the other five pichers are for Huss?

1- Mule

2- Neely

3- Gray

4- Scheffler?

5- ????

Can't be McCullough, hurt two years in a row. Brooks Caple, Sam Armstrong, someone on the ACL roster?!?

 

 

Naz, Brody, Erian, Connor Noland, JP Wheat? Maybe Armstrong or Schlaffer instead of McCullough.

[CubinNY]

Law has a write up of a couple of 18 year old Brewer prospects. Whatever they are doing in international free agency is really working. 

[craig]

8 hours ago, CaliforniaRaisin said:

Naz, Brody, Erian, Connor Noland, JP Wheat? Maybe Armstrong or Schlaffer instead of McCullough.

Mule and Erian for sure.  

Drew Gray, maybe?  

Riley Martin, Luke Little, Neal perhaps possibilities from the reliever side?  

[Outshined_One]

21 hours ago, CaliforniaRaisin said:

 

On the one hand, it's really good to see these guys succeeding at their levels and showing positive numbers that aren't just based on luck/level.

On the other hand, there are definitely enough warts with each to temper expectations.

[Donzo]

3 hours ago, craig said:

Mule and Erian for sure.  

Drew Gray, maybe?  

Riley Martin, Luke Little, Neal perhaps possibilities from the reliever side?  

Little has graduated as a prospect. Now he's one of those guys trying to develop a role as a reliever with the Cubs. Palencia appears to have broken out as one of those guys. Well see if Little, Neely, and Pearson can do it as well.

Martin has become interesing, too. He could definitely be one of Huss's guys.

Edited June 29, 2025 by Donzo

[Donzo]

Looking at the names we're talking about I made a list of 15 of the Cubs top starting pitching prospects; AI has made this really easy. I put in the names then searched, "what are their size, date of birth and when were they drafted". This is what popped out:

 

Jaxon Wiggins: 6’6 225 lbs, 10/03/2001, 2023 2nd round pick.

Brandon Birdsell: 6’2 240 lbs, 03/30/2002, 2022 5th round pick.

Will Sanders: 6’6 230 lbs, 03/30/2002, 2023 4th round pick.

Ryan Gallager: 6’3 195 lbs, 01/19/2003, 2024 6th round pick.

Erian Rodrigues: 6’3 190 lbs, 11/23/2001, 2021 13th round pick.

Nazier Mule: 6’1 210 lbs, 10/15/2004, 2022 4th round pick

Drew Gray: 6’3 190lbs, 05/09/2003, 2021 3rd round pick.

Grant Kipp: 6’6 220 lbs, 11/11/1999, 2022 undrafted free agent.

Nick Dean: 6’3 180 lbs, 12/26/200, 2023 19th round pick.

Tyler Schlaffer: 6’1 180 lbs, 05/24/2001, 2019 9th round pick.

JP Wheat: 6’5 185 lbs, 08/03/2002,  2022 16th round pick.

Connor Noland: 6’2 215 lbs, 07/20/1999, 2022 9th round pick

Brody McCullough-IR: 6’4 205 lbs, 06/30/2000, 2022 10th round pick.

Sam Armstrong: 6’2 245 lbs, 09/26/2000, 2023 12th round pick.

Brooks Caple: 6’6 230 lbs, 08/23/2002,  2024 9th round pick.

 

Wiggins is clearly the #1 guy and the only one that would be a top MLB prospect at this time, We'll see how the rest develop. Next, for a basic scouting report, I'll search their "fastball speed" to see what we get.

Edited June 29, 2025 by Donzo

[Jason Ross]

37 minutes ago, Outshined_One said:

On the one hand, it's really good to see these guys succeeding at their levels and showing positive numbers that aren't just based on luck/level.

On the other hand, there are definitely enough warts with each to temper expectations.

I am filled with a lot of hope. Most arms in the system have made *some* jump, either velocity wise, stuff wise in general, or command. Considering it's a little different for each arm and not a uniform change, coupled with it being year-1 under Zombro, I suspect a few of these names will grow in the other areas as well.

I won't attempt to predict exactly which ones they are, but it's hard to not find a lot of encouragement. Especially if the Cubs go P heavy in the 2025 draft. 

[Donzo]

Here's the AI fastball reports for the fifteen pitchers I posted above. Much better speeds than I expected, especially for Kipp and JP Wheat; I also learned JP stands for JonPaul:

 

Jaxon Wiggins sits consistently in the 94–97 mph range with his fastball, and has been clocked touching 99–100 mph in both his college career and early professional outings.

Brandon Birdsell’s fastball typically sits in the mid‑90s, with a range of 94–96 mph, and has been known to touch upper-90s, even 98 mph in 2024. Scouts have noted… His fastball “sits at 94–96 mph and tops out at 98” in Triple‑A, with strong movement and command.

Will Sanders, the Cubs’ tall right-hander, typically features a fastball sitting between 92–94 mph, with his average hovering around 93 mph. Scouts note he has touched as high as 96–98 mph at peak moments.

Ryan Gallagher, His four-seamer generally ranged from 88–90 mph, with bursts up to 92–93 mph, and was noted for its late rising action. Since joining the Cubs he has added about 2 mph to his fastball at the beginning of his pro career, working at 90-93 mph and topping out at 95. As he matures there's more projectable growth with his four-seamer.

Erian Rodríguez, the Chicago Cubs’ right-handed pitching prospect, features a well-toned fastball that sits in the mid‑90s and occasionally reaches the upper‑90s.  2024 update Single‑A to High‑A: his fastball sat regularly in the 94–96 mph range, with occasional 99 mph readings featuring strong horizontal movement.

 

Nazier Mule’s Average velocity: typically 94–96 mph, with touches up to 98 mph, featuring some arm-side run. Pro debut (2024 Low‑A Myrtle Beach): His fastball has consistently sat 94–97 mph, with the combination of heater and slider noted as the system’s “nastiest”.

Drew Gray’s fastball sits comfortably in the 92–95 mph range, featuring quality carry and a deceptive extension in his delivery. Scouts have noted he’ll commonly hit 92–93 mph, with occasional touches up to 96 mph. His fastball hasn't been as fast with the Cubs as he makes adjustments in the minors.

Grant Kipp’s fastball velocity has steadily climbed — here’s the latest breakdown: During the 2024 Arizona Fall League, scouts reported his four-seamer sat in the low–90s mph, using it primarily to set up his slider in the low–80 In the early 2025 season, reports out of Knoxville indicate his fastball typically sits around 95 mph and can touch up to 97 mph on occasions.

Nick Dean, a right-handed pitcher in the Cubs system, doesn't rely on overpowering velocity—but his fastball sits comfortably in the low‑90s mph, typically 90–92 mph, and has been known to touch 93 mph toward the end of outings.

Tyler Schlaffer’s fastball topped out in the mid-90s mph (94–95 mph) during his senior season at Homewood‑Flossmoor High School. 2025 Rookie-Level (Complex Leagues): Reports indicate his fastball can touch 97 mph, showing that his velocity ceiling remains intact.

 

JP Wheat’s pre-draft (High School/Showcases): Scout reports from spring 2021 noted his fastball sat 94–96 mph, with occasional 97 mph readings.Post-draft projections: Early firearm shows hit 94–96 mph, with some readings up to 97 mph. He reportedly hit 100 mph in 2025 camp, displaying outstanding arm strength and power early in the year.

Connor Noland’s average fastball pace (90–91 mph) underscores his role as a crafty, control-heavy starter or multi-inning reliever, rather than an overpowering arm. His fastball serves to set up off-speed pitches, keeping hitters off balance, in a style reminiscent of Kyle Hendricks.

Brody McCullough’s four-seam fastball consistently sits in the 91–95 mph range, occasionally touching 95–96 mph. Though not blazing fast, it plays faster than the radar shows thanks to a flat plane, strong carry, and deception.

Sam Armstrong’s fastball in College (Old Dominion) was in the 93–94 mph range, consistently generating that velo throughout his NCAA career .2025 (Double-A Knoxville): While specific velocity readings are limited this year, his pitching mechanics and arm strength suggest he’s maintained the low‑90s averaging 93–94 mph on his four-seam. Velocity is similar to his college and early pro work.

Brooks Caple in college (Lamar University) consistently sat 94 mph, with the ability to touch 95 mph — his fastball featured a strong “ride,” often playing above its raw speed thanks to his 6'6" frame and extension. Pre-draft evaluations listed his fastball typically at 90–95 mph, with occasional peaks up to 97 mph, although that top-end is sporadic.

Edited June 29, 2025 by Donzo

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/fantasy-baseball-prospects-roboscout/

[craig]

On 6/29/2025 at 11:00 AM, Donzo said:

...Brody McCullough-IR: 6’4 205 lbs, 06/30/2000, 2022 10th round pick.

....

Donzo, not to bag on Brody.  But he missed the last half of 2023.  He missed 2024.  He's missing 2025.  Now he's finally gone for surgery, so he'll presumably miss  2026.  

It could become a really fun comeback story in 2027, if he comes back i and re-emerges as a prospect.  But I'm guessing that missing most of four seasons, and coming back post-surgery, is a pretty long shot.  

[CaliforniaRaisin]

41 minutes ago, craig said:

Donzo, not to bag on Brody.  But he missed the last half of 2023.  He missed 2024.  He's missing 2025.  Now he's finally gone for surgery, so he'll presumably miss  2026.  

It could become a really fun comeback story in 2027, if he comes back i and re-emerges as a prospect.  But I'm guessing that missing most of four seasons, and coming back post-surgery, is a pretty long shot.  

Point of clarification: McCullough tore his knee in what would have been his second to last start in 2023 (on Sept 1, 2023). He didn't miss half the season.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

BA Hot Sheet for last week: 

[Bertz]

10 minutes ago, CaliforniaRaisin said:

BA Hot Sheet for last week: 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

ACL Cubs activated Derniche Valdez from the IL.

Myrtle Beach put Yahil Menendez on the IL.

Tennessee put Brett Bateman on the IL.

 

[Donzo]

On 6/30/2025 at 3:30 PM, craig said:

Donzo, not to bag on Brody.  But he missed the last half of 2023.  He missed 2024.  He's missing 2025.  Now he's finally gone for surgery, so he'll presumably miss  2026.  

It could become a really fun comeback story in 2027, if he comes back i and re-emerges as a prospect.  But I'm guessing that missing most of four seasons, and coming back post-surgery, is a pretty long shot.  

Hey Craig. I agree on McCullough. He busted his knee last year and now had either TJS or flexor repair this year. He's got a tough road ahead of him. I put him on the list because he's still on the Cubs top 30 (for now) and it was getting thin to comme up with 15 starting pitching prospects.

Maybe there's someone in the DSL or ACL that can take his place, but It seems starting pitching prospects are thin in both places.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

1 hour ago, Donzo said:

Hey Craig. I agree on McCullough. He busted his knee last year and now had either TJS or flexor repair this year. He's got a tough road ahead of him. I put him on the list because he's still on the Cubs top 30 (for now) and it was getting thin to comme up with 15 starting pitching prospects.

Maybe there's someone in the DSL or ACL that can take his place, but It seems starting pitching prospects are thin in both places.

It was confirmed that Brody had Tommy John.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[Jason Ross]

1 minute ago, CaliforniaRaisin said:

 

2019 me would be excited by this picture. 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[CubinNY]

Is everyone from the DR named Alcantara or just everybody from the DR on the Cubs?

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Is Wiggins OK? He hasn't pitched since Jun 20.

[Donzo]

8 hours ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

Is Wiggins OK? He hasn't pitched since Jun 20.

 Yes, he's OK. He's already pitched as many innings as he did last year, so it looks like the Cubs are giving him a break.

In the 7-3 Box scores, @CaliforniaRaisin said this about Wiggins absence- "I’ve heard it’s workload management."

It appears the same thing is happening with Brown who's already well past the 55 innings he pitched last year. It will also  eventually happen with Horton who only pitched 34 innings  last year and had a career high of 88 innings in 2023.

[We Got The Whole 9]

15 hours ago, Donzo said:

 Yes, he's OK. He's already pitched as many innings as he did last year, so it looks like the Cubs are giving him a break.

 

In the 7-3 Box scores, @CaliforniaRaisin said this about Wiggins absence- "I’ve heard it’s workload management."

It appears the same thing is happening with Brown who's already well past the 55 innings he pitched last year. It will also  eventually happen with Horton who only pitched 34 innings  last year and had a career high of 88 innings in 2023.

However ride Boyd til he breaks 

[Donzo]

8 hours ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

However ride Boyd til he breaks 

No, but it's different. Wiggins/Horton/Brown are young guys getting stretched out to new career highs. There's a process to that.

Boyd is a 34 year old veteran who has pitched 180 innings, but is in his first full season since TJS in 2023.  I believe he's 24+ months post surgery, this factors into into his recovery. So, for this situation I think the load managment is more designed on case by case basis rather than a specific formula for young guys increasing their innings year to year.

I believe he pitched in and around 60 innings in total (minors & MLB) last year; he's already well past 60 innings this year. All in all, he's looking at some down time as well. I just don't know what that'll look like.