Cubs Prospect Evan Aschenbeck Named Midwest League Pitcher of the Week

[CBT847]

Image courtesy of MiLB.com

Evan Aschenbeck has been named Midwest League Pitcher of the Week following his stellar start on Thursday at Fort Wayne. The lefty worked seven innings for the second-straight outing, holding the TinCaps scoreless, yielding just one hit and striking out five.

The start was also his fifth-straight quality start, a streak that dates back to May 14. During that span, Aschenbeck has gone 2-3 with a 2.23 ERA (8 ER/32 1/3 IP) to go along with 25 strikeouts and just four walks. The Texas A&M product has also held opponents to just a .584 OPS during that run, with just six of the 30 hits allowed going for extra bases (4 2B, 2 HR).

Aschenbeck was one of the most dominant relievers in college baseball last season, going 6-1 while posting the nation's best ERA (1.78, 15 ER/75 2/3 IP) and WHIP (0.89), totaling an SEC-best 10 saves. The Brenham, Texas, native also struck out a total of 87 batters, compared to just 12 walks, and held opponents to a .198 batting average. Thanks to his stellar 2024 campaign in College Station, Aschenbeck was an unanimous All-American, First Team All-SEC performer and was also selected as the NCBWA Stopper of the Year.

He was selected in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft but wouldn't make his professional debut until April 4, 2025, with the Cubs shutting him down following his lengthy 2024, which saw the Aggies finish runners-up at the NCAA College World Series. In his debut at Single-A Myrtle Beach, Aschenbeck struck out seven batters and allowed just one run, unearned, over four innings of work. Working as a starter for the first time since 2022 as a sophomore at Blinn College, he made quick work of Carolina League hitters, going 1-0 with a spotless 0.00 ERA (0 ER/14 1/3 IP) to go along with 16 punchouts and just four walks, holding opposing hitters to a .146 average.

Aschenbeck quickly earned himself a promotion to High-A South Bend on April 22. Like most players do, he struggled initially in his first couple of outings at the higher level, posting a 5.84 ERA (8 ER/12 1/3 IP) in three starts and didn't work longer than 4 1/3 innings in any of those outings.

He's been nothing but sharp since, allowing three earned runs over fewer in each of his last five starts, which includes four outings of two earned runs or fewer. A second promotion this season could be on the horizon if he continues to overpower Midwest League hitters.

View full article