Donzo

Javy says hello.

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.

The continued apsences of Wiggins/Brown is compelling. Both have limits on their innings this season, so maybe they're just getting a pause before finishing out the season. Update: It's Kipp starting for the Smokies.

Best AAA start for Sanders.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Could be a Brown/Wiggins AAA/AA combo- nice... Brown pitched on Monday, so he should go today. They might want to let him settle into AAA a bit and let him start on Tuesday. I hope he goes today. Iowa's starting pitching has become interesting after desperately looking for starters earlier in the year. Next week Iowa could be strating Brown, Wicks, Sanders and Birdsell. Assad looks close to getting some starts and Wiggins could earn a promotion in July. Edit: It's Wicks in Iowa. That's OK. Brown gets some mental rest.

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?!?

Gallagher strong through 4: 4IP 2H 0BB 3K 0R

Did something happen to Chip Carey's voice? I didn't recognize it.

Horton graduated from the Cubs top 30. Cassie now #1 and I think they added Sanders to the list, he's at #20. I like the scouting report. He's huge; he throws harder than I thought. "Scouting: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Splitter: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40 While Sanders' 92-94 mph fastball can touch 97 and is missing more bats in his second pro season than it did in its first, it's still not especially lively."

Wiggins and Birdsell tonight- Nice

Wiggins at 60 (60.1) innings for the year, which is already a little more (59.2) than last year. What are we looking at, 90-100 innings this year?

+1

Yep, that's how I pretty much see it, too. If he can't catch (lots of concern that he can) he'd have be a ++ hitter to have value as full time DH. A lot of questions there. I just see more value with Cassie and Wiggins. I put Cassie #1 because of a much longer track record as a top prospect and success at AAA, but I think I really like Wiggins more. If there was a farm system draft and teams could protect one player, I'd protect Wiggins.

I'm much more a Cub fan than I am a MLB fan. I don't know who Roman Anthony is. If he's a short, overweight, slow catcher that can't catch and his organization wouldn't let him catch in the majors, then I wouldn't love his debut either. Ballesteros physical limitation have always been part of his profile. For me, his MLB debut only reinforced the concern for his athletic profile. That's not a nothing burger. If he can't catch, then you ask is there anyway he can do a Schwarber and transition to LF? To me that's very unlikely. He looks more like a full time DH so far. He's very young, so we'll see.

Lots of love for Ballesteros. I think I'm the only one not to rate him #1. I didn't love his MLB debut. I think the body and defensive issues (didn't catch and was passed over when a catcher was needed) were reinforced with his time in the majors.

Wicks & Birdsell return with good performances... Nice!

Owen Caissie #1 for now. Not seeing the growth I hoped for.Jaxon Wiggins The power pitching profile is very exciting. His improving walk rate is encouraging.Moises BallesterosKevin AlcantaraJefferson RojasJames TriantosCristian HernandezJonathon LongBrandon BirdsellCole MathisRyan Gallagher Real nice to see him immerage as a prospect.Ronny CruzPedro RamirezNazier MuleFernando CruzJack NeelyWill SandersDrew GrayEli LovichJuan Tomas

Depends on his pitch count and FB, I'm guessing. If he got up to 60 pitches and was hitting 92+mph, he was 89/90 in first rehab game, then he'd look to be ready.

That's a nasty fastball/curveball combo. That's true #1 starter stuff.

I think he needs to stack some more success at AA, where he only has six starts. I'm thinking if he has around four more quality starts then get him to Iowa for the 2nd half of the season. We'll see.

Imanaga; 4IP 3H 0BB 4K 0R Looking like a start for Iowa around the 19th then back withe Cubs in St Louis around the 25th.