Cease Headlines Cub's Pitching Push

The Cubs proved last year that you can build a World Series champion with a complete lack of homegrown pitchers.

- J.J. Cooper

While Chicago’s World Series lineup included homegrown stars Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Kyle Schwarber, its pitching staff was assembled from other teams. Free agents, trade acquisitions and even a Rule 5 draft pick filled out the majors’ best pitching staff as measured by ERA. But pitchers signed and developed by the Cubs were almost completely absent.

Scanning the upper levels of Chicago’s farm system shows that this trend won’t change dramatically in 2017 or 2018. But there is hope lower down in the system.

What once was a system stacked with hitters now stands out most for its young pitchers. At Class A or lower, the Cubs this year will have right handers Dylan Cease, Oscar de la Cruz, Jose Albertos, Thomas Hatch, Erling Moreno and Bailey Clark plus left handers Jose Paulino, Justin Steele and Bryan Hudson.

“It’s been in the making,” Cubs farm director Jaron Madison said. “The intention has been to add to our pitching depth through the draft and through all trades. Now those guys are starting to bloom.”

The Cubs drafted pitchers with 13 of their first 14 draft picks in last year’s draft, when they didn’t have a first- or second-round pick. Two of the top three international bonuses signed were also pitchers.