So You Wanna Talk Cubs?

The talk of the Chicago Cubs in recent days have been on the consistent blemishes out of their fourth and fifth starters. Casey Coleman and James Russell have been filling in for Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner while the two continue to rehab their arm injuries. If Wells and Cashner would have been healthy, may be the Cubs would be a few games over the .500 mark instead of 4 games under. Continue on for an update on Wells and Cashner, as well as Doug Davis, and a look at the Cubs’ draft target.

• Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner Begin Throwing Off Mound

The Cubs have decided to be extra cautious with both pitchers considering they still are considered young pitchers. Especially in the case of Andrew Cashner. The pair of rehabbing starters began throwing from a mound yesterday and are about another 2 or 3 weeks away. Doesn’t it always seem like the two always remain two or three weeks away? Regardless, it would appear that they will go on a minor league rehab assignment within the next week.

• Doug Davis on the Comeback Trail

Speaking of minor league rehab assignments, veteran starter Doug Davis will begin his rehab assignment on Thursday. Davis will start a game with the Peoria Chiefs on Thursday and if all goes well, he would then move on Triple A-Iowa. From there Davis will make one start, and if ready, would be called up to the major league team.

The Chicago Cubs do not anticipate to have Randy Wells nor Andrew Cashner back before the third week of May, meaning that the fifth starter’s spot will come up for at least one more time. If all goes according to plan, the next time the Cubs will need a fifth starter will be during their weekend series against the San Francisco Giants May 13th through May 15th. That would be a reasonable time to expect Doug Davis to be called up to the major league club.

• Another Star(ling) in the System

The Major League Baseball draft is scheduled to start on June 6. The Chicago Cubs hold the ninth overall selection in the 2011 prospects. There figures to be a plethora of high-potential prospects available to them when they are on the clock. But the Cubs appear to already have the prospect in mind that they want. The Cubs are believed to have targeted Gardner-Edgerton High School (Kansas) outfielder Bubba Starling.

Obviously nothing is ever guaranteed when it comes to drafting high school players, especially in the case of Starling. Starling has already received a scholarship to play Quarterback for Nebraska in college and is also being looked at as college basketball prospect. But, baseball appears to be what Starling thrives at the most. Thus, suggesting that Starling would sign with a baseball team if he was drafted in the MLB draft.

Starling projects as an elite outfielder that could potentially possess the coveted five-tool skill set.

(Video Courtesy of BaseballAmericaVideo on Youtube)