Chicago Cubs: More prospect intrigue with Concepcion call-up

The Chicago Cubs called up left-handed pitcher Gerardo Concepcion from Triple-A Iowa after a dominant start in the minors to start the 2016 season…

The Chicago Cubs have been reaping the benefits of Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer’s hard work rebuilding the roster over the past few seasons, but fans haven’t gotten to see much on the pitching side.

Former top Cuban prospect Gerardo Concepcion was a nearly forgotten man who might be about to give fans reason to be excited about a player who isn’t in Chicago to hold a bat, but to help finish opposing teams off.

This was a relatively low-risk move for the Cubs, having also brought up C.J. Edwards and Spencer Patton for some relief help. The bullpen hasn’t been a liability for the Cubs yet this season, but if there’s been any gripe for this team so far it’s been the relief pitching, and Clayton Richard has been the least effective of them all.

In 12 1/3 innings, Ricahrd has given up 21 hits and 10 runs, striking out six and walking six. It’s no wonder the Cubs placed him on the DL with a ‘blister’, getting their best look possible at some candidates to help out in middle relief.

This is a big move not only for Concepcion in his development, but also for the Cubs to see if they’re going to need to make a move at the trade deadline in July. Though the bullpen has been shaky, it is probable the Cubs won’t have to be desperate at the trade deadline to acquire help from a team like the Yankees.

If the Cubs can promote and find success from within, would that really surprise anyone? It’s been a formula that has worked well thus far.

With all the excitement the last two plus years surrounding young players like Jorge Soler, Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr., and Willson Contreras, it’s easy for a player like Concepcion to sort of progress unnoticed.

So far this season, Concepcion has been dominant at the Double-A  and Triple-A  levels for the Cubs. In 35 innings pitched, he struck out 34 batters and issued 14 walks with a 1.29 ERA. He had a 0.97 WHIP and allowed hitters just a .165 average against him.

So what’s the catch? Most people thought Concepcion was a lost cause after his horrid start in the Cubs’ organization as a starting pitcher.

Concepcion hasn’t given up a home run yet this season at either level. He’s probably going to start out as a lefty specialist but who knows how this might turn out for the Cubs? Perhaps a player they once had high hopes for has turned things around now to be an important asset in the bullpen of a World Series contender.

His debut on Tuesday night was brief but effective. He retired all four hitters he faced, including Brandon Moss on his first hitter with the game still in reach.

It might not be the type of call-up headline that Kris Bryant or Kyle Schwarber attract, but it might shore up one of the only ‘weak’ spots on this Cubs team.