Chicago Cubs host 39 pitchers in early weeks of camp

As the Chicago Cubs look to repeat their World Series success, finding depth will be a focus. With all the pitchers at camp, quality depth is possible.

“No sir, you never have enough pitching. Just when you think you have it, it is usually the time when you suddenly find yourself with pitchers who can never start a game.”

The words spoken by Hall of Fame manager Bill McKechnie in January 1940 ring true even today. Thankfully, for the Chicago Cubs, depth was not an issue in its pitching staff. It was performance quality, not injuries, that forced pitching moves last year. Outside of Hector Rondon, John Lackey and Pedro Strop, the staff was healthy.

First of all, there is no reason to think 2017 will be any different (knock on wood). Regardless, general manager Jed Hoyer and president of baseball operations Theo Epstein acquired pitching all winter long. When camp opened on February 14, 39 pitchers reported. That should keep pitching coach Chris Bosio and all the catchers busy.

Many of the slots on the team are inked in pen; however, there are several questions that must be answered. How many starting pitchers will be in the rotation? Who fills the final spots? Will the team carry extra pitching due to the versatility of the rest of the team? Here are the candidates.

The starting five

Honestly, we know four of the five starting rotation members already.

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Jon Lester will likely start Opening Day, after an 18-win season, followed by Jake Arrieta. The performance of Kyle Hendricks in 2016 may move him ahead of Arrieta, but, regardless, it’s a formidable trio. Consequently, John Lackey will round out the top four and will hope the defense aids him as much as it did a season ago. Should he lock in and command the edge of the plate, it will be another great year for him.

That leaves the fifth spot in the rotation. Although some believe Chicago Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon will use six starters at times, the team appears likely start with five. It seems like Mike Montgomery is the leading candidate due to his performance in the rotation and during playoffs boosting his chances. The team then signed Brett Anderson to a one-year contract.

An veteran of eight years, Anderson holds a 3.86 ERA in 127 games, with 115 starts. However, 2016 was a wash as he spent most of the time on the disabled list or in the minors rehabbing. He also finished the 2015 season injured. To get the starting nod, Anderson will need to prove that the back, wrist and blister concerns are a thing of the past.

The firemen and the stopper

Looking at the options on paper, the Chicago Cubs bullpen looks better this year than last. The acquisitions of Wade Davis and Koji Uehara provide depth and stability in the late innings. Both bring a great deal of experience in relief work with them to Chicago, which could prove useful come October.

Left-handed reliever Brian Duensing hopes to stay healthy after elbow inflammation cost him half of the 2016 season. In theory, he could slot into a lefty middle relief role for Chicago, addressing a need that arose when Travis Wood departed via free agency.

That being said, Caleb Smith is also in the mix for a bullpen spot at the big league level. The young lefty was selected in the Rule 5 Draft this offseason. While he has never pitched above Class A, he possesses a live arm with upside. The problem is the Cubs have no real place to put him. If he does not leave with the team after camp, he could be headed back to the San Francisco Giants.

These players will join several returning players: Justin Grimm, Pedro Strop, Hector Rondon, Carl Edwards Jr and Montgomery (if he does not get the fifth starter spot). With this collection of players, the bullpen looks reliable and solid going into the season.

The only problem at this point is how many pitchers will Maddon carry. Right now, thirteen seems to be the right number. That only gives him 12 offensive options. We can take a pretty solid stab at which position players will crack the roster, so who gets dropped?

The next wave

Should something happen to one of these pitchers, the Chicago Cubs have several options. Rob Zastryzny is slated to be a starter at Triple-A Iowa. With the rotation possibly losing two players after 2017, the team will need long-term options. Zastryzny performed well for the team in left-handed relief last year and has the stuff to start.

Chicago Cubs

Two veterans that will hopefully provide depth are Jim Henderson and Fernando Rodriguez. Henderson’s first two seasons with Milwaukee were fantastic, including 28 saves in 2013. Rodriguez returned to Oakland in 2015 after spending 2014 in Triple-A, and went on to made 90 appearance combined in the last two years with an ERA under 4.00.

Other possible players in the next wave are Felix Pena, Jake Buchanan, David Rollins and Eddie Butler. Of these players, Rollins is worth noting.

This offseason alone, in what appeared as a game of hot-potato, Rollins was the subject of five waiver claims. He bounced from Seattle to the Cubs, to the Texas, then Philadelphia, back to Texas and then back to the Cubs.

He showed potential in the minors, but the left-hander struggled in two seasons with Seattle. Also, IButler has a chance to be a starter in the future. After are a few rough years in Colorado, a fresh start may be just what he needs.

Prospects

Six of the Chicago Cubs’ top 30 prospects are in camp. We already mentioned Pena and Zastryzny. Here are the others:

Pierce Johnson, Jose Rosario, Duane Underwoodand Ryan Williams.

Most noteworthy, Johnson is a potential starter, and will begin the year in Triple-A. His fastball is lively, and this curveball rates above average. He will need to work in his cutter and improve his control to see MLB time.

The right-hander Rosario’s fastball rates 75/80. While it averages 96 MPH, he has hit 99 on several occasions in the past.

In an earlier article, we mentioned Underwood has potential to be a top-of-the-line starter. He possesses three solid pitches in his repertoire. He just needs to control the zone and stay healthy.

Williams already controls the ball with great accuracy, which is what he needs. The secondary pitches in his arsenal are below average. If he can put a curveball or changeup together soon, he will be a menace to batters.

Long shots

As there is each Spring Training, several players working with the Chicago Cubs are long-shots to make the Major League team. With the experience several bring to camp, the pantry is full.

However, there may be a few surprises once camp breaks.

Jack Leathersich pitched in 17 games for the 2015 New York Mets, and performed well. However, elbow issues led to Tommy John surgery. Even so, the Cubs claimed him off waivers. A career reliever with eight years in the minors, Leathersich boasts a 3.38 ERA in 234 innings. In 26 games with the Cubs minor league affiliates in 2016, he finished with a 1.93 ERA.

Williams Perez was dropped by the Atlanta Braves, then signed by the Cubs to a minor league contract. He will join the Iowa Cubs’ starting rotation when camp breaks. Seth Frankoff with join Perez there as a result of the team’s already-strong early season depth. Frankoff will be 29 later this year and has a solid minor league stat line. He’s pitched in 242 games, started 49 and has a record of 25-25 with a 3.67 ERA. He walked 188 batters and struck out 512 in 520 2/3 innings.

Finally, there is Gerardo Concepcion, who saw time with the Cubs in 2016. Those three games provided him a World Series ring. However, Concepcion has struggled in five minor league seasons.

Once a heralded arm in the system, in his 219 2/3 innings under his belt, his career ERA is a robust 5.45. After the season was over, the Cubs did not tender him a contract, which released him from team control. The Cubs then invited him back to camp this spring.

Non-Roster Invitees

Of the 24 non-roster players the Cubs invited to camp, 14 were pitchers. A few were mentioned previously, but here is the full list:

Andury Acevedo, Maikel Cleto, Concepcion, Daniel Corcino, James Farris, Frankoff, Henderson, Casey Kelly, Jhondaniel Medina, Conor Mullee, Manny Parra, Rodriquez and Zac Rosscup.

Here is what you need to know about these players:

Rosscup came the Chicago Cubs in a trade with Tampa Bay, in which they sent Chris Archer packing. Like Concepcion, Rosscup is returning to the club after not being tendered a contract. He pitched in 61 big league games with mixed results. A shoulder injury kept him from playing in 2016 and, hence, he faces long-shot odds.

Another non-tendered player returning is Conor Mullee. Claimed from the New York Yankees in 2016, Mullee has the potential to be a setup man in the future. In 103 Minor League games, he pitched 162 1/3 innings, converted 14 of 19 saves, held batters to a .206 average and finished with a 2.00 ERA. The talent is there, but injuries are a cause for concern.

Parra is a former Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds pitcher that moved from starting to the bullpen. Kelly was packaged with Anthony Rizzo in the Adrian Gonzalez trade to Boston from San Diego.  However, both Kelly and Parra are coming off Tommy John surgery.

Plenty of options

As you can tell, there are plenty of options for the Chicago Cubs in terms of pitching depth.

Between proven commodities and those trying to prove they can perform, the team finds itself with a plethora of players. To be sure, while some may not stay with the team, their performance in camp may help spur them on to another organization.

Furthermore, injuries do happen and having these backup plans in place could make or break a team’s postseason chances.

As a fan, it is great to see such a high number of pitchers in camp. Even with several big names set to hit the market next winter, the depth the organization features offers long-term promise.