Chicago Cubs: Six pitchers cut from spring roster

Ryan Williams

Ryan Williams is another Cubs prospect that may have fallen out of favor with the Cubs. Originally drafted in the June 2014 amateur draft, Williams spent the 2016 season with the Iowa Cubs. He went 4-1 with a 3.28 ERA in nine starts and has advanced steadily through the system each year.

A shoulder injury limited his season last year, and this year, he was trying to prove that he was healthy and ready for the big leagues. Unfortunately, despite four shutout innings this spring, the Cubs cut him. The Cubs likely want him to get more experience at the Triple-A level before they deem him ready to be called up. As the spring went on, he was going to get fewer opportunities to pitch, so this move made sense.

I think Williams has the best shot of cracking the big leagues in 2017 out of the six players cut. Obviously, there needs to be an opening at the big league level, but if there isn’t, he could be a September call-up.  He is definitely one to watch this season.