Chicago Cubs Minors: Checking in with talent down on the farm

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Oct 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon makes a pitching change against the Cleveland Indians in the 6th inning in game one of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Dylan Cease, RHP

Dylan Cease, just like De La Cruz, is a promising young arm in the Cubs farm system. Drafted out of high-school, Cease is just 21 years old and has made four starts for the Cubs’ Single-A affiliate.

In those starts, Cease has registered a 1.89 ERA with 27 strikeouts and 11 walks in 19 innings pitched. Just like Cruz, Cease has only given up one home run this season.

Cease’s 2.45 strikeout-to-walk ratio is on par with what he has posted in his previous two seasons in the Cubs organization.

The 6’2″ right-hander is averaging 12.8 strikeouts per nine innings, while also averaging 5.7 hits per nine and 5.2 walks per nine.

Cease has never pitched more than 44 2/3 innings in a season since being drafted in 2014. Since he has already tossed 19 innings this season, it is fair to say he will surpass that mark sometime in May.

Cease seems to be behind De La Cruz in the pipeline, but the Cubs need all the pitching help they can get.

Once Cease starts pitching over 100 innings in a season, expect him to start posting great numbers and get on the fast track to the big leagues.

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