Chicago Cubs: Candidates for the Cubs’ 2018 starting rotation

Dylan Floro

The Cubs claimed righty Dylan Floro off waivers from the Rays in January 2017.

In 12 appearances for the Rays during the 2016 season, Floro posted a 4.20 ERA with 14 strikeouts and five walks in 15 innings pitched. After getting off to a slow start in Triple-A, Floro was called up to the majors. Floro pitched 4 1/3 innings of relief work in a 10-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies on May 9. Despite the outcome of the game, Floro was solid. He allowed six hits but just one earned run while striking out five batters.

That solid outing sparked the idea that Floro could possibly become a starter for the Cubs at some point in the future. Floro has had success as a starter in the past.

In 23 starts between Single-A and Single-A Advanced during the 2013 season, Floro posted a 1.77 ERA with 99 strikeouts and 21 walks in 137 1/3 innings pitched. While Floro made 50 combined starts in 2014 and 2015 between Double-A and Triple-A, he never enjoyed that same success.

The 26-year-old has made one start the last two seasons. Despite that, Floro has shown he can be successful pitching more than one inning per appearance at the major league level.