Chicago Cubs: Expectations for Jose Quintana in 2018

Fangraphs projection

Fangraphs paints a better picture for Quintana in 2018. According to their projections, Quintana will win 15 games, a career high, and log a 3.45 ERA. In addition to that, the projections state that Quintana will throw between 196 and 199 innings and average 9.18 strikeouts per game.

Along with that, the projections show Quintana’s ground-ball rate will continue to climb in 2018, reaching 46.2% according to the Steamer.

An average of the two would work just fine

Perhaps, by averaging the two projections we could get a better look into Quintana’s production in 2018. If the two projections were averaged, they would suggest that Quintana would be a 12-13 win pitcher next season with a 3.66 ERA and average right at nine strikeouts per game.

I don’t know about you, but for a pitcher that is slated to be the number three man in the rotation, those are pretty good numbers.

Next: Chicago Cubs: Epstein confident in what team accomplished at GM meetings

After digging through Quintana’s numbers, it has become clear that as long as the left-hander is healthy, he is a solid major league starting pitcher. Is he good enough to give up two top prospects for? That remains to be seen. However, the Cubs have two years of team control on Quintana with a possible third. That means Quintana has at least two full seasons to earn his keep on the North Side. My guess is that he will do just fine.