Chicago Cubs: Checking in with the top prospects

Oscar De La Cruz, RHP, No.3 overall

As the former Cubs top overall prospect, De La Cruz has been working his way through the system, making his way to Double-A this season. De La Cruz has been in the Cubs system since signing as an international free agent back in 2012.

Like Alzolay, the Cubs hope, and expect De La Cruz to turn into a front of the rotation starting pitcher who will contribute for the next decade. Thus far, De La Cruz has been relatively up and down. This season at Double-A, De La Cruz is 4-5 with a 5.83 ERA.

Positively, De La Cruz’ strikeout percentage has increased, going from 20.3% last season at High A to 22.5% in 2018. Unfortunately, his walk percent has also seen a substantial increase, nearly doubling from 5.6% to 10%. It has also led to an increased WHIP.

De La Cruz is still young at just 23 years old and has not hit his stride. Over his last five starts for Tennessee, De La Cruz is 3-2 with a very respectable 3.67 ERA. He has also struck out 29 batters in a span of 27 innings.

While it will still be awhile until he makes his jump to the Show, De La Cruz is developing nicely into a guy who can hopefully become a staple in the Cubs rotation moving into the future. His ETA is 2019.