Chicago Cubs: Minor leaguers who could play a role in the pen

With the Chicago Cubs unable to sign even a mid-tier reliever without moving money, some minor leaguers could get the call in 2019 to help out the bullpen.

The Chicago Cubs bullpen was very thin by the end of 2019 after both Brandon Morrow and Pedro Strop were out with injuries in the final month of the season.

Morrow likely won’t be ready for Opening Day in 2019, so the Cubs could be in need of a closer yet again. Strop proved he was up to the task of closing in 2018, but it’s clear they still need more help to shore up the bullpen. However, in recent days, reports surfaced indicating they’d need to move money to even sign a middle tier reliever such as former Cub Adam Warren.

If the Cubs really don’t sign another reliever this offseason, there will be room for new contributors to break into the mix from the minor leagues and provide help in the later innings. Here’s a look at some minor league relievers who could be up to the task.

Chicago Cubs: Back to Dillon Maples again?

Dillon Maples’ name has been discussed often over the past few seasons as a potential contributor to the big league bullpen. He has major league caliber stuff, but his command has been sort of all over the place whenever he’s been called up to the major leagues.

Maples was a 14th round pick by the Cubs in the 2011 draft and stayed in the low minors throughout the early years of his professional career. However, after making some changes in 2017, he ascended all the way from High-A Myrtle Beach to Chicago as a September call up.

He spent most of 2018 at Triple-A Iowa and had a great season, throwing 38 2/3 innings with a 2.79 ERA. But once he got called up to the big leagues at the end of August, he struggled, to the tune of an 11.81 ERA in 5 1/3 innings.

Maples will have to prove he can get it together at the major league level before he can be a consistent contributor. But his stuff shows promise, and if he can start to throw strikes more consistently, he has a lot of potential.

Chicago Cubs: An up-and-comer with potential

Right-hander Dakota Mekkes had a big season in 2018. He started the year at Double-A Tennessee, ended it at Triple-A Iowa and never really missed a beat along the way. He finished the season with an overall ERA of 1.17 in 53.2 innings pitched.

And the 10th round pick out of Michigan State really hasn’t faltered at all throughout his professional career. He has a 1.16 ERA for his entire minor league career and a sparkling 1.05 career WHIP.

Mekkes has rapidly ascended the ranks of the Cubs system despite not being listed on MLB Pipeline’s top 30 Cubs prospects list. His past performance in pro ball shows almost no reasons for concern. This could be the year he gets the call.

There’s a chance the Cubs would want to give Mekkes some more time to develop at Triple-A before bringing him to the next level. He only spent a few months with Iowa after getting promoted in early June. But Mekkes remains a name to watch this season and beyond.

Chicago Cubs: Help wanted on the left side

With Justin Wilson departing via free agency after the 2018 season, the Cubs are going to need some bullpen help on the left side in 2019. Two options come to mind in the minor leagues: Kyle Ryan and Conor Lillis-White.

The Cubs re-signed Ryan as a free agent in November after he spent 2018 with Triple-A Iowa. He had a good season in Iowa and was durable, throwing 66 innings with a 2.86 ERA. He has major league experience from his time with the Detroit Tigers. There’s a chance Ryan could start the 2019 season in the major leagues, especially if the Cubs don’t sign any more relievers before then.

Lillis-White is another option who the Cubs acquired from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Tommy La Stella. Lillis-White has shown improvements in recent years but hasn’t broken into the big leagues yet. Between Double-A and Triple-A last season, he had a 3.50 ERA in 72 innings pitched. He may be a bit raw to bring to the big leagues already, but if the Cubs are as desperate as they seem, he and Ryan may both get an opportunity in 2019.

While there are some viable minor leaguers who could contribute to the major league bullpen this season, some of them are extremely exciting. The only way to dramatically improve the Cubs bullpen would be to spend the money and sign a free agent. However, it’s looking increasingly unlikely that’ll happen, which could give some up-and-comers an opportunity in 2019.