Chicago Cubs: Is it too early to worry about the 2020 bullpen?

Chicago Cubs: Will Rosario be a long term part of the bullpen?

Randy Rosario was part of the Triple-A pitching depth that did such a great job contributing at the Major league level last year. He had pretty good results (3.66 ERA) despite peripheral statics that suggest he was getting a little bit lucky (4.68 FIP).

Rosario has spent very little time in the upper minors. He split 2016 between High and Double-A. In 2017 he spent time between the same two levels of the Twins’ system. The first time Rosario pitched in triple-A was last year in the Cubs organization when he wasn’t on the major league roster.

As a lefty Rosario will be one of the first guys the Cubs might call up when they need a fresh arm for a few days that Joe Maddon can use in favorable match-ups. If he gets good results again this year, perhaps Rosario will be a full-time member of the bullpen in 2020.

Justin Steele is a left-handed starting pitching prospect who needed Tommy John surgery in 2017. As he made his way back from injury in 2018 threw 46 2/3 innings across three different levels of the minor leagues to a 2.31 ERA. Steele’s season culminated with 10 innings at the Double-A level. He might contribute to big league team in 2019, but 2020 might be just about the right time for Steele to seize an opportunity.