Chicago Cubs: Minor League Players of the Week

Chicago Cubs Class A-Advanced: Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Cam Balego, 1B

While there are many young, fun guys currently at Myrtle Beach, our Class A-Advanced POTW goes to Cam Balego. Another product of the Cubs from the 30th round of the 2017 MLB Amateur player draft, Balego has been making waves so far this season.

Balego appeared in six games this past week and has been mashing. He is slashing .333/.409/.611 with a 1.020 OPS. Mix in the .447 wOBA and 175 wRC+, and we have ourselves an impressive hitter early on in the season. One stat which sticks out is his walk rate to strikeout rate. Balego currently sits on a 13.6% walk rate and has kept his strikeout rate down to an acceptable level of 18.2%.

Not a big power guy, Balego has managed to hit a home run already this season while smoking two doubles to go along with the long bomb. Still just 23 years old, Balego has already been impressive in the system and should continue to be so into the future.

Paul Richan, SP

The Class A-Advanced POTW honor goes to starting pitcher Paul Richan, who has had a phenomenal start to his season. Richan was a supplemental selection by Chicago in this past year’s amateur draft and so far has shown significant signs on the mound.

Richan has made three total starts this season, pitching to a 2-0, 1.32 ERA line. During this past week, Richan made two starts, going precisely five innings in each start while allowing one earned run per game, good enough for a 1.80 ERA. Richan walked five and struck out five, however for the 22-year-old in his first professional season, there have been some great signs, and hopefully, he can continue to produce at a high level moving forward.