Chicago Cubs: Ivan Medina is showing his talents off for South Bend
The Chicago Cubs have been dealing with many problems surrounding the bullpen. While there does not seem to be an utterly immediate fix, it does not hurt to look forward to the future of the club and the options which exist to one day turn the bullpen around.
International prospect signings for the Chicago Cubs are always exciting. For one, there is a plethora of unknown talent which teams capitalize on every season without having to break the bank. The second reason is due to the average age of free agents who choose to sign with major league clubs. That is currently the case for Class-A South Bend and relief pitcher Ivan Medina.
Medina is just 23 years old, however, has already been in the Cubs’ pipeline for five years, signing with the club way back in May of 2014 as an 18-year-old. He began his 2019 season at Short-Season Single-A Eugene but after a minute time there found himself promoted to Class-A South Bend. So far it is going great for the lanky right-hander as he is making himself known to fans.
Chicago Cubs: A turbulent first few seasons
Following his signing with the team, Medina was sent to the Rookie league where his debut did not go as he or the Cubs expected. Still just 18 years old, Medina saw action in nine games, pitching a total of 12 innings out of the bullpen. He finished with a 9.75 ERA, a less than stellar 4.82 FIP, and 4.16 xFIP.
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As it was his first professional action, it became a good baseline for Chicago to figure out what they had with him.
The next season, Medina started two games for the Rookie League Arizona Cubs, going three innings in his first start and lasting five innings in his second start. Medina did not allow a run, while carrying a 3.28 FIP and 3.40 xFIP, respectively. It was a much better stint for the teenager.
From 2016-2018, the team let him loose as Medina saw much more action over the three seasons. He did not start a game, however, appeared in 55 games.
Beginning in 2016 in each subsequent season, Medina lowered his ERA while managing his walk rate and limiting home runs to almost none. His best season for the Rookie league came in 2017 where he finished with a 2.05 ERA across 30 2/3 innings, posting just a 2.48 FIP and 2.27 xFIP.
Chicago Cubs: Impressing in 2019
The young right-hander certainly impresses in 2019. Between his time at Short-Season A Eugene and his recent promotion to Class-A South Bend, Medina has been showing off his repertoire.
At Eugene, Medina pitched in two games, recording a save and posting an impressive 46.2% strikeout rate. Sure, it was only three innings; however, his ability to get hitters to swing and miss at the rate is still a great sign. Now, Medina has an actual sample size at South Bend.
He has appeared in nine games spanning 18 2/3 innings for the Cubs. His strikeout rate is still at a pretty solid 21.7% while his walk rate continues to drop and sits at just 4.4%. Medina is currently sporting a 0.96 ERA and has allowed only one earned run in his last eight games.
Chicago Cubs: Carrying it to the future
It is such a positive sign to see Medina produce at such a stable level so far this season. Understanding his ability to continue to provide at this level is a little unknown at this point because we have not seen him pitch more than 31 innings in a season.
He possesses a smooth, easy windup but works quickly. Medina carries a fastball, changeup, and slider in his bag, however, none of which are above-average. He does do a pretty good job with his control, and command of his pitches. The hope for Medina is that he can continue to develop each one in their own right working through the system.
The Cubs have many reliable relievers in the pipeline currently. Medina will need to grind to reach the next levels, however as someone who continues to work and is producing he could be the clubs next diamond in the rough.