Chicago Cubs: Which prospects can contribute in 2020?

Chicago Cubs: Brailyn Marquez, SP, No.4 overall

There is probably no more exciting of a prospect in the Cubs’ system currently than left-handed pitcher Brailyn Marquez. While it was Alzolay who got the call in 2019, Marquez continued his development at Class-A Advanced Myrtle Beach, displaying ‘ace-like’ prowess on the mound.

Marquez began his campaign at Class-A South Bend, making 17 starts. He posted a 5-4 record, finishing with a 3.61 ERA and a robust 30.7 percent strikeout rate. Towards the close of the season, the Cubs decided to promote him to Myrtle Beach, and Marquez turned on the jets.

Over his five starts, the 20-year-old left-hander made five starts. He went 4-1, posting an insanely good 1.71 ERA, lowering his FIP to 2.81. Leading up to the promotion, Marquez pitched arguably the best game in MiLB last year, racking up 14 strikeouts across six innings of one-hit baseball.

His career at Class-A Advanced started with ten shutout innings and finished with a quality start in which Marquez threw six innings, allowing a single run, one walk, and six strikeouts. At 20 years old, the lefty has every tool to become the Cubs’ next ace. Assuming he continues to dominate like he did this year, Marquez could be on the fast track to the big leagues in 2020.