Chicago Cubs: Three low-level prospects to keep an eye on

Chicago Cubs: Sean Barry, RP, South Bend Cubs

Our first guy for fans to watch heading into next season is 24-year-old reliever Sean Barry, a 21st round pick in the 2017 Amateur draft. Barry bounced around the college game, beginning his career at High Point University in the Big South Conference. As a 19-year-old, Barry threw 11 2/3 scoreless innings of relief with a 13.11 K/9 rate.

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The following year Barry joined the staff at Santa Barbara City College, where he finished 10-3 with a 1.29 ERA across 16 starts. He struck out 107 batters in 111 innings. Over the next two years, Barry struggled at the University of San Diego, posting a 4.88 ERA in his junior year and a 4.43 ERA in his senior season.

In his first season in professional baseball, Barry saw almost no action. He pitched just three innings and posted a 6.00 ERA. In 2018, after moving to Low-A Eugene, Barry dominated. In 24 games, the lanky right-hander posted a 1.77 ERA in 35 2/3 innings. While the walk rate was wildly high at 13.9 percent, the strikeout rate was a solid 29.2 percent. Barry also held opposing hitters to just a .187 average.

This past season Barry took a huge step forward in his development. At South Bend, Barry saw 45 1/3 innings of action, posting a 2.38 ERA with a much improved 2.70 FIP and 3.01 xFIP. The strikeout rate dropped to 27.2 percent; however, Barry’s walk rate also improved, lowering to 8.4 percent.

Per Baseball Cube, Barry’s strikeout talent rate ranks in the upper percentile. If he can continue to develop his repertoire, he can turn into the type of arm the Cubs desperately need moving toward the future.

Chicago Cubs: Zach Bryant, RP, Eugene Emeralds

The next man up is a guy who the team selected in the 15th round of this year’s draft. Zach Bryant is a 21-year-old reliever out of Jacksonville University. Before that, Bryant spent two seasons at Daytona Beach Community College.

In his first year at Daytona Beach, Bryant posted a 3.98 ERA in 24 games. He minimized his home runs; however, he registered a 5.40 BB/9 rate with a 1.58 WHIP. His second season was better in some regards. However, Bryant saw a jump in his ERA. Positively, the walk rate lowered while the strikeout rate stayed steady.

Bryant’s one season at Jacksonville was a ride. His ERA improved once again, and the strikeout rate jumped up to 12.77 K/9. Regarding Bryant’s WHIP, it improved for a third straight season. It was good enough to get a look from the Cubs in the late rounds, and so far it has been great for the young reliever.

Beginning his first professional season in the Rookie league, Bryant pitched eight innings and excelled. He posted a 1.13 ERA with a 3.02 FIP and 3.53 xFIP. The strikeout rate was excellent at 34.4 percent, and Bryant held opposing hitters to a .143 batting average.

Receiving a promotion to Eugene, Bryant continued to do well. His strikeout rate dropped, however, so did his walk rate. Bryant carried a 1.35 ERA with a stable 3.05 FIP and 3.59 xFIP. Part of Bryant’s strength has been his ground ball rate. In his short time for the Emeralds, Bryant registered a 56.8 percent rate.

To add to his performance, Bryant has yet to allow a home run. It will be a few years before the young reliever can make a difference for the big league club, but if he continues to dominate and find his footing, he can be an impact arm down the line.

Chicago Cubs: Chris Clarke, SP, Eugene Emeralds

The final of the three guys we are diving into is another selection from this year’s amateur draft. Chris Clarke is probably more well-known than either Bryant or Barry as a fourth-round pick, but he is still a potential gem for this organization.

Clarke is a product of the University of Southern California. While his first two years did not go too well, Clarke bounced back in a big way during the 2019 season, his last as a Trojan. Coming into his role as a reliever for the Trojans, Clarke posted a 1.03 ERA in 52 innings.

Of everyone who pitched in the system this year, Clarke was one of the best. He pitched in nine games, making eight starts. Across his 23 innings, Clarke finished with a stable 1.96 ERA, with a 3.17 FIP and 2.70 xFIP, respectively.

If that was not enough, Clarke carried a 28.3 percent strikeout rate and just a 4.4 percent walk rate. Opposing hitters batted just .230 against the big right-hander and could not muster much in the way of baserunners as Clarke’s WHIP was barely over 1.000.

Of the three, Clarke is probably the most exciting and has the highest likelihood of making it to the majors sooner than expected. He is just 20 years old and hopefully has a long career ahead of him. Fans should keep an eye on Clarke heading into 2020 and beyond.