Chicago Cubs: Revisiting the 2020 MLB Draft and the club’s direction

Chicago Cubs: SP CJ Van Eyk, Florida State

When you look at a guy who seems to have all the right measures for a pitcher, you think of CJ Van Eyk. A product of Florida State for the previous two seasons, Van Eyk displays and carries himself like that of a future major league starter.

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Van Eyk was a freshman in 2018. In his inaugural season, Van Eyk saw action in 19 games with five starts. Across 56 2/3 innings between his two roles, the young right-hander finished a whopping 7-0 with an impressive 2.86 ERA. For Van Eyk, one of the most significant parts of his game during his freshman season, Van Eyk posted an 11.28 K/9 to go along with a 1.27 WHIP.

Last season as a sophomore, Van Eyk became a starter solely. In 94 2/3 innings, over 17 starts, Van Eyk went 10-3 with a 3.80 ERA. His WHIP stayed steady as a rock while his walk rate dropped, and his strikeouts rose.

Per Baseball Cube, Van Eyk was one of the most prominent strikeout pitchers in the ACC last season while also limiting the hits and baserunners.

Regarding his approach, Van Eyk is smooth. A calm and collected wind up with a steady delivery, the stocky right-hander barely looks like he trying at all but displays a tremendous amount of strength and power. He would fit the mold of starting pitching the Cubs will desperately need in the future and carry his college experience onto the next level.