Chicago Cubs: These relievers haven’t inspired confidence this spring

Chicago Cubs: This right-hander has been hit hard this spring

As you all are well aware, Theo Epstein spent the offseason collecting a bunch of high-upside, low-risk arms in hopes of assembling a passable bullpen in 2020. One of those who falls squarely within that group? Jharel Cotton, a right-hander who made 24 starts a year ago as a member of the Oakland Athletics.

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Now, Cotton never had even the slightest chance of locking down a spot in the Cubs rotation. That being said, the former Top-100 prospect could still fill an important role in the bullpen.

Ahead of the 2017 campaign, Baseball America ranked Cotton as the #84 prospect in the game. Despite that recognition, though, he’s never really put it all together and enjoyed any real sustained success – especially at the big league level.

Epstein clearly sees something in the 28-year-old. Maybe the Cubs’ Pitch Lab can help the right-hander get back on track this season. That hasn’t been the case in the early returns, though. Cotton has a pair of Cactus League wins under his belt, but anyone who knows the game understands that’s pretty much the worst way of evaluating a pitcher.

He’s allowed seven hits and four runs in 5 1/3 innings of work as a Cub. He’s striking out north of 11 batters per nine – but also walking more than five men per nine, as well. That’s exactly the type of feast-or-famine arm Ross undoubtedly would like to avoid adding to his pen, especially given the group’s make-up.

There’s still a couple weeks for guys to finish ramping up and making adjustments. For Wick and Kimbrel, it’s almost a foregone conclusion: these guys have to be leaders this season, anchoring the relief corps. Adding someone like an effective Cotton to the mix could help push this group over the top, though.

Chicago Cubs: This right-hander has been hit hard this spring

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