Chicago Cubs: Six players we wouldn’t have seen in a normal 2020 season

Chicago Cubs: LHP Brailyn Marquez

Marquez is expected to rise quickly through the Cubs system.  A taste of the Show couldn’t hurt that progress.  The 21-year-old Dominican left-hander was the Cubs Player-of-the-Year in 2019 and will easily rank in the top 100 MLB prospects. His high-90’s fastball is electric, and if he can supplement that with a slider or change-up that is even close to that level, he’s on his way.

Don’t be surprised if Marquez makes the 30-man roster coming out of camp in late July.  The Cubs are pretty loaded with pitchers but this kid has MLB-ready stuff.  If he gets some innings in during whatever games are played between now and the start of the season, then it could be Marquez is sticking with the club out of camp.

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Chicago Cubs: RHP Cory Abbott

He’s been quietly amassing a very decent minor league career earning a 2.84 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over three minor league seasons.  He has held opposing teams to a .218 BA and has K’d 315 while walking just 94 in 275 2/3rds innings pitched.  Like Marquez, the 24-year-old Abbott is a starter, but he relies more on control than overwhelming heat.

Abbott is not on the 60-man pool roster as of now, but the Cubs have only invited 50 players, leaving room to add players as camp progresses.  If pitchers should go down due to Covid-19 or injury, Abbott could find one of those on the roster at the end of camp.