Cubs Draft: Top high school prospects team should consider in 2021 MLB Draft

Cubs Draft: Irving Carter, RHP, Calvary Christian

The willingness to lean into a starting pitcher at the high school level is not one team’s take lightly. The last time the Cubs selected a high school pitcher in the draft was 2005, in the third round. To say it is a thing that is almost non-existent. Notwithstanding, it has become clear the Cubs are moving in the direction of a rebuild leading us to Irving Carter at pick number 21.

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Carter is currently a part of a rotation, which is one of the best in the country. Calvary Christian is a dominant program, having captured two state championships in the past three years. At the helm of those wins is Carter, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound right-handed pitcher.

Committed to Miami, it may not be easy to sway a guy like Carter, especially towards the end of the first round. If there is a team, however, who could do it, it would be the Cubs. Carter has a potent three-pitch mix working primarily from his fastball, which sits currently in the low-90s but has been seen to touch 94-95 mph.

Add in a biting slider and an above-average changeup, along with that windup and delivery, and you nearly have a prototype of Trevor Bauer. I’m joking, mostly. Carter has been known to display a “bulldog-like demeanor” in his starts leading me back to the Bauer comparison. Again, mostly kidding.

Carter is the perfect size in terms of his development already to this point. He will continue to grow into his frame and hopefully use it to his advantage. As the scouting report at Baseball America discussed, his status and availability could turn into a reliever role, which is not terrible as the Cubs’ pen has been hammered with injuries in the bullpen. If things fall into place for the Cubs, it will be the job of Tommy Hottovy and the gurus at the pitch lab to help Carter succeed.

Cubs Minors: Jackson Jobe, SS/RHP, Heritage Hall

One of the more seemingly underrated prospects within Baseball America’s top 30 draft-eligible high school prospects of this upcoming draft is a two-way star, Jackson Jobe. Standing a solid 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, Jobe packs a punch and displays a smooth delivery. He currently has a verbal commitment to Ole Miss.

Jobe was on a unique trajectory as a two-way player. His primary position started at shortstop, but soon after, the stocky right-hander moved to the mound. Most likely, he will not see the number six spot on the diamond moving forward.

His two strongest pitchers are his fastball, which topped out at 96 mph, and his slider carries a nice breaking bite, and per his scouting report, at Perfect Game carries a spin-rate of 3,100 rpm. To put it into perspective, Los Angeles Dodgers starter Walker Buehler posted the second-best slider spin-rate in the majors in 2020 at 2948. If Jobe can make his slider the primarily dominant pitch, he will be in business.

As a very talented and athletic star for Heritage Hall, Jobe put up some gaudy improvements, adding more velocity to his fastball and continuing to master his curveball and changeup, which moves towards right-handers in the box, making it a potentially strong out pitch.

Jobe also drives the ball with authority. His exit velocity of 92 mph, according to Perfect Game, ranked above the 90th percentile in his class. The swing is effortless. Being able to sit back on the ball patiently appears to be a strength of his, and it could translate well if he continues to work on hitting too at the next levels.

Cubs Draft: Max Debiec, RHP, O’Dea

The final kid on this list fits the overall theme of pitching. Already standing 6-foot-7, 200 pounds, Max Debiec is an intriguing prospect. He has seen his draft stock improve in recent months with various strong performances at tournaments.

While scouts could see Debiec’s direction either as a starter or as a reliever go, either way, it seems most likely he will fit an organization as a reliever. The righty carries a smooth delivery and easy arm action through the zone to the plate and has a four-pitch mix of a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup.

Debiec’s fastball appears to be the best of his repertoire. It packs a serious punch, and as an 18-year-old, it is already an impressive pitch. It tops out at 97 mph with a range between 92-94 mph. Since last year he has added some speed to his fastball. His secondary pitches need some work; however, they will most likely develop with time and age.

Debiec gives off the vibes of a young Tyler Glasnow, which would be a great ceiling to reach for if he so chooses to forego his verbal commitment to the University of Washington. While Debiec does not align with some of the other top talents, he does provide maybe the best opening of the other two prospects listed.

The Cubs have a great facility as fans know and utilize their pitch lab to the greatest of their ability. A young talented addition such as Debiec would help deepen the pitching talent and allow another big arm to grow within the organization.