Chicago Cubs: Looking at a very thin starting rotation

Another guy who could very well be forced into a role he is not meant to be in.

One has to admire what college walk-on Alec Mills has done in his brief MLB career. After being a pleasant surprise as a spot-starter/reliever in in 2018 and 2019, he made the rotation full-time in 2020 as a low-end rotation piece. He pitched to a 4.48 ERA and 1.2 WHIP in 11 games, including his historic no-hitter at Miller Park.

Mills is a decent option as a fifth starter. He have some very solid performances but not at the consistency of a typical 1-3 starter and will not often go more than five or six innings. However with who is going to be on the team and the uncertainties, he might have to be pushed into mid-rotation.

Despite pitching for the Cubs for several years, he only has 119 2/3 career MLB innings on his resume at age 29. His only full season as a starter was in a 60-game abbreviated season. This is not to say he could be a full-time rotation piece in a 162 game season, but we have yet to see it. Feels pretty safe to bet he will be pitching for a spot in the rotation in spring.