Chicago Cubs: Looking at a very thin starting rotation

Cubs: The very bottom of the rotation could go a number of ways

Brailyn Marquez:

The Cubs’ top prospect will have a lot of eyes on him in 2021. The soon-to-be 22-year-old lefty from the Dominican Republic pitched in two-thirds of an inning in the season finale last year. In 2019 he worked to a 3.13 ERA and 11.1 K/9 in 22 starts between South Bend and Myrtle Beach. He has yet to pitch at the Triple-A level. Do not be surprised if he makes starts at some point in 2021.

Shelby Miller:

A few days ago the Cubs brought in veteran Shelby Miller in to a non-guaranteed contract. He will make $875,000 if he makes the major league team in 2021. From 2012 – 2015 between the Cardinals and Braves, Miller was very good, pitching to a 3.22 ERA, 3.82 FIP and 1.3 WHIP. He was an All-Star in 2015. Since being traded to the Diamondback in 2016, he has 6.89 ERA and 1.8 WHIP in just 48 games. Could be be a diamond in the rough? Unlikely but time will tell.

Tyson Miller:

Picked by the Cubs in the fourth round of the 2016 draft, Miller made one start last year and pitched in two games. Miller, 25, had an impressive run in Tennessee in 2019 when he pitched to a 2.56 ERA and 1.0 WHIP in 15 starts before struggling in Iowa.

This should tell you right here how dire the rotation situation is. Even if most of these guys pitch well, there is so little depth so an injury could really put things in a bind. Ideally the Cubs will bring in another arm or two that can start and has some sort of MLB resume.