Cubs Minors: Keep these South Bend names on your radar

Cubs: Can the team start developing a pipeline of young pitching?

There are too many arms on the roster to go too in-depth, so we will touch on a few of the more intriguing options on the depth chart and dive into the talent level of those guys who could have a bright future ahead.

Of all of the guys listed, one of the underrated talents is left-hander Jack Patterson. The lefty is not a top prospect but has produced a sturdy consistency between 2018 and 2019. In his first year, Patterson notched a 2.83 ERA between Rookie ball and former Low-A Short Season.

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In 2019, Patterson began at Low-A and rose to Triple-A Iowa. Between the jump, to include a stop at Double-A Tennessee, Patterson posted a 1.69 ERA. At High-A Myrtle Beach, Patterson finished a 23 2/3 inning run without allowing a single tally.

As a 32nd round selection, Patterson has found a groove through his mid-90s fastball and biting curve, which drives his groundball rate up and will play well with Wrigley. He likely ends up as a reliever, with a chance of landing at the back end of the rotation.

Right-hander Ben Hecht is another name to keep an eye on, especially as a future closer. The 25-year-old played a year at Illinois State before transferring to Wichita State. Hecht was not effective in college but found his footing after landing with the Cubs in 2017. Three years in, Hecht has compiled a 3.37 ERA in 133 1/3 career innings.

He has served as a closer in each of the past two seasons, with six saves at South Bend in 2018 and five collective saves in 2019 bouncing between Tennessee and Myrtle Beach.

The Pelicans were his best stop as the right-hander notched a 2.57 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 35 innings. Hecht has benefitted from a transformative development, and if his 2019 season is a glimpse into who he can become, there is a chance we see him in a couple of years in the closing role.

Cubs: Looking at position players beyond Miguel Amaya, Brennen Davis

Unless you follow the organization’s depth, there is a high likelihood you probably have not given much credence to some of the bats in the system who aren’t named Miguel Amaya or Brennen Davis. Luckily, we have a few names discussed in more detail at various points and guys you should come to know.

One of those is first baseman Tyler Durna, who has put up some substantial numbers. A 15th round selection in 2018, Durna’s best season in a more competitive environment came in 2019 at South Bend, formerly representing as the Class-A affiliate for the Cubs. In 76 games over 300 plate appearances, the lefty slashed .304/.387/.437, four home runs, and 42 RBI.

His 141 wRC+ is still a career-best to this point in his young career. Making the jump to Myrtle Beach in 2019, Durna managed to hold his own to the tune of an 86 wRC+ over 95 plate appearances. The power numbers dipped slightly as he struck out at a 15.7 percent clip, a hair up from his 12.7 percent rate from South Bend.

The 2021 season will be necessary for Durna to improve on what he has done up to this point. South Bend will be a test for his bat, but as long as he can keep his strikeout rate at a reasonable level as well as find his power stroke.

Cam Balego could find himself at the opposite corner of the infield in a couple of years. Balego was the 30th pick in the 30th round by Chicago in 2017. In his first two years between rookie ball and short-season Low-A, Balego posted identical 129 wRC+ seasons. He worked well to become a patient hitter, as seen through his low strikeout rate.

His year at Class-A was a minor hiccup, as Balego’s numbers dropped off considerably. He rebounded, however, back to a 125 wRC+ and a .368 OBP at Class-A Advanced Myrtle Beach. He also found renewed power with 12 home runs. Balego is also 25-years-old so his time may be running thin. This year will be essential.