Chicago Cubs Prospects of the Week: Kevin Alcantara, Cade Horton shine

Cubs Triple-A Pitcher of the Week: RHP Cam Sanders

2 G, 4.2 IP, 1.93 ERA, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 K

Cam Sanders is a really interesting pitcher. He seems like a Katy Perry fan because he is hot and then he’s cold and there usually isn’t a ton of in-between. This week he limited the walks and hits but his K numbers continued to be there and that’s the difference between a pitcher that is usable in the majors and one destined to serve as minor league depth.

Sanders is similar to Young in the fact that he’s not what you think of when you think of 'prospects' due to his age. That being said, good teams are able to withstand difficulties with injuries and ineffectiveness from expected contributors by promoting from within. Even the 2016 Cubs World Series Team didn’t have the depth at the upper levels to do that, and arguably that’s what led to a potential dynasty becoming a moderate hot-streak because the Cubs had to trade some of their younger, lower-level prospects for major league contributors rather than promote from within. 

Sanders is the exact kind of arm you want to have in your upper levels because if there’s an injury to one of the Cubs’ middle relievers he’s a guy you can plug in and not lose a ton. He’s not dissimilar in terms of chances of success from Julian Merryweather or Michael Rucker, for example.