Chicago Cubs Top Prospects: Midseason Top 30 Chicago Cubs Prospects (#20-11)

Number 15

Drew Gray LHP

Age: 20 Years Old

Level: A Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Joined the organization via: 3rd Round Pick in 2021 MLB Draft

2023 Stats: 15.1 IP 2.93 ERA 22/13 K/BB

After a lost 2022, Drew Gray had some rust to knock off in his first couple of starts this season. I’m definitely the highest on Gray in comparison to outlets like Fangraphs and MLB.com on Gray, but there’s a lot to like. For starters, even in high school before joining the instructional league, he was already utilizing two breaking balls with a curveball and a slider. MLB.com claims that he was developing a slider when he blew out his elbow which would have added a fourth pitch to the mix.

The nature of drafting prep pitchers is that there is just so much runway for them to fall apart and never end up being anything at any level much less the major league level. That’s a possibility with Gray, but because he already has a good fastball, two breaking pitches, a developing changeup, and a projectable frame I have a hard time not putting some hope into him.

He’s definitely going to need to get the walks under control, but the stuff is incredible. The Cubs proved in the draft this year that they truly believe in their pitching development when they drafted a couple of college arms with pretty significant warts, and if they think they can turn those guys into stars then Gray could get the same treatment and he’s younger and more skilled than any pitcher the Cubs drafted this year.