Cubs minor league pitcher of the year Luis Devers snubbed in prospect list

MLB released their Chicago Cubs' top 30 prospects list on Tuesday morning, complete with a detailed breakdown of the best players coming up through the Cubs' farm system. The only odd thing is they excluded Luis Devers from this list, who is undoubtedly one of the Cubs' best prospects going into 2023.

The weirdest part of Devers' absence on this list is the fact MLB previously had Devers in their top 30. I don't know what changed between now and the end of last season, aside from a few international free-agent signings, but I would think Devers certainly belongs on the current list. Last year, Devers split time between Low A Myrtle Beach and High A South Bend, and he compiled 122 strikeouts in 117 innings with a stellar 1.91 ERA. In addition to being named the Cubs minor league pitcher of the year for his efforts, Devers helped the South Bend Cubs win the Midwest League Championship last year.

Although his stuff is not high in the velocity department, as he sets down most hitters with his changeup, Devers finds success through control and deception. He has a similar makeup to Kyle Hendricks, who also relies on control, deception, and his changeup. If he remains on his current path, Devers is projected to be a starter at the big league level. So hopefully Devers continues his tear through the Cubs' minor league system to give MLB no choice but to put him back on this list.