Keegan Thompson May Open Season in Iowa as Bullpen Takes Shape – Cubs Insider

The Cubs have proven off fairly an array of hard-throwing relievers with sick stuff this spring, although developments with a few of their incumbent pitchers might make bullpen development harder than initially thought. Along with how particular person pitchers look in Mesa, the membership has to weigh the worth of minor league choices and the truth that they’ve nonetheless acquired only one lefty reliever on the roster.

One of many largest complicating elements up to now has been the disappointing efficiency of Keegan Thompson, who was slotted right into a aid position previous to the beginning of camp. Thompson’s fastball velocity isn’t the place the Cubs would really like it to be and his secondaries haven’t been as crisp, so there’s a definite chance that he’ll go to Iowa to work some issues out.

That leaves Adbert Alzolay as the first lengthy reliever, which wouldn’t be unhealthy in any respect aside from the truth that the staff would favor to raised shield the rotation. One very sturdy chance to affix Alzolay is Javier Assad, who has pitched very effectively for Mexico within the WBC and whose fastball is within the higher 90s at this level. Assuming Hayden Wesneski earns the fifth rotation spot, Assad ought to get an opportunity within the bullpen over Adrian Sampson.

Brandon Hughes is that lone lefty within the ‘pen and he’s been lower than nice this spring, which begs the query of why the Cubs by no means introduced in backup. Jed Hoyer teased an addition a short while again and all indicators appeared to level to Zack Britton as a match, however I assume the cash simply hasn’t labored out. Mark Leiter Jr. put up nice reverse splits and might be used as a pseudo-southpaw, however he’ll need to be given a roster spot.

After all, Britton would have required a spot as effectively and one might be cleared by transferring somebody to the 60-day IL.

There are another attention-grabbing choices to make with Cam Sanders, who I’d personally prefer to see make it, and Jeremiah Estrada. Each might have to attend, as Sahadev Sharma writes that they’re each “in all probability ticketed for Triple A” to open the season. Michael Fulmer ought to earn a bulk of the save probabilities, assuming his teammates put him able to take action, however there are a number of others who may take the ninth in given conditions.

All we actually know for certain is that the Cubs have a whole lot of choices, lots of which can proceed to bubble up from the minors. For the primary time in years, there’s a way that every part doesn’t need to go completely proper to ensure that the employees to succeed.