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Chicago Cubs: Is Dillon Maples another trade piece?

By Matthew Squires

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Theo Epstein, President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs, looks on prior to Game One of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Theo Epstein, President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs, looks on prior to Game One of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Cubs prospect Dillon Maples has dominated minor league hitters this season and has recently been called up to the Triple-A. He is vying for a spot with the Chicago Cubs, but should they have different plans?

Theo Epstein and the rest of the Chicago Cubs front office need to be trusted. When it comes to the trade deadline, Epstein and his cronies are playing chess while most teams are playing checkers. To make a savvy move, recently promoted pitcher, Dillon Maples, should be moved in a deal for a back-end starting pitcher.

Who is Dillon Maples?

Dillon Maples is 25 years old. He was a 14th round pick in 2011 and recently pulled up to Triple A. He was originally drafted as a starting pitcher but that quickly fizzled out due to a high ERA and walk rate. Maples has not started a game since 2014, and it has turned out for the better.

He has revived his career path as a reliever. His ridiculous 34.4% strikeout percentage with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans fast tracked his way to Double-A. Maples upped his strikeout rate to 43.1% in Double A with the Tennessee Smokies. He has a wipeout slider that is graded as an 80 on the 20-80 scale, according to Patrick Mooney’s story.   

"“The Cubs see Maples as having an 80 slider on the 20-80 scouting scale and encouraged him to use that as his primary weapon, understanding there will still be a learning curve in the Pacific Coast League”"

Maples does have a ridiculous strikeout percentage, but his walk percentage is concerning – 11.7% at Myrtle Beach and 16.9% with the Tennessee Smokies. As a reference, anything over 9% is considered awful by Fangraphs.

Flash in a pan?

So the numbers have been laid out. Dillon Maples has a wipeout slider and an outrageous strikeout rate. He also has an egregious walk percentage. Pitching is volatile, so Maples could very well prove to be just a flash in the pan.  Chicago Cubs fans need to wait and see if Dillon Maples can hold his own against Triple-A batters before penciling him into a role with the major league club in 2017.

Trade piece?

The Cubs are in a great position when it comes to Dillon Maples. He either improves and helps the Chicago Cubs in the bullpen or gets traded for a player that will benefit the Cubs this season.

This is a win-win situation for the Cubs. Jeimer Candelario and Dillon Maples could easily headline a transaction that brings a late rotation starter. The Cubs should strike while the iron is hot and flip Maples and Candelario while they can. Other teams would salivate over Maples’ 80-grade slider.

Next: Cubs reportedly targeting Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish

Something to keep in mind, Carl Edwards Jr. is often criticized for his control issues. In Double-A, Maples had a similar walk percentage but a higher strikeout percentage than Edwards. Edwards now plays a major role in the Cubs’ bullpen, so maybe Maples can follow his lead.  

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