Chicago Cubs prospect profile: Dakota Mekkes

Before the season begins, we will be giving you a profile on each of the Cubs top 30 prospects according to MLB Pipeline. Coming in at number 30 is pitcher Dakota Mekkes.

As a 10th round draft pick out of Michigan State the Cubs took a chance on Dakota Meekes, a young right hander, maybe a bit earlier than expected. However, Mekkes could eventually find a role somewhere in the MLB. Whether that be with Chicago or with another team remains to be seen. Being down in High A ball means that Mekkes will continue work on his craft until the Cubs deem him ready to pitch in the highest professional league of baseball in the world.

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Standing at 6’7 with a powering fastball, Mekkes may remind some of the older generation of an early Randy Johnson. When Johnson first came into baseball, nobody expected him to become one of the most ferocious pitchers baseball had ever seen, yet he became exactly that. With a fastball that can reach 93 MPH, he is less of a fireballer than Johnson was in his prime years, but Mekkes can still bring the heat.

Mekkes spent his 2017 season splitting time between the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and the South Bend Cubs, pitching in 42 total games. Used mostly as a reliever like in college, Mekkes threw 73.1 innings with 92 strikeouts according to Baseball-Reference.com.

The Earned Run Average was also a higher point for Mekkes, as he finished the season at a low of .98. Considering he was in his second season out of collegiate ball, and still getting acclimated to the rigorous demands of playing in the MiLB, that number is outstanding. His SO/9 innings was also at an unbelievable rate of 11.3. If he wants to become a closer in the MLB, that number will have to stay around that.

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As for what the 2018 season will bring Mekkes, he will likely begin the year back in Myrtle Beach with the Pelicans. If he shows command of other pitches outside of his fastball, he could work his way up the totem pole quickly. In all likelihood Mekkes will end the season in Double AA with the Tennessee Smokies.