Chicago Cubs: Tyson Miller battling Adbert Alzolay for 2020 rotation spot

Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Tyson Miller was promoted to Triple-A last week. He was terrific in his second start for the Iowa Cubs last night.

The Chicago Cubs could have some very interesting decisions here shortly in regards to their rotation. With Cole Hamels being an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, there is a potential opportunity in the team’s rotation for 2020. With Adbert Alzolay already having made two starts and an impressive relief outing, he would figure to be the front-runner as of today.

That is unless Tyson Miller has something to say about it. Miller was a fourth-round draft pick in the 2016 draft out of California Baptist University. I actually had a chance to speak with him when he was still with Double-A Tennessee, but he was promoted to Triple-A Iowa last week. He was roughed up in his first career start with the Iowa Cubs, but rebounded in impressive fashion last night.

Miller made 15 starts with Double-A Tennessee this season, tossing 88.0 innings while striking out 80 to just 18 walks. His combined 2.56 ERA in these starts earned him the Cubs minor league pitcher of the month for April. He began the season ranked as the 19th best prospect in the Cubs farm system, but he should see a skyrocket in his ranking when the mid-season and end-of-season rankings are released.

As previously noted, Alzolay has already made a couple of starts at the big league level and unless he’s part of a trade package to acquire a key asset, he’ll likely get the first crack at the open 5th starter spot.

Miller will spend the rest of the year in Triple-A and should make a total of approximately 10-12 starts by the end of the regular season, assuming he stays healthy. If he can have a promising showing at Triple-A, spring training next year should be an extremely exciting time to watch both pitchers make their case for the big league rotation.