Chicago Cubs: Brailyn Marquez putting up monster season in Single-A

The Chicago Cubs were able to get through the trade deadline while keeping their top pitching prospect, who is having a huge year in Single-A.

The Chicago Cubs have been relying on free agency to acquire their starting pitching talent but that is going to need to change soon as both Jon Lester and Cole Hamels are in the twilight of their careers. Hamels is actually an restricted free agent at the end of the season so there is a potential opening in the rotation next season.

Brailyn Marquez likely won’t be ready by then but that shouldn’t deter Cubs fans from being excited about the 20-year old. Marquez was signed to a $600,000 bonus as part of the 2015-2016 international free agent market. He has a lively fastball that already touches the upper 90’s often reaching 100 mph.

He’s been really good for Single-A South Bend this year and put up crazy numbers in July. Marquez tossed 27.1 innings in six starts for the month and struck out 29 batters to the tune of a 1.65 ERA. His start on July 25 consisted of a 14 strikeout performance in which he struck out the side three times. In the first inning of that game, he struck out the side and his out pitches was clocked at over 100 mph.

Marquez will without a doubt be named the minor league pitcher of the month for his efforts in July. He is currently ranked by MLB Pipeline as the team’s number one pitching prospect. He’s made 17 starts this season and has tossed 77.1 innings to go along with 102 strikeouts while allowing opponents to bat just 0.228 off him.

Here’s what MLB Pipeline has to say about his pitching arsenal and future:

"“Marquez’s fastball topped out at 95 mph in 2017 and sat at 93-96 and peaked at 99 last season with typical four-seamer riding action. His secondary pitches can vary wildly in consistency, with his breaking ball showing flashes of becoming a plus power curve but also devolving into a slurve when he doesn’t stay on top of it. His changeup is less reliable, showing some life but often arriving too firm in the low 90s.Since coming to the United States in 2017, Marquez has had no problem throwing strikes. But his low-three-quarters arm slot and his mechanics lead some scouts to worry about his ability to master his secondary offerings and his command. He has the upside of a frontline starter and the fastball to serve as a high-leverage reliever if he can’t stick in the rotation.”"

He’s projected to be ready by 2021 and my hunch is that he starts next season in Double-A Tennessee. Again, he’s just 20 years old, so there’s really no need to rush him but Cubs fans should be really excited about his development thus far.