Chicago Cubs: Three college pitchers to target in 2020 Draft
By Ryan Sikes
The Chicago Cubs can increase their odds of landing rotation pieces by focusing on college pitchers. Here are three guys that they should target.
The Chicago Cubs will lose 60 percent of their rotation after this year, and with most of their top-end pitching talent a couple of years out, it’s critical for Theo Epstein and company to load up on pitching talent. Sure, the Cubs are likely to be active in the free-agent market.
However, after a couple of backfires in lucrative free-agent money contracts, I would expect that the Ricketts family will be a bit more cautious with who they choose to sign. The Cubs cannot afford to continue relying on the free-agent market for the rotation.
Four of the first five picks were college pitchers with Ryan Jensen being the prize of the first round. He struggled with his command at short-season Eugene, posting a 2.25 ERA in six starts while striking out 19 batters in 12.0 innings but allowed 14 free passes.
The team’s third-round pick, Michael McAvene, was electric in Eugene, striking out 20 batters in 12.2 innings. He allowed a .119 average in six starts and looked to be off to a promising start as a future rotation guy after serving as Lousiville’s closer.
Likewise, Chris Clarke was selected in the fourth round out of USC. He converted to the bullpen in his junior year but made nine appearances – including eight starts – at Eugene, posting a 1.96 ERA while striking out 26 in 23.0 innings.
In the fifth round, the Cubs tabbed Josh Burgmann as a future rotation piece out of the University of Washington. He made nine starts at Eugene and posting a 3.79 ERA. In 19.0 innings, Burgmann struck out 22 batters, walked just three, and allowed a .237 average.
All four guys will be assigned to either Single-A or High-A to begin the year, but the Cubs should target the next wave of pitchers in this year’s draft.