Chicago Cubs MLB Draft: Biggest needs on Day 2
By Ryan Sikes
The Chicago Cubs must address starting pitching.
If the Cubs were going to pass on Mitchell in the first round, I would have bet money that they were going to take a college pitcher. It’s well-known that the Cubs are going to lose most of their rotation after the season to free agency. There’s a potential for some of them to return, but the fact of the matter is, the Cubs really don’t have a lot to brag about in the minors.
Sure, they have Brailyn Marquez, who looks the part of a future ace, but he has yet to pitch above High-A. Adbert Alzolay was expected to have an increased role this year, but potentially as a bullpen arm. And both Tyson Miller and Cory Abbott are promising prospects but far from proven.
That said, the Cubs must take a nearly Major League-ready starting pitcher early on. Here are several options that they can choose from.
Cole Wilcox, RHP (Georgia)
How the heck is Wilcox still on the board? In four starts, before the shutdown, this year, the big righty posted a 1.57 ERA while striking out 32 batters in 23.0 innings and walking just two. He may go early in Round Two, but if he’s there with the 51st overall pick, the Cubs have to take him.
Clayton Beeter, RHP (Texas Tech)
After making all 21 appearances out of the bullpen last year, Beeter moved into the rotation this season. In four starts, he posted a 2.14 ERA while striking out 33 batters in 21.0 innings while limiting the opposition to a .169 average. Despite not playing in a wood-bat league, Beeter improved his command from a year ago, 8.8 BB/9 down to 1.7 BB/9.
J.T. Ginn, RHP (Mississippi State)
Tommy John surgery prematurely ended his 2020 season, and many believe that he’ll end up returning to school to improve his draft stock. However, he’d be worth the risk for the Cubs in the second round. In 2019, Ginn made 17 starts as a freshman, posting a 3.13 ERA while striking out 105 batters in 86.1 innings.