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The Chicago Cubs had a disappointing 6-5 loss Monday afternoon against the Atlanta Braves, but following the game word began to spread that the top prospect in the system will most likely make his MLB debut Saturday.
Beginning with Monday’s makeup game against Atlanta, the Cubs have 11 in 10 days that includes a double-header Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds. Not sure which one he’s going to pitch, but Iowa Cubs beat writer Tommy Birch is reporting that Adbert Alzolay is likely to start one of the two games Saturday.
Hearing that #Cubs top prospect Adbert Alzolay is a candidate to start one of Chicago's two games in Saturday's doubleheader. Likely the guy. #MiLB
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) May 14, 2018
The 23-year-old starter for the Iowa Cubs Monday and had a rough outing, allowing five earned runs on three home runs over 4.2 innings. Yet, heading into that start he had a 2.91 ERA in his first four starts at Tripe-A in 2018, allowing 16 total hits in 21.2 innings before Monday.
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In 2017, Alzolay had a 2.99 ERA in 22 starts, 15 coming at Myrtle Beach prior to making the jump to Double-A Tennessee.
If Alzolay does indeed start Saturday it’ll be against the Reds, who have been awful against right-handed pitching this season. With Yu Darvish set to return, fans should only expect to see this one spot start for Alzolay.
The Cubs don’t have many big-name star prospects close to the big leagues, so Alzolay getting to pitch Saturday in Cincinnati should interest fans very much. He’s the top ranked prospect in the minors for the Cubs and Theo Epstein believes Alzolay will one day be in the starting rotation.
Getting a little sneak peek will certainly be nice.
