With the injury to Jon Lester and the bullpen raising a few questions marks recently, the Cubs main focus for September when the rosters expand will be pitching. And while the Cubs would love to get some work for less experienced farm hands, the team is clinging to a 2.5 game lead in the division. They do not have luxury of a 13.5 game lead in the division like they did this time last year, so expect the Cubs to add players who are ready to help lock up a playoff spot.
Victor Caratini
I have been impressed with Caratini as both a hitter and catcher behind the plate during his 17 games with the big league club this year. And while his offensive numbers while with the Cubs haven’t come close to his slash line in Iowa, .344/.387/.557 with 10 home runs, his ability to hit from both sides of the plate and also play some 1st base will give the Cubs a solid depth piece.
"Filling in for Anthony Rizzo, part of the job description is to hit for power. And boy, does he deliver!" Congrats on HR #1 @VictorCaratini pic.twitter.com/mBCjUkpvxW
— CSN Chicago (@CSNChicago) July 30, 2017
His defense behind the plate, while still developing, he has plus arm strength and has looked solid as a receiver and framer. The numbers do not reflect that yet, but with a small sample size, it’d be foolish to assume Caratini can’t improve on his framing blocking the plate. However, with the additions of Alex Avila and Rene Rivera, Caratini won’t need to be depended on defensively – let’s just hope those power numbers in Iowa translate to Chicago.
Rob Zastryzny
The 25-year-old lefty has also spent time on the Cubs roster this year, and while his numbers in Iowa haven’t been great (6.57 ERA in 37 IP), his ability to start or come out of the bullpen will be a plus for the Cubs.
During that time, Zastryzny generated a 52.5% ground ball rate, showing that when he locates his pitches he is creating a lot of soft contact. If Zastryzny can come in and create consistent soft contact, the Cubs infield should be able to clean up an ground balls hit their way.
Jack Leathersich
Another lefty arm, Leathersich got off to a rather rough Cubs major league debut, giving up two runs in 0.2 IP after Mike Montgomery imploded for seven runs in just two innings of work. Leathersich was sent back to Iowa after his Cubs debut, but the 27-year-old deserves another shot with the big league club.
His K/9 is a staggering 14.15 to go along with a an encouraging 3.05 ERA in 41.1 innings work for the I-Cubs. He also has an opponent batting average of .164, as Leathersich has easily been one of Iowa’s most dominating arms. If he can keep his walk totals down, has given up 26 free passes in Triple A, Leathersich could be an excellent addition to the bullpen in the stretch run.
Dillon Maples
The 25-year-old right-hander has come out of nowhere this year, going from barely on the radar in terms of Cubs pitchers, to being of the hottest names in the entire farm system in 2017. Maples started the season in high A and has made his way from double A and is now the I-Cubs closer. In Iowa, Maples has saved four games with a 2.25 ERA and a 14.06 K/9 in 16 IP, and Cubs fans are excited to see if he can do the same in Chicago.
Dillon Maples was nasty tonight in his #IowaCubs debut. Hit 99 and dropped this filthy hammer. #ThatsCub #PowerArms #GoCubsGo pic.twitter.com/OMRIO3NH7J
— Keith Schulte (@K173401) July 19, 2017
Maples, who was drafted in 2011 by former GM Jim Hendry, received $2.5 million out of high school to come and be apart of the Cubs system. However, up until this season, Maples was looking like a change-of-scenery type of player. He features a fastball that climbs all the way up to 98 mph, and he pars it well with a curve ball that falls off the table and recently added a slider giving him three-plus pitches.
