Exactly. Nobody’s throwing 89-90 like Greg Maddox and Tom Glavine anymore.
Chicago Cubs 2026
yup
everyone trying to throw 103 mph fastballs for 3 innings & curveballs that break like a rainbow
Bregman turnaround starts in the 7th inning tonight (sent after the HR; I won't pretend to be clairvoyant).
I guess I’ll eat my words. But only if the Cubs win!I can’t Stan watch his flyouts. He doesn’t even have warning track power. Ugh
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
He’s had a ton of weak contact this year, but is showing some signs recently of maybe breaking out of it.I can’t Stan watch his flyouts. He doesn’t even have warning track power. Ugh
Really breaking out. Are we going to see a different Bregman in the second half?
Think the Cubs brass has figured out that pitchers get hurt and the farm system is way too light with pitching?
Cubs took another 8 pitchers with their final 11 picks to finish with 16 of 21 making their living on the bump. I haven’t read anything about their draft other than on the first rounder — spinning the ball rather than big velocity is his game — but let’s hope we found some diamonds in the rough.
That's the same number of injured pitchers this season. Coincidence or no?
Not Cubs related, but he’s probably right.
Final draft results:
-16 pitchers (15 via college).
-5 hitters (4 via college).
Ending the first half tied for the 5th best record in baseball. All things considered, I'll take it. Rest well this week, Cubs!
-16 pitchers (15 via college).
-5 hitters (4 via college).
Ending the first half tied for the 5th best record in baseball. All things considered, I'll take it. Rest well this week, Cubs!
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
The first round pick sits 94-98 with his fastball. I think his issue is lack of movement on it and that usually means he surrenders a lot of longballs.
94-98 is an ENORMOUS variation and would be two totally different pitchers. 98 with lack of movement can, at very least, can get you a spot in the back end of the bullpen. 94 with no movement doesn't get you past AA.
If a guy tops out at 94, that takes a HUGE amount of development, which includes the need for a developed changeup, much more precise location and obviously a breaking ball that doesn't have to be overly effective, rather another pitch to look for.
If a guy hits 98, a good slider/sinker puts you in the rotation. Adding a cutter and a changeup puts you in the All Star game.
In either scenario, seems like significant development is required for the floor, but 98 gives you a much higher ceiling and options.
Wait, How does one break a home run record in the ninth round?
I miss the days when a writer had a secretary and an editor.
Not sure where you got that... from Keith Law's scouting report "up to 98 mph with huge carry atop a five-pitch mix that arguably had two more plus pitches in the splitter and cutter."
Sounds like command of the FB is where he has work to do. His breaking stuff looks phenomenal. He is a bit on the small side, but was just a sophomore at Ole Miss this year.
Let's just hope his elbow isn't held together with duct tape and chewing gum...
This seems much more likely. 94 would not indicate the upside potential that 98 does. That is just a monumental difference.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
Not sure where I got that but it seems like it was a summarizing error by me.
I hope he makes it has had a helluva season
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
I wonder if he's a catcher in the Ballesteros mold...
He is an older guy, for a prospect. (25, which isn't crazy old for a catching prospect, they tend to take longer...) He played college ball for 5 years, then broke his hand in 2024 and only played 18 minor league games. Best tools are his arm, slugging, and plate discipline. Dude's OPS has been insane since last fall.
Seems like a very different prospect than Ballesteros, who can catch, but doesn't have any plus tools behind the plate. Miggy isn't particularly disciplined either, he got to the majors because of his bat to ball skills.
Ayers is described as having a "cannon" behind the plate. Here is a video of him gunning down the #1 prospect in baseball.
With Kelly being a FA this off-season, and Amaya arbitration eligible, they will have some decisions to make about catcher for next year. If Ayers continues to produce at the plate, one of them may be out the door. (Kelly is likely to get a major boost in salary after the last 2 seasons, and is 31)
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