Top Cubs pitching prospect Adbert Alzolay is slated to miss the remainder of the season, GM Jed Hoyer told reporters including Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter). The recovery timeline for the lat injury he suffered recently is too lengthy to make a return plausible.
Clearly, that’s disappointing news for the Chicago organization and its prized young hurler. The 23-year-old was seen as a rising talent entering the year, topping most lists of the best prospects in a generally low-rated farm.
It surely seemed possible, at least, that Alzolay would factor as soon as the current season and certainly by 2019. He had not exactly dominated in eight starts at Triple-A, working to a 4.76 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 over 39 2/3 innings, but was (and is) still seen as a big talent within the organization.
As Hoyer put it, via MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat (on Twitter): “It’s a setback for 2018 but we don’t see it as a setback for his career. We love the makeup, love the stuff. We think he’ll help us a lot in the future.”
It’s obviously still possible that Alzolay will be a notable part of the Cubs’ depth chart next year. But the loss will tell. He will miss a lot of development opportunities, while the team will not get to evaluate him as fully. Most notably of all, perhaps, is the simple question of innings. Alzolay had not previously topped 120 1/3 in a full season. Even if he is able to log some frames in fall or winter ball, that’s not going to make the Cubs comfortable pushing him out next season.
Fortunately for the Cubs, the 2019 rotation is already fully accounted for (assuming full health). Still, Alzolay’s injury situation will impact the team’s planning. Per Hoyer, via ESPNChicago.com’s Jesse Rogers (on Twitter): “We’ll be on the lookout for rotation depth and in the bullpen, no matter what, but this [injury to Alzolay] underscores that a little bit.”
Dang, that’s too bad. I was looking forward to seeing what he could do this year. Hopefully he recover later and comes back strong next season
“working to a 4.76 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 over 39 2/3 innings, but was (and is) still seen as a big talent within the organization.”
What happened to this farm system?
They all got promoted, won a World Series and went to 3 straight NLCS and counting. Most of them haven’t even hit their peak yet and are still under team control til at least 2022. Theo and Co will have the system restocked and ready to contribute by then because that’s what does, he did it here and did it in Boston. No worries, unless you’re hater, then you have plenty to worry about.
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Exactly this.
I’m surprised you were able to type all this with Theo’s Schweddy Balls in your face.
They’re not “schweddy” You haven’t been paying attention, Theo doesn’t sweat… or schwed.
It won a WS
Isn’t stopping Houston’s farm from still being in the top half of the league.
Schwarber – MLB
Happ – MLB
Russell – MLB
Almora – MLB
Cease/Jimenez – traded to CWS in Quintana deal
Torres – traded to NYY in Chapman deal
Baez=mlb
Bryant = mlb
Contreras =mlb
Stats in the minors don’t tell you how good a prospect is… he’s a borderline top 100 prospect. their system isn’t great, obviously because they have been World Series contenders for the last few years.
In a Fangraphs chat not long ago it was mentioned that under Theo, the Cubs have been the worst team in MLB at developing pitching. They rank last in IP from homegrown talent. Factor in the graduations, trades and no longer drafting in the top ten and you get a near barren system.
Yea because they spend most of their picks on hitters and acquire established pitching
There done. Just a matter of time a couple of injuries.
Ha ha . Done? Free agency and a lot of money cures that. Machado Harper kershaw kimbrel free agents next year .
Well maybe they should stick with trades. Heyward, Darvish and Chatwood have been mostly awful.
Lester was worth it. Too early for Darvish and Chatwood. Heyward is expensive but he’s not a zero like Chris Davis. could be a lot worse.
Zobrist was wort it too
Can guarantee this is a Brewers, Cardinals, or White Sux fan. Lol.
You haven’t been paying attention.
Hayward is argueably one of the hottest hitters in baseball right now. Have u watched any of the Cubs last 15 games? If he can’t do some of this with his defense even after the first couple of years it would still be a great signing. Also he is a experienced veteran for the Cubs, even while he was struggling he was still a leader.
Can*