We have spent the previous few days speaking concerning the Cubs. total heavy pitch techniqueand Brett recapped every of the Cubs’ picks in his Day two Y Day Three posts. Not sufficient data on these guys to do full deep dives like I did with Cade Horton Y jackson ferrishowever he needed to speak about every one when it comes to how the Cubs would possibly method their particular person developments.
Cubs will not signal all of them: scouting director Dan Kantrovitz suppose the quantity can be 18 or 19 β however at present I need to act like they do, and play armchair participant improvement director by discussing how the group can mould these clay balls into the massive leagues.
Christopher Paciolla, third spherical, SS/3B, age 18
At first there can be a mission for the power and conditioning group. Permit Paciolla to complete rising after which add as a lot muscle as attainable with out sacrificing an excessive amount of athleticism. This could enable the uncooked energy it is going to put out to show into a large constructive.
I see some Chase Strumpf parallels in Paciolla, and a few of that you simply need to settle for, however you additionally hope that having him in his late teenagers means you possibly can prepare him to have extra constant contact than Strumpf has achieved. And eventually, however with out speeding, you discover a defensive dwelling for it.
Nazier Mule, 4th spherical, RHP, age 17
Mule has achieved a reasonably good job of strengthening his framework over the previous two years, so I might think about his first yr within the Cubs group can be extra pitch-focused than loads of his teenage friends. There appears to be some inconsistency in how Mule strikes his weight by his decrease physique throughout the throw, so an early focus can be on constructing mechanical consistency. From there, he’ll play catches on all of his pitches: how you can add a little bit extra IVB to the fastball, a little bit extra sweep to the slider, a little bit extra fade to the changeup.
For me, this all comes lengthy earlier than exploring the bidirectional potential of Mule. However if you wish to hit some, I do not see the hurt in that. I might wish to see him use his hips higher and make the trail of the hand cleaner.
Brandon Birdsell, fifth spherical, RHP, age 22
In actual fact, I do not suppose we’ll see the Cubs messing with Birdsell’s distinctive mechanic a lot, possibly simply minor tweaks to see if he can get again to the pace spikes of his previous. I think the group will sort out the change first, in all probability with a brand new grip. Then you definitely merely determine which is the perfect swap to go together with your slider: curveball, cutter, or each.
Will Frisch, sixth spherical, RHP, age 22
I am at present rehabbing Tommy John surgical procedure, so this one is straightforward. Give him to the Arizona group for the following 12 months, allow them to get him wholesome and stronger than ever. Finally, I think you will see break balls get a whole rework.
Nick Hull, seventh spherical, RHP, age 22
Hull’s slider seems to be like such a very good pitch that he’ll have the ability to spend the following 14 months leaping between the A-ball lists, serving to out in no matter position is requested of him. The group’s precedence on cut-and-run fastballs certainly means they’ve nuanced plans of assault with the pitch, and Hull’s fastball suits the invoice, so it is essential to show him how you can play an unusual fastball.
Mason McGwire, eighth spherical, RHP, age 18
The largest steps in McGwire’s subsequent improvement will happen within the weight room (and cafeteria). The suitable-hander has a very good 30 kilos so as to add within the coming seasons. I would not trouble him making his minor league debut till the ACL in June 2023, which might give the high-performing group virtually a full yr to construct McGwire’s basis. Then you possibly can start to investigate how you can educate him to throw.
Connor Noland, ninth spherical, RHP, age 23
The Cubs have a pace coaching program that they’ll tailor to particular pitchers, and I hope Noland turns into a scholar of that course. Most likely greater than as soon as over the following few seasons, the Cubs will see if there is a strategy to squeeze some extra of Noland’s fastball. Breaking balls are actually strong, so solely the changeup exhibits up as a pitch that wants a brand new grip.
Brody McCullough, tenth spherical, RHP, age 22
McCullough’s fastball speeding numbers are actually strong, and he does a very good job coming off the mound, so the Cubs’ first job is to teach him on their core competency. For him to achieve success, I believe they’ll say, he must reside and be within the high third of the zone. There’s some arm slot consistency (I’m wondering if they will look to decrease that launch top) to be achieved, and every secondary can be checked out beneath the microscope, however at the start, you concentrate on fastball consistency and execution.
Branden Noriega, spherical 11, LHP, age 21
It appears to me that Noriega is destined for reduction, so in my view, his improvement must concentrate on issues that maximize success within the brief inning. Slightly time within the weight room will go a good distance, and I believe the throwing coaches will encourage Noriega to raised make the most of his athleticism in his throwing movement (extra tempo). The breaking ball will ultimately go beneath the microscope, however that will occur throughout the 2023 season.
Mathew Peters, spherical 12, RHP, age 21
Are you able to prepare command? The Cubs’ funniest mission on this draft is the arm of Ivy Tech Neighborhood Faculty Northeast, who grew 9 inches out of highschool and has seen his pace proceed to extend, all the best way to 101. I like using his half. decrease. on the throwing movement, I believe the Cubs will have a look at his proper wrist/hand a bit to additional simplify issues.
Luis Rujano, spherical 13, RHP, 19 years previous
It is humorous, as a result of whereas I do not suppose you are enjoying with Brandon Birdsell’s short-arm supply a lot, I believe you are actually seeking to play with Rujano’s model. Decrease half engagement throughout launch could possibly be significantly better, utilizing that rear to load higher. Individuals smarter than me should decide if that arm motion is sustainable or if the next remaining pace will be found if you happen to lengthen it.
Shane Marshall, spherical 14, RHP, age 22
is the brand new Story of Jerrick Suiter; a place participant performs on the mound and the Cubs’ analysis and improvement group needs to know if he is actual. So step one within the Cubs’ improvement plan right here is to actually set up a baseline with what he can do on a mound. Construct consistency with a two-step combine to begin. Create a weight room plan that may assist form the physique into the perfect launching form. Then modify primarily based on the outcomes.
Haydn McGeary, spherical 15, C/1B/LF, age 22
McGeary ticks the containers he needs on contact injury (and will in all probability do it with rather less cost). He made me consider Matt Mervis, who had the identical nice exit velocities however struggled so much at Low-A in 2021 earlier than his 2022 mass breakout. I believe an enormous key was determining a constant dwelling plate method to take to skilled baseball that matched his talent set. Serving to McGeary discover that and restrict strikeouts can be key.
JP Wheat, spherical 16, RHP, 20 years
Weight acquire goes to be the primary purpose, which suggests this can be a name to the group dietician. As soon as that occurs, Wheat can add some muscle, and as soon as that occurs, the supply of it may be far more managed.
Andy Garriola, spherical 17, LF, 22 years previous
Opposing groups will not want a prolonged scouting report back to construct their recreation plan towards Garriola, and he is aware of what he is saying: throw it in or throw it excessive. Studying to fight these components of the zone, first by merely swinging much less, goes to be actually key. One key can be getting sooner and extra environment friendly on the ball by limiting your hand exercise earlier than you swing.
Garrett Brown, 18th spherical, RHP, age 22
Throwing at 6-foot-7 calls for two requirements: staying athletic and maximizing that lean. Brown should change into a grounding machine by residing and dying by his sinker, and the Cubs will decide the perfect breaking ball form to go together with getting off that pitch.
Brock Blatter, spherical 19, RHP, age 18
Regardless of being pretty full, I believe the high-performance group would do a very good job of guaranteeing Blatter’s physique composition is the place he needs it to be. He appears to have an actual aptitude for breaking balls, so I believe the important thing can be studying to manage them and permitting Blatter to shoot them 50% of the time. I believe the fastball can change into one of many cut-and-run varieties the Cubs like today.
Ke’Shun Collier, spherical 20, CF/LF, age 21
I believe the important thing with guys like Collier, too small to have vital energy projections, is to encourage him to make use of his legs to all the benefits it could actually provide. Be nice at reads within the outfield, be nice at bunting, make a lot of contact and be unstoppable on base paths. Creating 10 to twenty worth runs along with your legs is a should.