3 Cubs One-Hit Wonders We Wish Hadn't Disappeared

The Chicago Cubs are an historic franchise that finally ended a legendary title drought in 2016. That was due to the front office building a team stacked with stars who all came together and played their best.

Yet it is not like the Cubs lacked talent in the past. Several players showed up in Chicago and appeared to be the next big thing. Instead, they faded away as fast as they came, and a few names that will give Cubs fans fond memories and headaches stand out in particular.

3. Jerome Walton

Jerome Walton had a great debut season with the Chicago Cubs. / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Jerome Walton showed up in Chicago in 1989 and proceeded to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award and finish 13th in MVP voting. Unfortunately, he never repeated his initial success. Walton's 1.9 WAR in 1989 was the best in his career, and he never eclipsed his .721 OPS in his final three seasons with the Cubs. Walton was with the Cubs from 1989-1992 and left after only appearing in 30 games in 1992. Remembering him today should still give fans some good memories, though, as the Cubs made the postseason in his rookie season.

2. Rick Wilkins

Rick Wilkins was a star for the Chicago Cubs in 1993. / BRIAN BAHR/Getty Images

Rick Wilkins debuted with the Cubs in 1991 and appeared in about half his team's games during his first two seasons. Then came a 1993 campaign, where he posted a 6.6 WAR and slugged 30 home runs with a .937 OPS. He batted .303 and drove in 73 runs. Wilkins looked like a star, but could never recreate his amazing season. The catcher only hit seven home runs in 1994 and was sent to Houston during the 1995 season.

1. Mark Prior

Mark Prior was supposed to be an ace for the Chicago Cubs. / George Gojkovich/Getty Images

Mark Prior is one of the biggest one-hit wonders in MLB history. The pitcher went 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA in 2003 and finished third in NL Cy Young voting. He was also an All-Star, and even finished ninth in MVP voting. Then the injuries really struck, and Prior was never the same pitcher. His 166.2 innings in 2005 appeared to be promising, but Prior never appeared in MLB again following the 2006 season. He serves as a cautionary tale for overworking pitchers, and it is hard to not be sympathetic toward him and his career.