Cubs Promote Top Pitching Prospect Adbert Alzolay From Triple-A
By James.r
Help is on its way for the Chicago Cubs pitching staff after the injury suffered by Kyle Hendricks. Since Hendricks went down, there have been a lot of questions about whether Tyler Chatwood is a good enough pitcher to fill his spot and take a more significant role on a team in the middle of a tight division race.
After much speculation earlier this week, the Cubs have finally called up top prospect Adbert Alzolay to perhaps take on a hybrid role on the pitching staff in Hendricks' absence.
The #Cubs today recalled RHP Adbert Alzolay from @IowaCubs. LHP Tim Collins was designated for assignment. pic.twitter.com/kAMmRLVnCX
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 20, 2019
The 24-year-old Alzolay signed with the Cubs as an international free agent from Venezuela in 2012 and has since had a long but successful journey to the MLB. He sports an upper-90s fastball, and what Cubs GM Theo Epstein has described as "electric stuff."
In Triple-A this season, the Cubs' No. 4 prospect (per MLB Pipeline) has pitched in six games to the tune of an impressive 3.38 ERA and an even more impressive 0.938 WHIP. On top of all that, he's been doing it in the extremely hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, and his numbers have only been improving as the season's gone on.
If you are tired/annoyed of reading about how good @IowaCubs RHP Adbert Alzolay has been lately, you should probably bypass this tweet.
— Alex Cohen (@voiceofcohen) June 15, 2019
Final line tonight: 6 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 9 K (ties season-high).
Last 5 starts: 28.0 IP/6 ER, 1.93 ERA, 40 strikeouts, 3 walks.
Cubs fans should be thrilled that such an exciting player is joining the big league club at a time when Chicago needs him the most. Finally!