The Cubs first round draft choice was a college starting pitcher.
MLB.com stated:
27) Cubs: Ryan Jensen, RHP, Fresno State
This is the biggest surprise of the first
round so far, as Jensen was ranked No. 99 on our ranking of the top 200
Draft prospects. There's a lack of college pitching in this Draft,
however, and we may see more teams push some college arms up their Draft
boards, as the Cubs appeared to here. Jensen has one of the best
fastballs in the college class, usually working at 94-98 mph and
maintaining his velocity into the late innings. The secondary stuff is
inconsistent, as is his control, and he doesn't have a real big frame
(6-foot, 180 pounds), so he could be a reliever.
It is surprising that the Cubs reached for a third round prospect in the first round. It is another small frame pitcher who projects to be a reliever.
First round arms are supposed to be starters (unless you are a dominant career closer like the White Sox Burdi) because all relievers are failed starters.
High velocity throwers are nice, but can they pitch to make outs?
The reason the Cubs picked a college pitcher: to try to fast track him to the majors. The minor league system is devoid of any immediate help for the pitching staff. Could Jensen's velocity be enough to be a late season call-up to bolster an overworked bullpen? It is doubtful. But the Cubs window for a second championship run is closing fast with the improvements in their own division rivals.
The Cubs in the Theo era have NEVER developed their own starting pitcher. The first round choice is already pegged for relief duty by scouts.
It appears that the Cubs cannot solve their pitching problems by spending any money. Kimbrel and Keuchel are unrestricted free agents, but the Cubs are not thought to be interested in either. Ricketts has said he would not allow the Cubs to go over the luxury cap (where the Cubs payroll was on Game 1). The front office has been squeezing nickels out of dimes to supplement the roster. When the Indians gave up on Carlos Gonzalez (he was hitting .210), the Cubs picked him up for a prorated league minimum (from part of the payroll savings of not paying Zobrist who is on the restricted list). This is like trying to find lost change under the sofa cushions in order to buy a pizza.
Do not be surprised if the Cubs front load more pitchers in this year's draft because that seems to be the overriding need for the system.
