One of the Cubs top pitching prospect, Adbert Alzolay, will start Spring Training behind schedule as he recovers from an injury sustained while throwing last week.
The news came during a media session by Cubs GM Jed Hoyer, who said the Cubs will use an "abundance of caution" after his 2018 season was derailed by a lat issue.
When he did pitch last year he was not as effective as he had been at lower levels, but it's fair to question whether the injury and the PCL being hitter friendly played a role in that. He made just 8 starts for AAA Iowa posting a 4.76 ERA in 39.2 innings. He struck out only 27 while walking just 13.
His prospect status has taken a slight hit after last season. Fangraphs has him ranked as the Cubs 4th best prospect after ranking him 2nd last year. They said his change up is not up to par with his other pitches and that "The combination of injury and the changeup reps lost to [injury] make it more likely that Alzolay ends up in the bullpen, but he could be a dominant high-leverage option there."
If he can get fully healthy and in shape for the start of the season he should start the season back at Iowa, but if he pitches well he could see himself pitching at Wrigley Field by the end of the season, whether it's out of the rotation or the bullpen remains to be seen.
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