Baseball America started posting its prospect rankings for each minor league. And first up was the Arizona Rookie League.
Cubs’ right-hander Dylan Cease had a good showing in his pro debut after undergoing Tommy John surgery following the 2014 draft. Baseball America ranked Dylan Cease the second best prospect in the Arizona League.
Cease impressed in extended Spring Training less than 10 months after Tommy John surgery in July 2014. Cease hit the high-90s with his fastball before his solid season in the Arizona Rookie League.
According to Bill Mitchell, Cease “clearly possessed some of the best stuff in the AZL.” Cease is still working on his command but his fastball “consistently sat 95-96 mph and touched 99.” Cease features a low-80s curveball which is an average pitch that plays better due to his fastball velocity. Mitchell described Cease’s low-80s change-up as “fringy” with good arm speed that is also helped due to his fastball.
There is concern, according to Mitchell, about his delivery and “whether the use of his lower half will allow him to stay in the rotation without making adjustments.”
Cease appeared in 11 games for the AZL Cubs and made eight starts. The 19-year old posted a 1-2 record with a 2.62 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. Cease gave up 12 runs, seven earned, on 12 hits with 16 walks, 25 strikeouts and no home runs in 24 innings.
Dylan Cease is in Arizona participating in fall instructs. And there is a good chance he could begin next season with Low-A South Bend.
• Full Report from Baseball America
The Cubs selected Dylan Cease in the sixth round of the 2014 draft and bought the high schooler out of his commitment to Vanderbilt. Cease received a $1.5 million signing bonus and was one of the three pitchers (Justin Steele and Carson Sands) the Cubs were able to sign after taking Kyle Schwarber, Jake Stinnett and Mark Zagunis in the first three rounds and inking them to under-slot deals.
• Dylan Cease’s Page on Baseball-Reference