Cubs prospect RHP Dylan Cease lands in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list
MLB Pipeline updated its Top 100 Prospect list and Cubs’ right-hander Dylan Cease cracked the ranking at No. 100. Cease moved up two spots later in the day on Sunday when Jeimer Candelario was added to the Top 100 at No. 100. The Cubs now have four of the top prospects in the game, according to MLB Pipeline, in its system.
Dylan Cease (98) joined 2B/OF Ian Happ (22), OF Eloy Jimenez (24) and Jeimer Candelario (100) on MLB Pipeline’s ranking and is widely considered the Cubs’ top pitching prospect.
Cease, 20, went 2-0 with a 2.22 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 12 starts for the eventual Northwest League Champions, the Eugene Emeralds. Cease truly dominated the Short-Season league down the stretch and earned the last pitcher of the week award.
For the season, Cease gave up 14 runs, 11 earned, on 27 hits with 25 walks and 66 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings.
In the second half, Cease was 1-0 in seven starts with a 1.17 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. Cease allowed five runs, three earned, on eight hits with 17 walks and 43 strikeouts in 23 innings.
Including his appearance in the playoffs, Cease did not allow a run over his last three starts (14 innings). Cease surrendered only five hits with six walks and 24 strikeouts.
Jim Callis said before the season that as long as Cease stayed healthy, he would be considered one of the top 100 prospects in the game before the end of the year. And Callis was right.
Cease is participating in the Fall Instructional League along with more than 70 of the youngest players in the organization.
Dylan Cease has a big arm and features a fastball that can touch triple digits on the radar gun. Cease is one of several young pitchers in the system that project as starters in the majors. Cease has the stuff and potential to be a top of the rotation starter in the big leagues.
Note: Report Updated 6:20pm CDT to reflect changes made by MLB Pipeline
• Dylan Cease’s Page on MiLB.com
• MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects