Chicago Cubs rumors: 4 pitchers who could replace Jose Quintana in the rotation

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 20: Alec Mills #30 of the Chicago Cubs fist bumps Willson Contreras #40 after the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on September 20, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs. 4. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 9. RHP. Alec Mills

The 28-year-old Mills had a solid 2019 season as the Cubs swingman, appearing in nine games with four starts accumulating 36 IP with an impressive 2.75 ERA and 10.50 strikeouts per nine innings. And while his minor league numbers were underwhelming, Mills has consistently stepped up for the Cubs when they’ve needed him.

In 2018, Mills made two spot starts for the Cubs while Cole Hamels spent time on the IL, giving the Cubs at least five innings of work and pitching well enough to stick on the roster for the remainder of the season.

Mills was expected to be in the swingman role once again in 2020, but with Quintana’s injury, he should have the inside track. Mills doesn’t have elite stuff the mound but pairs his change-up and fastball well while locating most of his pitches in the lower half of the strike zone. He did see a strange uptick in home runs allowed in 2019 while with the Cubs and at Triple-A Iowa. But whether Mills ends up in the rotation or remains in the bullpen, he’ll almost definitely start for the Cubs in 2020.

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