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

One of the Cubs top pitching prospects, Alzolay received a call-up in June of last season, dazzling against the Mets where he struck out five allowed just one run in a four-inning start. He would have another impressive start against the Braves, allowing just one run and striking out four more batters in 4.2 innings.

But after those two encouraging starts, Alzolay was lit up for seven runs in just 2.2 innings of work against the Pirates and was sent down to Triple-A Iowa until rosters expanded in September. The 25-year-old right-handed pitcher has elite stuff, with a vicious curveball and a fastball that regularly sits in the high-90’s, but when his stuff isn’t quite there Alzolay struggles.

Walks are a major concern with Alzolay and even in Spring Training was having issues locating his pitches walking four batters and allowing two home runs in just five innings of work. The right-hander has to find his control if the Cubs want to seriously consider Alzolay for the rotation, he’ll to have to turn heads in a truncated spring training to earn a shot.