Let’s cut right to the chase, the Cubs are not known for developing relief pitchers. Or any pitchers, for that matter. They’ve only called up a few arms — notably Kyle Hendricks, CJ Edwards, Justin Grimm, and Neil Ramirez — of any consequence over the last five years and those came from Texas via the Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster trades. In other words, the Cubs haven’t produced much of anything from start to finish in their system.
Things are about to change.
Dillon Maples broke out in 2017, rocketing from class A to the majors in one season and he is set to compete for a spot in the Cubs bullpen in spring training.