When I picked six not-so-obvious Cubs pitching prospects to watch for the 2019 season, I didn’t realize just how quickly one of them would be very obvious. Atop the list was Riley Thompson, an 11th round pick out of Louisville last summer who could be named the Cubs minor league pitcher of the month for April. He made four starts (19 IP) with a 1.42 ERA, striking out 16 and walking only five (four of which came in his last start).
Thompson had served as Louisville’s closer, logging just seven starts. His 6+ ERA during his junior year didn’t really bode well for his success as a pro, but Thompson was still developing and the Cubs picked him based on potential.