(Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
Rather than as an answer for the Cubs, Duane Underwood Jr. was a major issue.
One of the most glaring shortcomings of the Theo Epstein regime has been an inability to develop homegrown pitching. The Chicago Cubs have instead had to rely on free agent signings and trades to piece together a pitching staff around their core of position players.
That’s not for a lack of trying. One such example is right-hander Duane Underwood Jr., the team’s second-round pick from the 2012 draft. Chicago selected him straight out of high school, hoping for a big arm that could play a key role as the team turned the corner and became a contender.