Adbert Alzolay

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #6 prospect in 2021
  Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 55. Curveball: 50. Control: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Alzolay signed with the Cubs for just $10,000 when he was 17. He soared to Double-A in a breakout 2017 season, but injuries to his lat and biceps limited him the next two years. He still made his major league debut in 2019 and returned to the majors in 2020, where he posted a 2.96 ERA in six appearances.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alzolay added a two-seam fastball and slider to his repertoire in 2020, giving him five distinct pitches. His fastballs both range from 93-97 mph, with his riding four-seamer more effective than his fading two-seamer, and his mid-80s slider has become a dominant swing-and-miss pitch. He has both a vertical, late-breaking version of his slider and a sharp, horizontal one when he moves to more of a cutter grip. His changeup is an above-average pitch that runs away from lefties and his snapping, low-80s curveball is a solid offering that gets a lot of called strikes. Alzolay pounds the strike zone when he has a good pace, but his control and deception suffer when he rushes through his delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alzolay’s expanded pitch mix has solidified his future as part of the Cubs’ rotation. He should take his place there in 2021.
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #11 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Alzolay was a low-profile signing as a 17-year-old out of the Dominican Republic in 2012 but took huge strides forward at high Class A Myrtle Beach and Double-A Tennessee in 2017. After injuries blunted his progress in 2018, Alzolay recovered and made his big league debut on June 20, 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alzolay showed a three-pitch mix in 2019, fronted by a mid-90s fastball that can reach into the upper 90s as well. He backs it up with a high-70s curveball and a mid-80s changeup. He gets to his velocity from an effortful delivery, which sometimes leads to him overthrowing with command that will wander. He's got a strong makeup and the work ethic that will allow him to correct those issues and add polish as he continues to develop. The raw pieces are there—now it's a matter of learning how to best utilize what he has without trying to be something he's not. The Cubs have quickened Alzolay's delivery in the past to help him avoid overthinking on the mound.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alzolay will have a shot at a spot in the big league rotation in 2020. If he doesn't make it there, he could go back to Triple-A Iowa for more seasoning or carve out a spot in the bullpen.
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #6 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Alzolay was a fairly anonymous addition when the Cubs signed him as a 17-year-old, but he burst up the prospect rankings with a strong 2017 season split between high Class A Myrtle Beach and Double-A Tennessee. He achieved those results with a fastball that had jumped a grade--from the low to mid-90s--thanks to a commitment to the Cubs' throwing program and better incorporation of his lower half. He appeared on the cusp of the big leagues in 2018 before a lat injury halted his season.
  
  Scouting Report: Before the injury, Alzolay was continuing to build on the progress he made in 2017. He continued to show a mid-90s fastball and an average curveball in the low 80s and, to the Cubs' delight, had begun to show more feel for his changeup, which had ranked as a below-average pitch entering the season. He was still as aggressive on the mound as ever, and had ramped up his efforts to learn English and keep himself in peak physical shape. To accomplish the latter goal, he had taken to hiking Camelback Mountain on days off.
  
  The Future: Alzolay will head back to Triple-A Iowa with a goal of making his major league debut in 2019. He has the upside of a mid-rotation starter.
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #2 prospect in 2018
  Alzolay signed as a 17-year-old, and he's never been a priority prospect. He had his best year by far in 2017, finishing the year at Double-A Tennessee to emerge as the Cubs' most advanced pitcher with upside. A better fastball--up to a consistent 93-95 mph and touching 96, up from 91-92 last year--made Alzolay a better pitcher and better prospect. It started with a greater commitment to the club's throwing program, then continued with an improved delivery, drawing more power from his lower half. Alzolay always had shown the athleticism to repeat his delivery and pound the strike zone, but now he was beating hitters with his plus heater thanks to both its velocity and his in-charge, up-tempo pitching style. He locates his average low-80s curveball well enough to throw it for strikes when behind in the count, keeping hitters off his fastball. The Cubs are focused on helping his below-average changeup make progress. The lack of a second plus pitch to go with his fastball profiles Alzolay as a future No. 4 starter. A strong start would make him an early candidate for a 2018 callup if Chicago needs help either in the rotation or in the bullpen.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Carolina League #16 prospect in 2017
  An under-the-radar signing out of Venezuela in 2013, Alzolay has improved his delivery and rhythm over the past two seasons and saw better results this year at high Class A. He quickened his pace noticeably and started using his legs more in his delivery, and as a result he was able to sustain his mid-90s fastball throughout the duration of his outing. He coupled the pitch with an average curveball in the low 80s and a below-average changeup in the high 80s. Alzolay's quickened pace--he's one of the fastest-working pitchers you'll find in the minor leagues--has a twofold purpose. He doesn't want hitters to get a chance to think about what's coming next, and his coaches don't want him to get a chance to overthink things either. As a 6-foot righthander who doesn't generate a high groundball rate, he could be destined for the bullpen.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 55. Curveball: 50. Control: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Alzolay signed with the Cubs for just $10,000 when he was 17. He soared to Double-A in a breakout 2017 season, but injuries to his lat and biceps limited him the next two years. He still made his major league debut in 2019 and returned to the majors in 2020, where he posted a 2.96 ERA in six appearances.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alzolay added a two-seam fastball and slider to his repertoire in 2020, giving him five distinct pitches. His fastballs both range from 93-97 mph, with his riding four-seamer more effective than his fading two-seamer, and his mid-80s slider has become a dominant swing-and-miss pitch. He has both a vertical, late-breaking version of his slider and a sharp, horizontal one when he moves to more of a cutter grip. His changeup is an above-average pitch that runs away from lefties and his snapping, low-80s curveball is a solid offering that gets a lot of called strikes. Alzolay pounds the strike zone when he has a good pace, but his control and deception suffer when he rushes through his delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alzolay’s expanded pitch mix has solidified his future as part of the Cubs’ rotation. He should take his place there in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 55. Curveball: 50. Control: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Alzolay signed with the Cubs for just $10,000 when he was 17. He soared to Double-A in a breakout 2017 season, but injuries to his lat and biceps limited him the next two years. He still made his major league debut in 2019 and returned to the majors in 2020, where he posted a 2.96 ERA in six appearances.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alzolay added a two-seam fastball and slider to his repertoire in 2020, giving him five distinct pitches. His fastballs both range from 93-97 mph, with his riding four-seamer more effective than his fading two-seamer, and his mid-80s slider has become a dominant swing-and-miss pitch. He has both a vertical, late-breaking version of his slider and a sharp, horizontal one when he moves to more of a cutter grip. His changeup is an above-average pitch that runs away from lefties and his snapping, low-80s curveball is a solid offering that gets a lot of called strikes. Alzolay pounds the strike zone when he has a good pace, but his control and deception suffer when he rushes through his delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alzolay’s expanded pitch mix has solidified his future as part of the Cubs’ rotation. He should take his place there in 2021.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Alzolay was a low-profile signing as a 17-year-old out of the Dominican Republic in 2012 but took huge strides forward at high Class A Myrtle Beach and Double-A Tennessee in 2017. After injuries blunted his progress in 2018, Alzolay recovered and made his big league debut on June 20, 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alzolay showed a three-pitch mix in 2019, fronted by a mid-90s fastball that can reach into the upper 90s as well. He backs it up with a high-70s curveball and a mid-80s changeup. He gets to his velocity from an effortful delivery, which sometimes leads to him overthrowing with command that will wander. He’s got a strong makeup and the work ethic that will allow him to correct those issues and add polish as he continues to develop. The raw pieces are there—now it’s a matter of learning how to best utilize what he has without trying to be something he’s not. The Cubs have quickened Alzolay’s delivery in the past to help him avoid overthinking on the mound.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alzolay will have a shot at a spot in the big league rotation in 2020. If he doesn’t make it there, he could go back to Triple-A Iowa for more seasoning or carve out a spot in the bullpen.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Alzolay was a low-profile signing as a 17-year-old out of the Dominican Republic in 2012 but took huge strides forward at high Class A Myrtle Beach and Double-A Tennessee in 2017. After injuries blunted his progress in 2018, Alzolay recovered and made his big league debut on June 20, 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alzolay showed a three-pitch mix in 2019, fronted by a mid-90s fastball that can reach into the upper 90s as well. He backs it up with a high-70s curveball and a mid-80s changeup. He gets to his velocity from an effortful delivery, which sometimes leads to him overthrowing with command that will wander. He's got a strong makeup and the work ethic that will allow him to correct those issues and add polish as he continues to develop. The raw pieces are there—now it's a matter of learning how to best utilize what he has without trying to be something he's not. The Cubs have quickened Alzolay's delivery in the past to help him avoid overthinking on the mound.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alzolay will have a shot at a spot in the big league rotation in 2020. If he doesn't make it there, he could go back to Triple-A Iowa for more seasoning or carve out a spot in the bullpen.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Alzolay was very close to a big league callup before a strained lat muscle ended his season in late May. He showed the same dynamic three-pitch mix that helped him rush up the Cubs top prospect list after last season, and was working at Triple-A to iron out his fastball command. The organization particularly praises his dedication to improving and keeping himself in peak physical condition.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Alzolay signed as a 17-year-old, and he's never been a priority prospect. He had his best year by far in 2017, finishing the year at Double-A Tennessee to emerge as the Cubs' most advanced pitcher with upside. Scouting Report: A better fastball--up to a consistent 93-95 mph and touching 96--made Alzolay a better pitcher and better prospect. It started with a greater commitment to the club's throwing program, then continued with an improved delivery, drawing more power from his lower half. Alzolay always had shown the athleticism to repeat his delivery and pound the strike zone, but now he was beating hitters with his plus heater thanks to both its velocity and his up-tempo pitching style. He locates his average low-80s curveball well enough to throw it for strikes when behind in the count. The Cubs are focused on helping his below-average changeup make progress. The Future: The lack of a second plus pitch to go with his fastball profiles Alzolay as a future No. 4 starter. A strong start would make him an early candidate for a 2018 callup if Chicago needs help either in the rotation or in the bullpen.