Trey McNutt

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #24 prospect in 2013
  McNutt looked like a 32nd-round draft steal when he dealt two plus-plus pitches early in his first full year as a pro. But he hasn't shown the same stuff since and stalled since reaching Double-A at the end of 2010. The Cubs gave up on trying to make him a starter midway through 2012. Working in shorter stints gave a boost to McNutt's fastball, which now sits at 94-95 mph. He always has thrown both a curveball and a slider, each of which could be devastating at its best, but he focused more on the slider when coming out of the bullpen. He doesn't have to worry any longer about trying to develop his changeup. McNutt has had recurring blisters on the index finger of his pitching hand, which contribute to his subpar control and command. He has the mental toughness to work the late innings, but he'll be better suited for the sixth or seventh until he can throw more strikes. The Cubs saw enough in him to protect him on their 40-man roster after the season. McNutt's new role may be his ticket to Triple-A in 2013.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #4 prospect in 2012
  A 32nd-round steal who fell through the cracks in the 2009 draft, McNutt reached Double-A in his first full pro season but symbolized the Cubs' system-wide pitching woes in his second. Between blisters on two fingers, bruised ribs sustained in an infield collision and bad luck with rain, he worked just 26 innings from mid-May to mid-July. Even when healthy, he battled his command and consistency. McNutt can hit 98 mph with his fastball, though he gets more life and locates it better when he works at 92-94. His power breaking ball, which breaks more like a curveball and has slider velocity, can be equally as devastating. He could use an offspeed pitch to keep hitters off balance, and his changeup is just a work in progress. He needs to worry about working down in the zone rather than trying to blow the ball by hitters. McNutt remained inconsistent in the Arizona Fall League, and he could wind up as a late-inning reliever if he can't improve his changeup and command. If it all comes together, he could be a No. 2 starter, similar to what Chicago hopes for from 2008 first-rounder Andrew Cashner. Ticketed for a return to Tennessee, McNutt could finish 2012 in the majors.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #3 prospect in 2011
  When their Alabama area scout quit early in 2009, the Cubs decided not to replace him. So while other teams saw McNutt work in the high 80s at the start of Shelton State (Ala.) CC's season and backed off, Chicago didn't catch him until the Junior College World Series in June, when he showed a 90-93 mph fastball. After he turned down an eighth-round offer from the Twins, he slid all the way to 32nd round, where the Cubs signed him for $115,000. His stuff has continued to improve, propelling him to Double- A in his first full pro season. When he's going good, McNutt has two plus-plus pitches. Though his fastball comes in on a bit of a flat plane, he blows it by hitters at 92-98 mph. He can neutralize lefthanders by pitching to their back foot with his power breaking ball, which is more of a curveball than a slider. Once McNutt uses his changeup more, it should become an average third pitch. He's stingy with walks but sometimes lapses into overthrowing, costing him command. Ticketed for a return trip to Double-A, McNutt has a profile similar to that of Andrew Cashner and Chris Archer. All three have the stuff to pitch at the front of a rotation or close games.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #16 prospect in 2010
  Strange as it may sound, the Cubs benefited when their area scout for Alabama quit and they decided not to replace him. While other teams saw McNutt throw in the high 80s as as a freshman for Shelton State (Ala.) CC early last spring and moved on, Chicago didn't get its first look at him until the Junior College World Series, where he threw 90-93 mph despite getting knocked around by eventual champion Howard (Texas). After McNutt turned down an eighth-round offer from the Twins, he slid all the way to the 32nd round. The Cubs saw him reach the mid-90s in summer ball and signed him at the end of June for $115,000. They compare the big, strong, athletic righthander to a lesser version of Andrew Cashner. McNutt's fastball has climbed as high as 96 mph and features late riding action. His power curveball projects as a second plus pitch, and he has the makings of a good changeup. McNutt needs to cut down on his walks, but he dominated hitters in his pro debut. The 980th player drafted in 2009 looks like a steal, and the Cubs are looking forward to seeing how he fares in Class A this season.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Midwest League #7 prospect in 2010
  While the first six players on this list signed for seven-figure bonuses, the Cubs stole the late-blooming McNutt in the 32nd round of the 2009 draft for $115,000. He showed two plus-plus pitches while reaching Double-A and going 10-1, 2.48 in his first full pro season. McNutt has a 92-98 mph fastball, and though it could use more downward plane, he can blow it by hitters up in the strike zone. He had a power breaking ball that resembles a slider more than a curve, diving down and in on lefthanders when it's at its best. He doesn't use his changeup much, but his arm action is promising. McNutt can lapse into being more of a thrower than pitcher. He'll overthrow and lose command at times, and he needs to learn to add and subtract from his pitches more often. At worst, though, he already has the stuff to become a closer.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #48 prospect in 2011

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: A 32nd-round steal who fell through the cracks in the 2009 draft, McNutt reached Double-A in his first full pro season but symbolized the Cubs' system-wide pitching woes in his second. Between blisters on two fingers, bruised ribs sustained in an infield collision and bad luck with rain, he worked just 26 innings from mid-May to mid-July. Even when healthy, he battled his command and consistency. Scouting Report: McNutt can hit 98 mph with his fastball, though he gets more life and locates it better when he works at 92-94. His power breaking ball, which breaks more like a curveball and has slider velocity, can be equally as devastating. He could use an offspeed pitch to keep hitters off balance, and his changeup is just a work in progress. He needs to worry about working down in the zone rather than trying to blow the ball by hitters. The Future: McNutt remained inconsistent in the Arizona Fall League, and he could wind up as a late-inning reliever if he can't improve his changeup and command. If it all comes together, he could be a No. 2 starter, similar to what Chicago hopes for from 2008 first-rounder Andrew Cashner. Ticketed for a return to Tennessee, McNutt could finish 2012 in the majors.