Promising Cubs Prospect Off to Rocky Start in Arizona Fall League
On a sunny Wednesday afternoon in Scottsdale, Arizona, Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Nick Hull made his second start of the Arizona Fall League.
In his first start, Hull cruised through the game's first three innings, allowing just one man to reach base, facing only nine batters. Then, in the fourth inning, he hit a snag, allowing five runs off two walks, one hit batsman, two hits, and a home run.
Hull's struggles carried over into Wednesday's game, as the 24 year-old surrendered five runs to the Scottsdale Scorpions during the game's first two innings.
He allowed a double to Scorpions' leadoff hitter Oliver Dunn, before walking Gabriel Rincones Jr. and giving up a three-run homer to Israel Pineda.
The Cubs' prospect allowed two more runs in the second inning, walking Reggie Crawford and giving up a two-run bomb to Rincones Jr.
Through two Fall League starts, Hull has allowed 10 earned runs off eight hits and five walks across 7 2/3 innings, good for an 11.25 ERA and a 1.806 WHIP.
Even thought he's struggled through his first two starts, it's still very early, and he has plenty of time to find his footing.
Chicago selected Hull out of Grand Canyon University in the seventh round of the 2022 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. He posted a 7-1 record and 3.72 ERA across 16 starts in his senior season at GCU.
Hull spent the majority of the 2023 season at Single-A Myrtle Beach, but after striking out 77 batters in 18 games, the GCU product earned a promotion to High-A South Bend in mid-August. The 24-year-old finished the year strong, logging a 3.24 ERA and 0.900 WHIP over six games and 16 2/3 IP with the South Bend Cubs.
Though Hull didn't get off to a great start Wednesday, the right-hander eventually found his groove. He retired six of the final seven batters that he faced before hitting his pitch count in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Hull wasn't the only Cubs prospect to see game action Wednesday. He was succeeded by South Bend Cubs teammate Tyler Santana, who pitched three perfect frames, allowing no runs, no hits and no walks, with two strikeouts.
Top prospect Kevin Alcantara (No. 71 on MLB Pipeline) crushed a three-run homer in the top of the seventh inning. It was his second home run of the fall.
Infield prospect James Triantos continued to impress, delivering an RBI triple. His OPS is now up to 1.221, as he sports a .400 Batting Average in the Fall League.
Outfield prospect Christian Franklin enjoyed a three-hit day, improving his BA to .317 and his OPS to .771
