Prospect Profile: Cubs Might Have Big Plans for Chase Strumpf

Chase Strumpf perplexes me. 

It is not in a bad way, either. Here he is, a key cog for a UCLA team that was ranked #1 most of the 2019 NCAA season, a second round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, and a Northwest League All-Star, hitting .324 with a .437 OBP at the break. He has shown power, patience, and professionalism at the plate in 20+ games.

Yes, it’s true that Strumpf did not have the best of seasons this spring. He got off to a poor start but finished strong. He slipped from a late first round pick to a late second round where the Cubs gladly took him. And they might have gotten a steal. 

I am having the same feeling watching Strumpf this year as I did last year watching Joey Bart, San Francisco’s top pick and the #2 pick overall, just destroy the NWL 45 games last summer. The Giants deemed that playing for Salem-Keizer was best for Bart’s development. The Cubs look like they are doing the same for Strumpf. 

With less than 3 weeks left in the regular season, sending Strumpf to South Bend for 2+ weeks is not going to dramatically improve Strumpf’s ability in the batter’s box. In fact, South Bend might not be in Strumpf’s future at all. Hence, that is why he is still in Eugene learning to maximize his skills. He might be good enough to go straight to high A Myrtle Beach next spring

At least that is what I am telling myself. 

This video helps.

Chase Strumpf is finding his groove. pic.twitter.com/b6spXAadq5

— Itsacon (@thats_so_cub) July 8, 2019

After spending 2018 in Salem-Keizer, Joey Bart went to spring training and got shipped out to high A San Jose in the California League. It is a common occurrence in other organizations but not so much for the Cubs. Although, former Cub pitching prospect Paul Richan did make the jump this year along with Luke Reynolds and Grant Fennell this spring.

After watching 5 former teammates, including 3 fellow draftees get the call to Indiana before him, Strumpf could fly over them to warm South Carolina next year while those guys will be at freezing South Bend to begin the year. For Strumpf, the Cubs are giving off the impression that there is no need to rush him up the organizational ladder this year. And that’s really the key – this year. 

MLB Pipeline plopped him at #10 in their latest top 30 Cubs prospect list. Here is their description of his possible future. “Using a compact right-handed swing, he controls the strike zone and barrels the ball exceedingly well. He’s geared more for line-drive contact, but he has the bat speed and hitting ability to produce 15-20 homers per year.” They see plenty of potential in his bat and that is not in question.

I'm just here for the Chase Strumpf highlights. pic.twitter.com/1T9a5T0OQc

— Itsacon (@thats_so_cub) July 9, 2019

There’s no shortage of love for his skills. Baseball America also ranked him very high at #7 on their top 30 list. They even broached the subject of him playing SS, where he started his college career. Then again, his bat plays better at second. 

If Strumpf does go straight to Myrtle Beach next year, it will answer all my questions about why he stayed in Eugene this summer and why he did not go to South Bend after having clearly shown the NWL he belongs at a higher level. And it might answer yours, too.