The Chicago Cubs have added two undrafted relief pitching prospects to the organization: Jackson Kirkpatrick and Ethan Bell (h/t Bleacher Nation). Kirkpatrick, assigned to the Chicago Cubs’ rookie-level affiliate in the Arizona Complex League, is a 6-foot-7 right-hander from Western Carolina University and the University of Indianapolis.
Despite struggling during his collegiate career with a 1-3 record, a 10.23 ERA, a 2.432 WHIP, and 14.3 BB/9, he still has plenty of upside. He regularly throws a mid-to-high 90s fastball with 17.5 inches of vertical break and has also approached triple digits with that four-seamer. His 15.8 K/9 rate indicates serious untapped potential, and he will be a fun project if he can resolve his command issues.
6’7″ RHP Jackson Kirkpatrick sat 96-97, touching 97.8 with 17.5″ of VB, a gyro SL, and a split. pic.twitter.com/rwxiKysY75 — Ben Brewster (@TreadAthletics) January 12, 2025 Coming off an offseason of training at Tread Athletics, the former home of current Chicago pitching guru and special assistant Tyler Zombro, Kirkpatrick joins a group of notable MLB arms who have trained there in the past, including Cole Ragans, Mitch Keller, and Tanner Scott.
Bell, a 6-foot-1 right-hander from St. Louis University, went 7-4 with a 4.76 ERA and a respectable 11.8 K/9 from 2023-24. He will join Kirkpatrick in the ACL, and while his fastball velocity is unlikely to top the mid-90s, he incorporates an intriguing gyro slider.
Here is a look at Bell during his time at the MLB Draft League: Ethan Bell #YouHaveToSeeIt The @Cubs are signing Ethan Bell (@ethanbell44, @mvscrappers ’24) to a minor league contract! MV: 9 G, 5.73 ERA, 11 IP, 9 K, 3 GF pic.twitter.com/jbLRRHPxR0 — MLB Draft League (@mlbdraftleague) February 20, 2025 Both signings are low-risk moves with plenty of upside. While it is unlikely they develop into serious weapons for the team, taking a shot on a pair of 23-year-olds makes sense. These moves also demonstrate the Cubs’ willingness to go beyond conventional means of acquiring prospects.
