technical details
  1. is_video => true
  2. alias => "chicago\/\/cubs\/cubs-2020-roster-outlook-how-adbert-alzolay-can-build-2019-debut"
  3. nid => "833951"
  4. title => "Cubs 2020 roster outlook: How Adbert Alzolay can build off 2019 debut"
  5. is_chrome_page => true
  6. article_body => "<p><em>Each day in March, NBC Sports Chicago is previewing one player from the Cubs\u2019 expected 2020 Opening Day roster. With four bullpen roles still up for grabs, let's pivot&nbsp;to pitcher Adbert Alzolay, who will join the club at some point this season.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>2019 recap<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Alzolay&nbsp;made&nbsp;his MLB debut last summer as one of the more high-profile pitching prospects during Theo Epstein\u2019s tenure in Chicago. The 25-year-old&nbsp;made&nbsp;four appearances (two starts),&nbsp;delivering an up-and-down performance.<\/p>\n<p>In 12 1\/3 innings, Alzolay allowed 10 earned runs on 13 hits and nine walks. A bulk of that damage came in a start on July 1 against the&nbsp;Pittsburgh Pirates when&nbsp;he surrendered seven earned runs on 10 hits in 2 2\/3 innings.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Expectations for this season\u2019s role<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Cubs reassigned Alzolay to minor league camp on March 10. He was in the mix for the final rotation spot, but that&nbsp;competition is now down to&nbsp;Tyler Chatwood and Alec Mills.<\/p>\n<p>Alzolay will start the year in Triple-A Iowa\u2019s rotation, which allows him to stretch out and build up arm strength. He missed most of 2018 with a lat strain and the first month of 2019 with another. His career-high for innings is 120 1\/3 (2016 in Single-A), so there will be&nbsp;innings limitations for him this season.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ll see Alzolay on the North Side at some point in 2020, likely in a relief role where he can eat up innings and matchup versus righties and lefties. He could make a few spot starts as well.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2020 outlook&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Improvement for Alzolay lies in better results from his four-seam fastball. MLB opponents hit .385\/.515\/.808 against it last season compared to&nbsp;.154\/.313\/.385 against his curveball and .091\/.091\/.091 against his changeup.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Alzolay told&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/sports\/cubs\/ct-chicago-cubs-adbert-alzolay-20200207-lnkbhgkmwzfofeop4ywe3ta6q4-story.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1585068744763000&amp;usg=AFQjCNEQq6xLgiu4AiHmRGQSBUsawO08MA\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/sports\/cubs\/ct-chicago-cubs-adbert-alzolay-20200207-lnkbhgkmwzfofeop4ywe3ta6q4-story.html\" target=\"_blank\">the Chicago Tribune\u2019s Mark Gonzales<\/a>&nbsp;that&nbsp;he&nbsp;sometimes&nbsp;loses feel for his changeup and has been working on it this offseason. His curveball is his go-to out pitch&nbsp;(30.8 putaway percentage last season),&nbsp;but opponents can sit fastball if he isn\u2019t fooling them with the change.<\/p>\n<p>Throwing an effective changeup more frequently will make Alzolay more deceptive and keep hitters off balance. If he finds success with all three of his pitches, David Ross can use him in a variety of roles out of the bullpen,&nbsp;building&nbsp;towards a full-time rotation role in 2021.<\/p>\n<h3><em>The complete roster outlook series:<\/em><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/ross-ter-rundown-cubs-hoping-kris-bryant-stabilizes-leadoff-spot-2020\" target=\"_blank\">1. Cubs hoping Kris Bryant stabilizes leadoff spot in 2020<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/ross-ter-rundown-kyle-hendricks-steady-force-cubs-rotation\" target=\"_blank\">2.&nbsp;Kyle Hendricks is a steady force in the Cubs' rotation<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/ross-ter-rundown-kyle-schwarber-primed-breakout-2020-season\" target=\"_blank\">3. Kyle Schwarber is primed for a breakout 2020 season<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/ross-ter-rundown-tyler-chatwood-has-chance-rewrite-script-2020\" target=\"_blank\">4. Tyler Chatwood has chance to rewrite the script in 2020<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/ross-ter-rundown-david-bote-searching-more-offensive-consistency-2020\" target=\"_blank\">5.&nbsp;David Bote searching for more offensive consistency in 2020<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/ross-ter-rundown-one-pitch-could-hold-key-jose-quintanas-2020-success\" target=\"_blank\">6.&nbsp;One pitch could hold key to Jose Quintana's 2020 success<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/ross-ter-rundown-albert-almora-jr-looking-to-rebound-behind-new-swing-refreshed-mental-state\" target=\"_blank\">7. Albert Almora Jr. looking to rebound behind new swing, refreshed mental state<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/ross-ter-rundown-cubs-counting-bounce-back-season-craig-kimbrel\" target=\"_blank\">8.&nbsp;Cubs counting on bounce back season from Craig Kimbrel<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/ross-ter-rundown-javier-baez-indispensable-and-best-yet-come\" target=\"_blank\">9.&nbsp;Javier B\u00e1ez is indispensable, and the best is yet to come<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/cubs-2020-roster-outlook-new-pitch-key-rowan-wick-staving-regression\" target=\"_blank\">10. New pitch key to Rowan Wick staving off regression<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/cubs-2020-roster-outlook-new-mlb-rule-gives-victor-caratini-chance-bigger-role\" target=\"_blank\">11.&nbsp;New MLB rule gives Victor Caratini chance for bigger role<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/cubs-2020-roster-outlook-daniel-descalso-can-only-improve-last-season\" target=\"_blank\">12.&nbsp;Daniel Descalso can only improve from last season<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/cubs-2020-roster-outlook-ian-happ-poised-claim-starting-center-field-job\" target=\"_blank\">13.&nbsp;Ian Happ poised to claim starting center field job<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/cubs-2020-roster-outlook-jeremy-jeffress-can-bounce-back-chicago\" target=\"_blank\">14.&nbsp;Jeremy Jeffress can bounce back in Chicago<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/cubs-2020-roster-outlook-lineup-adjustment-could-be-key-jason-heywards-success\" target=\"_blank\">15.&nbsp;Lineup adjustment could be key to Jason Heyward's success<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/cubs-2020-roster-outlook-anthony-rizzo-remains-all-around-rock-chicago\" target=\"_blank\">16.&nbsp;Anthony Rizzo remains an all-around rock for Chicago<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/cubs-2020-roster-outlook-kyle-ryans-versatility-key-uncertain-bullpen\" target=\"_blank\">17.&nbsp;Kyle Ryan's versatility key in uncertain bullpen<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/cubs-2020-roster-outlook-now-not-time-write-jon-lester\" target=\"_blank\">18. Now is not the time to write off Jon Lester<\/a>&nbsp;<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/cubs-2020-roster-outlook-willson-contreras-health-critical-teams-success\" target=\"_blank\">19.&nbsp;Willson Contreras' health is critical to team's success<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/cubs-2020-roster-outlook-how-alec-mills-fits-opening-day-roster\" target=\"_blank\">20. How Alec Mills fits on Opening Day roster<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/cubs-2020-roster-outlook-steven-souza-jr-could-provide-needed-boost-vs-lefties\" target=\"_blank\">21.&nbsp;Steven Souza Jr. could provide needed boost vs. lefties<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/cubs-2020-roster-outlook-how-covid-19-hiatus-could-impact-nico-hoerners-trajectory\" target=\"_blank\">22.&nbsp;How COVID-19 hiatus could impact Nico Hoerner's trajectory<\/a><\/p>\n<em><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/2PxAcKd\">Click here<\/a> to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of the Chicago <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\">Cubs<\/a> easily on your device.<\/em> \n"
  7. author => "Tim Stebbins"
  8. mps => {"author":"Tim Stebbins","league":"","sport":"","sponsor":""}
  9. published => "1584985200"
  10. created => "1584985143"
  11. changed => "1584987292"
  12. status => "1"
  13. hero_image_credit => "USA TODAY"
  14. tags => [{"tid":"10551","name":"MLB","url":"tags\/mlb"},{"tid":"45706","name":"Ross-ter rundown","url":"tags\/ross-ter-rundown"},{"tid":"1881","name":"Chicago Cubs","url":"chicago-cubs"},{"tid":"31571","name":"Adbert Alzolay","url":"tags\/adbert-alzolay"}]
  15. section => "Cubs"
  16. team => "Chicago Cubs"
  17. image => {"uri":"public:\/\/archive\/assets_article\/chicago\/2020\/03\/23\/03-23_adbert_alzolay_1920x1080_1714651715708.jpg","alt":"03-23_adbert_alzolay_1920x1080_1714651715708.jpg","title":"Cubs 2020 Roster, Adbert Alzolay"}
  18. video_url => "https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/video\/cubs-2020-roster-adbert-alzolay"
  19. is_mediaid => true
  20. mediaid => "xrBo7ZMRu2yk"
  21. video_autoplay => true
  22. video_automute => false
  23. mpx_account_id => "BxmELC"
  24. player_id => "chicago_article"
  25. chrome_data => "{\"league\":\"\",\"sport\":\"\",\"sponsor\":\"\"}"
  26. sponsor => "Cubs Insiders"
  27. region => "chicago"
  28. fb_url => "https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dialog\/share?app_id=330072974228200&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fchicago%2Fcubs%2Fcubs-2020-roster-outlook-how-adbert-alzolay-can-build-2019-debut&display=popup"
  29. tw_url => "https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Cubs%202020%20roster%20outlook%3A%20How%20Adbert%20Alzolay%20can%20build%20off%202019%20debut&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fchicago%2Fcubs%2Fcubs-2020-roster-outlook-how-adbert-alzolay-can-build-2019-debut&original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fchicago%2Fcubs%2Fcubs-2020-roster-outlook-how-adbert-alzolay-can-build-2019-debut"
  30. mailto => "mailto:?subject=Cubs%202020%20roster%20outlook%3A%20How%20Adbert%20Alzolay%20can%20build%20off%202019%20debut&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fchicago%2Fcubs%2Fcubs-2020-roster-outlook-how-adbert-alzolay-can-build-2019-debut"
  31. tags_hide => []
  32. type => "article"
  33. meta => {"file":"\/mnt\/gfs\/rsnunited\/sites\/default\/files\/archive\/article\/chicago\/cubs\/cubs-2020-roster-outlook-how-adbert-alzolay-can-build-2019-debut.json","assets":["public:\/\/archive\/assets_article\/chicago\/2020\/03\/23\/03-23_adbert_alzolay_1920x1080_1714651715708.jpg"]}
  34. orig_image => {"uri":"public:\/\/2020\/03\/23\/03-23_adbert_alzolay_1920x1080_1714651715708.jpg","alt":"03-23_adbert_alzolay_1920x1080_1714651715708.jpg","title":"Cubs 2020 Roster, Adbert Alzolay"}
  35. article_type => "article"
Cubs

Presented By Cubs Insiders
Cubs

Each day in March, NBC Sports Chicago is previewing one player from the Cubs’ expected 2020 Opening Day roster. With four bullpen roles still up for grabs, let's pivot to pitcher Adbert Alzolay, who will join the club at some point this season.

2019 recap

Alzolay made his MLB debut last summer as one of the more high-profile pitching prospects during Theo Epstein’s tenure in Chicago. The 25-year-old made four appearances (two starts), delivering an up-and-down performance.

In 12 1/3 innings, Alzolay allowed 10 earned runs on 13 hits and nine walks. A bulk of that damage came in a start on July 1 against the Pittsburgh Pirates when he surrendered seven earned runs on 10 hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Expectations for this season’s role

The Cubs reassigned Alzolay to minor league camp on March 10. He was in the mix for the final rotation spot, but that competition is now down to Tyler Chatwood and Alec Mills.

Alzolay will start the year in Triple-A Iowa’s rotation, which allows him to stretch out and build up arm strength. He missed most of 2018 with a lat strain and the first month of 2019 with another. His career-high for innings is 120 1/3 (2016 in Single-A), so there will be innings limitations for him this season. 

We’ll see Alzolay on the North Side at some point in 2020, likely in a relief role where he can eat up innings and matchup versus righties and lefties. He could make a few spot starts as well.

 

2020 outlook 

Improvement for Alzolay lies in better results from his four-seam fastball. MLB opponents hit .385/.515/.808 against it last season compared to .154/.313/.385 against his curveball and .091/.091/.091 against his changeup. 

Alzolay told the Chicago Tribune’s Mark Gonzales that he sometimes loses feel for his changeup and has been working on it this offseason. His curveball is his go-to out pitch (30.8 putaway percentage last season), but opponents can sit fastball if he isn’t fooling them with the change.

Throwing an effective changeup more frequently will make Alzolay more deceptive and keep hitters off balance. If he finds success with all three of his pitches, David Ross can use him in a variety of roles out of the bullpen, building towards a full-time rotation role in 2021.

The complete roster outlook series:

1. Cubs hoping Kris Bryant stabilizes leadoff spot in 2020
2. Kyle Hendricks is a steady force in the Cubs' rotation
3. Kyle Schwarber is primed for a breakout 2020 season
4. Tyler Chatwood has chance to rewrite the script in 2020
5. David Bote searching for more offensive consistency in 2020
6. One pitch could hold key to Jose Quintana's 2020 success
7. Albert Almora Jr. looking to rebound behind new swing, refreshed mental state
8. Cubs counting on bounce back season from Craig Kimbrel
9. Javier Báez is indispensable, and the best is yet to come
10. New pitch key to Rowan Wick staving off regression
11. New MLB rule gives Victor Caratini chance for bigger role
12. Daniel Descalso can only improve from last season
13. Ian Happ poised to claim starting center field job
14. Jeremy Jeffress can bounce back in Chicago
15. Lineup adjustment could be key to Jason Heyward's success
16. Anthony Rizzo remains an all-around rock for Chicago
17. Kyle Ryan's versatility key in uncertain bullpen
18. Now is not the time to write off Jon Lester 
19. Willson Contreras' health is critical to team's success
20. How Alec Mills fits on Opening Day roster
21. Steven Souza Jr. could provide needed boost vs. lefties
22. How COVID-19 hiatus could impact Nico Hoerner's trajectory

Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of the Chicago Cubs easily on your device.