Cade

Townsend

Townsend receives a below-slot deal for $3.1 million after being taken 23rd overall by Chicago earlier this month. The 21-year-old instantly becomes one of the club’s better pitching prospects after a strong collegiate career at Mississippi State.

The Cubs have not been aggressive in selecting pitchers over the past few drafts, but they get a (potentially) good one in Townsend. The right-hander generates tremendous spin on his fastball, and he can throw the kitchen sink at teams with three above-average secondary offerings. The command needs work and he might have some issue against left-handed pitching, but everything is here for Townsend to be a mid-rotation starter who could pitch closer to the top of a staff if he throws more quality strikes.