Jackson Kirkpatrick and Ethan Bell, two undrafted relief pitching prospects, have joined the Chicago Cubs (via Bleacher Nation). Kirkpatrick, a 6-foot-7 right-hander from Western Carolina University and the University of Indianapolis, is currently with the Chicago Cubs’ rookie-level team in the Arizona Complex League.
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.
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.
