Minor League Prospect Notes: Chris Rusin, LHP, Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are expected to promote pitching prospect Chris Rusin to the major league roster tomorrow, to take the start against the Milwaukee Brewers. Rusin is 8-8 in 24 starts for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, with a 4.59 ERA and an 87/52 K/BB ratio in 133 innings, with 142 hits allowed and a 1.44 GO/AO. That's not great but it isn't that bad for the Pacific Coast League, where he ranks 14th in the league in ERA.
Rusin was drafted in the fourth round in 2009 from the University of Kentucky, where he was a member of the starting rotation for four seasons. He was very effective in the low minors, but has been knocked around occasionally in Triple-A, where he has a career 4.41 ERA in 196 innings, with a 133/66 K/BB ratio and 212 hits and 24 homers allowed. Again, that's not terrible given the park/league environment, but it's not exactly good, either.
Rusin can get into the low-90s but I've also seen his fastball as low as 85-86. He mixes in a curveball, cutter, and changeup, with command being a better attribute for him than pure stuff. He can be tough on left-handed hitters, but right-handers usually see him well. Overall I think he's a fifth starter or southpaw bullpen arm.
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