The Cubs have called up their 2008 #1 draft choice Andrew Cashner. Though a starter in the minors, he'll be heading to the bullpen, taking over the spot left vacant by Carlos Zambrano, who's moving back to the rotation.
Lou went right to the rookie, letting him pitch in yesterday's game against the Pirates. He had about as easy a debut as a pitcher can have. It was all of one pitch to ex-Cubs prospect failure, Ronnie Cedeno. Cedeno swung at the first pitch, flew out for the third out, and Cashner's debut was over.
I've seen people question the move to put Cashner in the bullpen. But I like it. Back in the day, the pen is where all pitchers broke in. They would get some experience under their belt first and then gradually move into the rotation.
When Fergie Jenkins came to the Cubs in 1966, he spent most of the season in the bullpen. In fact, he made 49 appearances from April - late August as a reliever (with two spot starts). He was placed in the rotation on August 28 and made nine starts, posting a 4-2 record.
Casher is the second Cub prospect in a month to make his MLB debut. I'm hoping he has the same success that Starlin Castro has had. That would be a welcome change for us fans who are used to highly touted prospects that flop, guys like Corey Patterson, Hee Seop Choi, Felix Pie, Rich Hill, Jeff Spellcheck, and the list goes on.
And now that he is in the majors, I made a big boy card for Cashner.
I like the big boy card :)
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