Getting to Know Cubs Draft Pick: Brooks Caple |
After going position-heavy, with seven of their first eight picks coming from the position ranks, the Chicago Cubs finally dug back into the pitching ranks in hopes of finding a mid-round steal. Brooks Caple got the call as the Cubs selected him as No. 272 overall.
The former Lamar University (TX) right-hander is an imposing figure on the mound, standing at 6-6 and weighing 230 pounds. The Cubs are hoping that frame can help aid in his development, as there is a ton to like about this kid and his overall potential on the mound. A second-team all-conference player in 2023, Caple went 5-0 that season across 15 games (11 starts) and posted a solid 3.19 ERA across 59 1/3 innings. He walked 16 and struck out 50 while holding opponents to a .229 batting average. Looking to build on that in 2024, Caple came out and delivered, which the Cubs hope can continue once he reaches pro ball. Across his 15 starts this season, Caple was as reliable as ever, going 7-3 and posting a 2.40 ERA across 97 2/3 innings. He walked 27 and punched out 102, drastically increasing his strikeout numbers this season. Before arriving at Lamar, Caple was part of the Stephen F. Austin staff, where he also had some solid seasons. Throughout his entire collegiate career, Caple saw action in 62 games (27 starts) and posted a combined 12-7 mark with a 3.22 ERA over 201 innings of work. He walked 66 and struck out 211 hitters during that time as command has never been an issue for him. Caple has some experience in wood bat leagues pitching during the summer along with his collegiate success. Whether it be Sioux Falls or Perceville, Caple was active during the summer. He appeared in 18 games (15 starts) across two summer seasons, going 3-7 in those games. His 5.99 ERA is certainly a concern, as is his 48 walk-to-82 strikeout ratio. Whatever he was doing during the summer wasn't working, as he looked like a completely different pitcher during the college season. That is the pitcher the Cubs are hoping they are getting here, as he has shown plenty of growth and improvement in each of the last three seasons. Known as another one of those famous big Texans when it comes to pitchers, Caple doesn't throw as hard as some would think, but he consistently touches 94 MPH with his heater. Given his size, that heater has room for growth, which could gain an additional 2-3 MPH with time. While his velocity may not be what most fans like about his game, there is one aspect that the Cubs are going to be banking on, which is his elite spin rate on the ball. According to baseball metrics, Caple has some of the best spins on his heater in this year's class and is a strike thrower. The Cubs have a knack for getting guys with good spin rates into their pitching lab and working with them, and this is another classic case of that. Not only does he throw a ton of strikes, indicated by his overall strikeout-to-walk ratio, but he does a great job of keeping the ball in the yard, allowing just eight homers in almost 100 innings that season. He will need to keep that trend up at the professional level if he wants to move up through the Cubs system. Anytime you have a pitcher with a 6-6 frame, the velocity potential is the first thing many teams look at, but Caple has a downhill angle for his release and creates good extension. Not only does that make the baseball challenging to pick up at times, but it also helps generate the elite spin rates he can create, making some pitches look faster or slower than they are. Along with his fastball, which can touch 95 with a decent rise to it, Caple has started to use his 87 MPH slider much more and has really good command of that pitch. His command of that slider was so good in 2024 that it became his out pitch and dominated some of the best hitters he saw this season. You will also get an occasional changeup mixed in as Caple is trying to become a three-pitch guy to have the most success. End 6| Brooks Caple had five K's entering the sixth. He ends the inning with eight. Three K's in the sixth to keep the Privateers at base. #WeAreLU pic.twitter.com/OPb1WMNHvU
