Cubs Draft Sleeper? Colton Book’s 2025 breakout turns heads |
Dustin Riese
· · 20 hours ago
Once the Cubs moved away from the outfield corps and started to focus on pitching in the MLB draft, the selections began to increase as the Cubs didn't waste any time adding a plethora of arms to their organization. At one point, the Cubs selected four straight pitchers, and only three non-pitchers were drafted in the fifth round or later, as pitching depth is a key to any organization's long-term success.
The Cubs continued their run of pitching selections in round nine when they took Saint Joseph's left-hander Colton Book with pick No. 271. As was the case with a lot of the Cubs pitching selections, they focused on experience just as much as the overall success they had on the mound. Granted, Book entered the draft following his junior season. It was a strong junior season, nonetheless, as he was an Atlantic 10 Conference award winner. Listed at 6-4 and 210 pounds, Book is another physical specimen on the mound, which is something the Cubs targeted for all of the pitchers they selected. Initially a Stoney Brook recruit, Book redshirted as a freshman before taking the mound in 2023 and going 4-3 with a 5.19 ERA. He followed that up with a 1-2 showing in 2024 and an ERA above 10.00, as things weren't looking great for the left-hander. Then came 2025, where Book not only transferred to the Redhawks but went on to post his best collegiate season, which couldn't have come at a better time. Across 14 starts, Book posted a 6-3 record with a 3.53 ERA across 86 2/3 innings. What really stands out is how overpowering he was at times as he finished the season with only 20 walks compared to 120 strikeouts. That is an elite strikeout-to-walk ratio at any level, so clearly he has the stuff that will play at the next level. To put that into perspective, that comes out to just over two walks per nine innings compared to 12.7 strikeouts per nine, as hitters had a difficult time picking up the baseball on him. Unlike many pitchers in today's game who focus on velocity first, Book is one of those old-school style pitchers who rely on location over power. Look at his fastball, for example, which not only sits around 90 MPH but also comes with a 32% whiff rate. That shows that his fastball plays faster than it is and hitters have a tough time making consistent contact. With that fastball comes an 80 MPH slider and an 81 MPH change-up, although neither of those pitches would be considered an elite offering at this point. Book has started to get a better feel for both pitches over the past year, but will need to get more out of those offerings to be successful at the next level. If you had to compare him to a pitcher in today's game or even a pitcher from the past on the Cubs, a young Sean Marshall would be a good comparison, especially when you look at how Marshall's fastball played in the major leagues. When it comes to someone in today's game, Jose Quintana is a name that comes to mind, as he is someone who relies on location rather than big-time velocity. Grade C+: This is one of those picks where you will look back in three to four years and say that was a bust or that was a steal. Sure, anytime you get a player like Book in the ninth round, you have to consider yourself fortunate, as he does have the potential to make a name for himself. However, when you are viewed as an 11th or 12th round pick, going in the ninth round could come across as a reach, especially if he becomes nothing more than a career minor leaguer. Low velocity doesn't play the way high velocity does in today's game and unless you're perfect with your location you don't have much room for error. Expect Book to be a project that could take several years to make an impression, but the Cubs have been known to be patient with their arms. Colton Book of @SJUHawks_Base is my @d1baseball Player Spotlight this week, a LHP in really good company, currently 5th in the nation in strikeouts (64)
Stuff isn't overpowering but he gets a lot of swing-and-miss on his fastball (86.7 average velo), also throws a SL, CB and CH pic.twitter.com/RAcfmQwz3S
