Cubs Prospect Profile: Brandon Birdsell |
There have been many Cubs prospects who have risen up the ranks in recent seasons, but one name that hasn't been mentioned much is the organization's No. 22 overall prospect, Brandon Birdsell. The right-hander is one of many starting pitching prospects looking to make an impact at some point and is slowly starting to turn heads.
One of the best prep prospects in the state of Texas, Birdsell ultimately chose to sign with Texas A&M, and the rest is history. That came after he blew out his arm as a freshman in high school before becoming a 39th-round pick by the Houston Astros in 2018. Birdsell knew he could do better and elected to enroll at Texas A&M, where he turned himself into a fifth-round pick in 2022. In the years since, Birdsell has not only been one of the more consistent pitchers in the Cubs system but also one of the best, and that is a great sign when you consider how many injuries he had to deal with at such a young age. Like many players, especially pitchers, Birdsell didn't actually pitch after being drafted in 2022 and instead went to Arizona to gain some strength and get comfortable with the pro-game setting. It wasn't until 2023 that Birdsell got his first taste of professional ball, and from that moment on, he started to make a name for himself as a legitimate starter. Birdsell made 24 starts in his rookie campaign, and although his record was just 4-8, he posted a 2.77 ERA, which was one of the best in the organization. He walked 32 and struck out 97 in better than 100 innings, showing a lot of promise that season. Then came 2024, when Birdsell not only took the next step as a starter but finished the season in AAA, where he should have begun the season as the Ace of the Iowa staff. Once again, Birdsell was one of the more durable pitchers in the entire organization, as he made 26 starts and topped 130 innings. For the second straight season, he was a below .500 pitcher at 8-9, but with a 3.91 ERA, he continues to prove that wins and losses aren't everything when it comes to the success of a pitcher. His walk rate remained the same as he walked 31, but the massive uptick in strikeouts from 97 to 134 was a pleasant surprise as he earned honors from Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year. 2025 is a massive step for his development, as Birdsell not only has tons of potential but is also looking to build on two strong seasons in the Cubs organization. Birdsell is one of those guys who consistently sits in the 93-94 MPH range but was seen topping 96 more often than not as the season went on. There were even times when that fastball reached 99 MPH, so you know there is a lot left in the tank. As good as his fastball can be, it's the 86 MPH slider that stands out, as that is his best pitch, and it isn't even close. That slider isn't only a wipeout slider, but it is a pitch that he can throw at any point in the count and can make hitters look silly. Despite being his best pitch, Birdsell tends to go with his 77 MPH curveball more than his slider while sprinkling in an 88 MPH that he uses a lot more against left-handers. Birdsell's delivery isn't the best, as it reminds you a lot of the Rowan Wick delivery. However, given that he repeats it almost every time, it makes for good mechanics, as he has mastered the art of pitching with that delivery. When he can consistently throw his fastball for strikes, Birdsell is a strike-throwing machine who can throw any pitch at any time in the count. Not counting Cade Horton, who will be knocking on the MLB door at some point this season, Birdsell could be doing the same if he gets off to a strong start to begin the season. There are talks about using Birdsell as a closer to maximize his stuff, but those talks are a long way from materializing.
