Chris Piersoll -- By Robert Sherry

In a Cubs system that is always in need of pitching depth and help at the major league level, this 22 year-old has not received too much attention so far despite his very nice looking stats.

This righty began his pro career in 1997 at the Cubs Rookie-level team in the Gulf Coast League. He adjusted quickly to the pro game (4-0 , 2.27 ERA, 31.2 IP, 21 H, 9 BB, 35 SO, 2 SV in 14 games in relief). His good fortune continued in 1998, his first full season, at Rockford (2-0, 3.92 ERA, 59.2 IP, 52 H, 20 BB, 55 SO, and 2 SV in 27 games, 4 starts) before spending most of 1999 at High-A Daytona (7-3, 3.72 ERA, 67.2 IP, 68 H, 24 BB, 74 SO, and 5 SV in 33 games). He ended 1999 at Double-A West Tenn, where he improved as the competition increased (0-0, 0.63 ERA, 14.1 IP, 12 H, 3 BB, 14 SO, and 1 SV in 8 games).

Standing at 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, Piersoll is someone I think will factor into the Cubs bullpen by sometime next season. The closer spot is a possibility for this power pitcher, but I am thinking you will see him used more in the setup role, where he could develop into a very solid arm to use in the late innings.