BA Grade/Risk:

40/Medium

Track Record: The Cubs scouted Mexico heavily last decade and signed Assad for $150,000 from the Yucatan franchise shortly before his 18th birthday. He spent his first five seasons as a steady, reliable innings-eater with pedestrian stuff, but he gained three mph on his fastball in 2022 and took off. Assad set new career-bests in ERA (2.99) and strikeouts (111) as he blitzed through Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa. He earned his first callup in late August and finished the year in the Cubs rotation.

Scouting Report: Assad goes right after hitters and fills up the strike zone with a five-pitch mix. His fastball ticked up from 88-91 mph to 92-95 mph and plays above its velocity with his ability to command it in the zone. His short, tight 85-88 mph cutter is an above-average offering with late tilt and his above-average, low-80s slider with sharp break and movement gets chase swings at the bottom of the zone. He also has an average mid-80s changeup with solid fading action and a below-average mid-70s curveball he can ambush hitters with to steal a strike. Assad has an advanced feel for sequencing his pitches and impressive poise on the mound. He throws everything for strikes with above-average control and works efficiently.

The Future: Assad's command and feel for pitching should help him stick as a back-end starter or swingman. He could be more if his stuff continues to tick up.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Curveball: 40. Slider: 55. Cutter: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 55