Greg Maddux

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #5 prospect in 1987
  Maddux is the most advanced pitcher in the Cubs' system and would be their best prospect if he was 20 pounds stronger. Maddux rushed through Double-A Pittsfield and Triple-A Iowa last season (14-4, 2.91, with 45 walks and 100 strikeouts in 192 innings), but was hit hard in a September trial with the Cubs. Maddux has a good fastball that he can run inside or cut away, but it will be a five-inning pitch if he doesn’t get stronger. His changeup is above-average and his curve is strong when he pulls down properly. But in his immediate favor, he is not afraid to pitch inside and his control is superb, which could land him on the varsity this year as a spot starter and long reliever.
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #7 prospect in 1986
  Despite his slight build, Maddux throws an above-average fastball that moves well, and he has a power curve when he doesn’t rush his delivery. He had a good season at low Class A Peoria (13-9, 3.19, 125 strikeouts and 52 walks in 186 innings), though physical fatigue took a toll in the final month. The Cubs think Maddux will get bigger and stronger. Mike Maddux, an older brother who pitches in the Phillies’ system, was about the same size at the same age but has grown to 6-foot-2, 180 pounds.
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #5 prospect in 1985
  A second-round pick in last June’s draft, Maddux already has shown enough accomplishment with a fastball, curveball and straight changeup to indicate that all three will be above-average pitches. He was dominating at times in the Rookie-level Appalachian League (6-2, 2.83 ERA, 62 strikeouts and 41 walks in 86 innings) and extremely impressive at instructional league (1.83 ERA, 25 strikeouts and 13 walks in 29 innings). Maddux’s slight frame scared off some clubs in the draft. The Cubs don’t think he’ll ever be more than 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, but a lot of pitchers that size have had big success. His fastball already is slightly above-average, and he moves it in and out, up and down in the strike zone. Maddux is also a superb fielder.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked National League #6 prospect in 1986
  At age 20, the wiry 6-foot, 150-pound Las Vegas native came up early in the season and pitched brilliantly. In mid-August, Maddux had an 8-1 record that could easily have been 11-1. He departed from three of his August starts with comfortable leads only to watch the Iowa bullpen let them get away. Said Iowa manager Larry Cox: “He changes speeds well. He has a good fastball and a good curve, but the best thing he’s got going for him is his competitiveness.”
• 
  Ranked Midwest League #3 prospect in 1985
  He’s only 19, but he’s still got a major league arm--an 88 mph fastball and good control. Now Maddux needs to develop a consistent curve. “For his age, he’s got an excellent fastball,” Appleton manager Sal Rende said. “He’s got a decent breaking pitch, but (the Cubs) need to take their time with him so he can learn how to pitch.” Maddux, the Cubs’ second-round pick in June 1984, was praised for his poise at Peoria and was voted the league’s best pitching prospect in a midseason poll. But some managers questioned whether the 6-foot, 150-pound Maddux was strong enough to make it to the majors. Peoria manager Pete Mackanin has little doubt. “When he learns to control that curve, he’s going to move up as fast as anyone can move,” he said. “He’s going to be a major league pitcher.”
• 
  Ranked National League #4 prospect in 1984
  Drafted in the second round in June by the Cubs, Maddux impressed managers with an overpowering fastball at Pikeville, despite a slight build. “He’s got a live arm,” said Bluefield manager Greg Biagini. “It’s loose and limber, and he knows how to pitch for a high school pitcher. He throws hard for his size.” “He’s the best pitcher in the league.” said Pikeville manager Jim Fairey. “He throws 90 (mph), he’s young (18), he has a good curve. And he has poise.” Maddux, whose older brother Mike is a pitcher in the Phillies' system, was 6-2 in his first pro season, with a 2.63 ERA. He struck out 62 in 86 innings.

• December, 1986 Scouting Report
  Maddux is the most advanced pitcher in the Cubs' system and would be their best prospect if he was 20 pounds stronger. Maddux rushed through Double-A Pittsfield and Triple-A Iowa last season (14-4, 2.91, with 45 walks and 100 strikeouts in 192 innings), but was hit hard in a September trial with the Cubs. Maddux has a good fastball that he can run inside or cut away, but it will be a five-inning pitch if he doesn’t get stronger. His changeup is above-average and his curve is strong when he pulls down properly. But in his immediate favor, he is not afraid to pitch inside and his control is superb, which could land him on the varsity this year as a spot starter and long reliever.
• December, 1985 Scouting Report
  Despite his slight build, Maddux throws an above-average fastball that moves well, and he has a power curve when he doesn’t rush his delivery. He had a good season at low Class A Peoria (13-9, 3.19, 125 strikeouts and 52 walks in 186 innings), though physical fatigue took a toll in the final month. The Cubs think Maddux will get bigger and stronger. Mike Maddux, an older brother who pitches in the Phillies’ system, was about the same size at the same age but has grown to 6-foot-2, 180 pounds.
• December, 1985 Scouting Report
  At age 20, the wiry 6-foot, 150-pound Las Vegas native came up early in the season and pitched brilliantly. In mid-August, Maddux had an 8-1 record that could easily have been 11-1. He departed from three of his August starts with comfortable leads only to watch the Iowa bullpen let them get away. Said Iowa manager Larry Cox: “He changes speeds well. He has a good fastball and a good curve, but the best thing he’s got going for him is his competitiveness.”
• December, 1984 Scouting Report
  A second-round pick in last June’s draft, Maddux already has shown enough accomplishment with a fastball, curveball and straight changeup to indicate that all three will be above-average pitches. He was dominating at times in the Rookie-level Appalachian League (6-2, 2.83 ERA, 62 strikeouts and 41 walks in 86 innings) and extremely impressive at instructional league (1.83 ERA, 25 strikeouts and 13 walks in 29 innings). Maddux’s slight frame scared off some clubs in the draft. The Cubs don’t think he’ll ever be more than 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, but a lot of pitchers that size have had big success. His fastball already is slightly above-average, and he moves it in and out, up and down in the strike zone. Maddux is also a superb fielder.
• December, 1984 Scouting Report
  He’s only 19, but he’s still got a major league arm--an 88 mph fastball and good control. Now Maddux needs to develop a consistent curve. “For his age, he’s got an excellent fastball,” Appleton manager Sal Rende said. “He’s got a decent breaking pitch, but (the Cubs) need to take their time with him so he can learn how to pitch.” Maddux, the Cubs’ second-round pick in June 1984, was praised for his poise at Peoria and was voted the league’s best pitching prospect in a midseason poll. But some managers questioned whether the 6-foot, 150-pound Maddux was strong enough to make it to the majors. Peoria manager Pete Mackanin has little doubt. “When he learns to control that curve, he’s going to move up as fast as anyone can move,” he said. “He’s going to be a major league pitcher.”
• December, 1983 Scouting Report
  Drafted in the second round in June by the Cubs, Maddux impressed managers with an overpowering fastball at Pikeville, despite a slight build. “He’s got a live arm,” said Bluefield manager Greg Biagini. “It’s loose and limber, and he knows how to pitch for a high school pitcher. He throws hard for his size.” “He’s the best pitcher in the league.” said Pikeville manager Jim Fairey. “He throws 90 (mph), he’s young (18), he has a good curve. And he has poise.” Maddux, whose older brother Mike is a pitcher in the Phillies' system, was 6-2 in his first pro season, with a 2.63 ERA. He struck out 62 in 86 innings.