MLB Rookie Profile: Dylan Floro, RHP, Chicago Cubs

Back on May 8th the Chicago Cubs promoted right-handed pitcher Dylan Floro to the majors. He pitched on the 9th, was sent back to the minors on the 10th, then was brought back up yesterday. He’s a rookie so let’s get him written up before more roster bouncing occurs.

Floro was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 13th round in 2012 from Cal State Fullerton. He was quite successful in college, posting a 3.28 ERA over 261 innings in three seasons with a 178/37 K/BB, but since he lacked a plus fastball he wasn’t a hot commodity in the draft.

Despite this handicap his excellent command moved him through the minors rapidly and he wasn’t really challenged until reaching Triple-A in 2015, when he gave up 160 hits in 133 innings. He walked only 21 but his whiff total was weak at 81 and it looked like he would be a Quadruple-A type as a starter.

The Rays moved him to the bullpen in 2016 with better results: 2.88 ERA in 50 innings with a 40/9 K/BB. He got a major league trial last year with a 4.20 ERA in 15 innings, with a nice 14/5 K/BB but 23 hits allowed. The Cubs claimed him on waivers in January.

Floro is listed at 6-2, 175, a right-handed hitter and thrower, born December 27, 1990. A ground ball specialist, he relies heavily on a sinking fastball in the 89-93 MPH range and a slider in the mid-to-upper-80s. He has a four-seamer around 91 MPH to give hitters a different look and will mix in an occasional straight change-up in the low-to-mid-80s.

He’s constantly around the plate and gives up few walks, but Floro is not overpowering and consistently gives up more than a hit per inning. With a good defense behind him and a bit of luck, Floro could be useful as an 11th man on a staff, but he will always have a thin margin for error and can’t afford any fielding breakdowns behind him or slippage in his control.

Here’s a video clip of some of his work with the Rays last summer.