Cubs Draft Project Pitcher With Big Stuff, Control Woes

The Chicago Cubs drafted Nebraska's tall, 6'7" right-handed pitcher Carson Jasa in the third round. Jasa commands a fastball in the 95-96 mph range, but his biggest attractions are his high spin rates on his slider and a deceptive 12-6 curveball. He also throws a mid-80s changeup, which he may need to refine for his starting pitcher aspirations.

Jasa, a redshirt sophomore, previously underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024. After struggling in relief in 2025, he transitioned to the Cornhuskers' starting rotation this past season. In 16 starts, he achieved a 10-2 record with a 3.59 ERA, recording 117 strikeouts over 87.2 innings. This performance represented a significant improvement, particularly in reducing his walk rate by over 50 percent compared to his first year back.

Ranked between 158th and 173rd by major draft analysts, Keith Law of The Athletic placed Jasa higher at 93rd, acknowledging his command issues and reliever risk but noting his high potential if control improves. Jasa is considered a project for the Cubs' pitch lab, with his size and velocity offering significant upside, contingent on developing better pitching feel and zone command.