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Cubs Predicted to Land Young Team USA Ace With Electric Fastball

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 4:10 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs would love to add more talent, and holding the 17th overall pick in the 2025 MLB draft, will look to do just that.

There are many ways the Cubs could go in the draft, but Just Baseball recently linked them to an intriguing option in the form of Tyler Bremner, a right-handed pitcher out of UC Santa Barbara.

UC Santa Barbara, one of the more underrated college programs in the country, arguably had the best starter in the nation this past season. Bremner dealt with some struggles, throwing in 14 games and 77.1 innings. He struck out 111 hitters and posted a 3.49 ERA.

“Bremner’s late-season resurgence may mean he goes higher than this, but the Cubs miss out on Steele Hall in this scenario. They love athletic upside, which makes Daniel Pierce a legitimate possibility.

“However, Bremner is a potentially high-floor starter with a 70 change and a solid heater. If the Cubs can rework his slider, there’s a chance he can return to 2024 form,” they wrote.

Entering the year, many believed that Bremner was the top prospect in the game. His fastball can run up to 98 mph, and according to MLB.com, his changeup is a 65 grade pitch.

However, Bremner doesn't have much outside of those two pitches, as his slider didn't show much effectiveness during his final season at UCSB.

He had trouble locating his slider in college, and that's a significant issue for a young starter.

A college national team Alum, Bremner should go in the first round, and perhaps even higher than the Cubs' pick if things go in his favor.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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