Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 45
Mills progressed from walk-on to 22nd-round pick in three years at Tennessee-Martin, only to injure his elbow and require Tommy John surgery in his first full pro season with the Royals in 2013. He advanced quickly when he returned to the mound, jumping from Double-A to the Majors in 2016 before the Cubs acquired him in exchange for outfielder prospect Donnie Dewees during the offseason. He barely pitched in his first season with his new organization, making just seven starts while plagued by bone chips in his elbow.
Mills' control and command are more impressive than his pure stuff. He does have a pair of solid offerings in his fastball and changeup, which play up because of his ability to locate them. Both have sinking action and his heater can range from 91-95 mph when he's fully healthy.
Though Mills throws two distinct breaking balls in a curveball and slider, they're fringy and don't make right-handers uncomfortable. He helps his cause by throwing a lot of strikes and living at the bottom of the zone. He's a low-ceiling/high-floor depth starter who's ready to contribute in Chicago if his elbow cooperates. Statcast - Pitching Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2016 86 9 1 11.1 85.6 8.7 .178 .375 .397 .380 .338 44.4 21.1 26.3 2018 292 41 2 4.9 89.4 11.1 .171 .295 .246 .248 .311 46.3 32.4 9.9 2019 553 92 7 7.6 88.4 11.1 .245 .441 .311 .330 .409 35.9 27.6 7.2 ALL 931 142 10 7.0 88.5 11.0 .218 .392 .299 .310 .376 39.4 28.5 9.5 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Rankings Hit By Pitch Year HBP Rank 2019 7 21st in NL Transactions Team Date Transaction 09/01/2019 Chicago Cubs recalled RHP Alec Mills from Iowa Cubs. 08/15/2019 Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Alec Mills to Iowa Cubs. 08/09/2019 Chicago Cubs recalled Alec Mills from Iowa Cubs. 07/23/2019 Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Alec Mills to Iowa Cubs. 07/16/2019 Chicago Cubs recalled Alec Mills from Iowa Cubs. 04/24/2019 Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Alec Mills to Iowa Cubs. 04/21/2019 Chicago Cubs recalled Alec Mills from Iowa Cubs. 04/17/2019 RHP Alec Mills assigned to Iowa Cubs. 03/24/2019 Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Alec Mills to Iowa Cubs. 03/22/2019 Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Alec Mills to Iowa Cubs. 09/09/2018 Chicago Cubs recalled Alec Mills from Iowa Cubs. 08/30/2018 Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Alec Mills to Iowa Cubs. 08/24/2018 Chicago Cubs recalled Alec Mills from Iowa Cubs. 07/28/2018 Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Alec Mills to Iowa Cubs. 07/27/2018 Chicago Cubs recalled Alec Mills from Iowa Cubs. 03/13/2018 Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Alec Mills to Iowa Cubs. 10/20/2017 Alec Mills roster status changed by Chicago Cubs. 10/06/2017 Chicago Cubs reassigned RHP Alec Mills to the minor leagues. 10/02/2017 Chicago Cubs recalled RHP Alec Mills from Myrtle Beach Pelicans. 09/19/2017 Iowa Cubs activated RHP Alec Mills from the 7-day disabled list. 08/29/2017 Iowa Cubs sent RHP Alec Mills on a rehab assignment to Myrtle Beach Pelicans. 08/19/2017 Iowa Cubs sent RHP Alec Mills on a rehab assignment to AZL Cubs. 05/15/2017 Iowa Cubs placed RHP Alec Mills on the 7-day disabled list. 05/12/2017 Iowa Cubs activated RHP Alec Mills from the 7-day disabled list. 04/14/2017 Iowa Cubs placed RHP Alec Mills on the 7-day disabled list. Left ankle contusion. 03/23/2017 Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Alec Mills to Iowa Cubs. 02/08/2017 Kansas City Royals traded RHP Alec Mills to Chicago Cubs for CF Donald Dewees Jr.. 02/08/2017 Kansas City Royals designated RHP Alec Mills for assignment. 09/12/2016 Kansas City Royals recalled RHP Alec Mills from Omaha Storm Chasers. 08/16/2016 Omaha Storm Chasers activated RHP Alec Mills from the 7-day disabled list. 08/08/2016 Omaha Storm Chasers placed RHP Alec Mills on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to August 6, 2016. 06/16/2016 RHP Alec Mills assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers from Northwest Arkansas Naturals. 05/19/2016 Kansas City Royals optioned RHP Alec Mills to Northwest Arkansas Naturals. 05/18/2016 Kansas City Royals recalled Alec Mills from Northwest Arkansas Naturals. 03/14/2016 Kansas City Royals optioned RHP Alec Mills to Northwest Arkansas Naturals. 11/20/2015 Kansas City Royals selected the contract of Alec Mills from Wilmington Blue Rocks. 08/15/2015 Wilmington Blue Rocks activated RHP Alec Mills from the 7-day disabled list. 07/20/2015 Wilmington Blue Rocks placed RHP Alec Mills on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to April 9, 2015. 04/09/2015 RHP Alec Mills assigned to Wilmington Blue Rocks. 09/15/2014 Lexington Legends activated RHP Alec Mills from the temporarily inactive list. 08/23/2014 Lexington Legends placed RHP Alec Mills on the temporarily inactive list. 07/21/2014 Lexington Legends activated RHP Alec Mills from the 60-day disabled list. 04/03/2014 Lexington Legends placed RHP Alec Mills on the 60-day disabled list. 09/06/2013 Lexington Legends activated RHP Alec Mills from the 7-day disabled list. 06/19/2013 Lexington Legends placed RHP Alec Mills on the 7-day disabled list. 03/29/2013 RHP Alec Mills assigned to Lexington Legends from Idaho Falls Chukars. 06/13/2012 Alec Mills assigned to Idaho Falls Chukars. 06/10/2012 Kansas City Royals signed RHP Alec Mills.
