Looking back at Mark Prior‘s rapid ascent to the big leagues is something that’s actually pretty hard to wrap our minds around given how big of a focus there is on player development in today’s game. But 18 years ago, the Chicago Cubs added the big right-hander to their roster with a mere nine minor league appearances to his credit.
Chicago drafted Prior the previous summer with the second overall pick in the June draft out of USC. He was coming off a dominant run with the Trojans, to say the least. After transferring from another baseball powerhouse in Vanderbilt, he made 37 starts across two campaigns, working to a 2.