There are six young arms in the Cubs organization that have found themselves spending time in the big leagues — often to the fans’ collective chagrin. All are right handed and all have question marks - either in terms of results, and/or familiarity.

• Mitch Atkins - had a cup of coffee out of the bullpen, now back in Iowa
• Justin Berg - finally got into a game during his second call-up
• Esmailin Caridad - showed up just in time to relieve Tom Gorzelanny in Colorado
• David Patton - the Rule 5 pick hurt his groin, ending up on a double rehab stint in Tennessee
• Jeff Samardzija - famous college Wide Receiver was demoted after being pummeled by the Phillies
• Jeff Stevens - part of the Mark DeRosa trade, has been on the shuttle a lot lately, thanks to injuries

Given their limited experience, we’re not exactly wallowing in the PITCHf/x here, but there’s enough to talk about their stuff. In some cases, we can talk about how good or bad that stuff has done against big league hitters. But we’ll start with their Triple-A stats.

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With the injury to Chad Fox last night, Jose Ascanio was called up to the majors today. Given that the Cubs bullpen currently has the worst ERA in the majors, we can expect other changes coming up. David Patton probably isn’t long for this team, and I don’t think Neal Cotts should start shopping for real estate in Chicago either.

I think there are five likely bullpen additions who are in the Cubs system right now, not counting Jeff Samardzija, since he just got sent back down this week and will probably stay down for a while:

Randy Wells (MLB): Wells is already on the Cubs, of course, having started Friday’s game and done a pretty good job. He’s allowed no runs in ten innings in the majors, and had a 2.77 ERA in Iowa. If he pitches decently in his next start or two, depending how many he gets, he may get a role in the Cubs bullpen.

Jeff Stevens (AAA): In fifteen innings in Iowa he hasn’t allowed a run. He’s struck out twelve and walked four. He was one of the players acquired in the Mark DeRosa trade, and I think he was judged the most major-league ready. Last year in AAA he had a 3.94 ERA, striking out 44 to 16 walks.

Jason Waddell (AAA): Waddell is sporting a 3.38 ERA in 10.2 innings in AAA. He’s struck out and walked 5. None of this is impressive, but unlike most of the other guys on this list, he throws left-handed, so if the Cubs jettison Cotts he’s a likely replacement. Last year in AA he struck out 70 and walked 36, in only 64 innings, so he’s got some potential there.

Kevin Hart (AAA): Hart’s minor league numbers aren’t anything to write home about this year. He’s got a 7.43 ERA in 13.1 innings, although he has struck out seventeen and walked only five. I wouldn’t think he’d be a likely callup given his past performance, but he’s been with the Cubs a couple of times before, so I don’t think it can be ruled out. He’d probably have to put together some good innings in Iowa first, though.

John Gaub (AA): Is in Tennessee, where he’s got a 2.16 ERA in 8.1 innings. He’s also struck out a comical 15 in that span, walking four. Having never pitched above AA it’s tough to say if he’d be able to get guys out in the majors. But he’s a lefty who, over his entire minor league career has struck out 14.1 per nine innings. I don’t know if he could get good lefties out at the major league level yet, but he’s obviously doing something right.

The Cubs will probably make a roster move to fill Carlos Zambrano’s next start. Even if his hamstring injury is mild, sitting out a turn is probably necessary. Hopefully no more than that.

Who are the likely replacements? No one in the bullpen is stretched out, and the Cubs are indicating it will require a minor league call-up.

A likely candidate will possess three attributes:

1. On the 40-man roster (despite the open slots, I’m still guessing this way)
2. Already able to go 5+ innings with decent results in the minors
3. Experienced pitching with an “upper deck”

I’m not saying these are my criteria, but I expect these are considerations for Jim Hendry and Lou Piniella.

Who fits the bill?

Jose Ascanio, Mitch Atkins, Justin Berg, Kevin Hart, Marcos Mateo, Jeff Stevens and Randy Wells are all on the 40-man roster. Berg, Hart and Stevens are in the Iowa bullpen. Mateo just made his first start for AA Tennessee. Scratch them off the list.

That leaves Ascanio, Atkins and Wells. All are in the I-Cubs rotation. This Spring, Atkins was pegged as the sixth starter and the first call-up, so he’s immediately the front-runner.

Problem is, Atkins has been struggling. He has made five starts and worked 28+ innings. He’s stretched out, has 27 strike outs and nine walks, which is all good. He’s also allowed five home runs, has hit two batters and given up a total of 31 hits. It adds up to 6.99 ERA. He’s really not that bad, but that’s probably not going to punch his ticket to Chicago.

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