One thing that has been consistent of the Cubs during the Hendry years is the Cubs near total failure to pick up talent from the independent leagues. This has been a factor in the decline of the Cubs under the Hendry regime.

One pitcher who has done well at the independent league level is Jonathan Krysa, the 2006 Northern League Pitcher of the Year who will soon be starting his 5th consecutive year with the Kansas City T-Bones . In 2006, Krysa finished first in wins (13) second in strikeouts (129) and innings pitched (161.1).

Jonathan Krysa has pitched for 7 seasons so far in minor league baseball and has some interesting statistics . His ERA during those years has fluctuated between 2.92 and 4.21 with his last 3 seasons showing ERA's of 3.10, 3.70 & 3.74. Also during those last 3 seasons, he pitched 140(+) innings per season. This shows that he has real durability.

Here's what the
Kansas City Kansan had to say when Krysa re-upped with the club:

The Kansas City T-Bones announced Monday that pitcher Jonathan Krysa has re-signed to return for his fifth season with the club. Krysa, 28, is the only player still on the roster from the 2003 inaugural season. In his four seasons with Kansas City, Krysa has amassed a 29-27 record with a 3.52 ERA in 504 innings. In those four season, he has struck out 424 and walked 168 for a K:BB ratio of 2.5:1.

“Krysa is a proven top starter who’s gotten better each year,” said T-Bones mangaer Andy McCauley. “He’s going to be at the top of our rotation and we expect him to log a lot of innings. I look forward to having him on our squad.”

Here's an idea: Given Krysa's long record of success at the independent league level, why not scout him out and if he looks every bit as good as his stats, sign him right up for the Cubs farm system?