Jeremy Null Standing Tall in South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Jeremy Null is used to standing out. The South Bend Cubs starter and reigning Chicago Cubs Minor-League Pitcher of the Month has always been tall, towering atop the mound.

Null shot up in middle school, and, by the time he reached Bunker Hill High School in North Carolina, Null was 6-foot-3. He added an inch per year in high school and graduated at 6-foot-7. The right-hander parlayed three strong seasons at Western Carolina into his 15th-round selection by Chicago in 2014. One month into his first full professional season, Null is 3-0 with a league-best 0.59 ERA.

"Having a big guy with downward plane and good movement on his fastball, that's key right there," South Bend manager Jimmy Gonzalez said. "He does that well. He dominates the zone and he does it to perfection."

Null truly has been nearly perfect for the Cubs through his first five starts. Entering Tuesday's start, Null has fired 21.2 consecutive scoreless stanzas. He's only walked one batter. Null's April efforts earned him Chicago's top minor-league honor, recognition Null took in stride.

"It's a great honor to be selected. It's a great organization," Null said. "There's a lot of talent. For them to select me as the pitcher of the month, it was a very great moment for me. And I appreciate it a lot."

A three-year standout at Western Carolina, Null relied primarily on his fastball and slider for the Catamounts, piling up 265 strikeouts in 265 innings. After the Cubs drafted Null in June, the Conover, North Carolina, native decided to improve his changeup.

"I've just been throwing it a lot more," Null said. "I think that's where the pitch has developed, just using it and throwing it a lot more, practicing it in my side work."

Null has flashed the three-pitch mix throughout his first five starts, working quickly, confidently and efficiently on the mound.

"He's been composed every time he gets on the mound, no matter what the situation is," Gonzalez said.

For his part, Null said he's having the time of his life.

"It's been a blast. This is awesome," Null said. "This is the best time I've had playing baseball."

More fun than his youth years or his high-school years as a two-sport stalwart. Null has always pitched, but the big righty - somewhat predictably - also doubled as a post presence on the basketball court.

"Just a tall guy they threw out there, block some shots here and there," Null said when asked about his hoops game.

When pressed, Null admits he was actually "pretty good," averaging 15 points and seven rebounds per game at Bunker Hill High.

"I was so much taller than everybody else in our conference," Null said.

A stress fracture in his left foot and a broken left ankle derailed his basketball career, but Null was always a bit better at baseball anyway, he says.

Now, Null is totally focused on baseball and enjoying every moment of it.

"The organization is great. This group of guys is probably one of the best groups I've ever played with," Null said. "Don't have to go to school anymore, that's probably the best part. Just waking up every day and all I have to do is play baseball. It's awesome."