CHICAGO – Finding positives in a season when losing 100 games seems inevitable is difficult for any team, let alone the Cubs amid an organizational overhaul.

The Cubs would need to play .400 ball in the final 35 games to avoid their first 100-loss season since 1966 – a painful reminder of how far they’ve fallen since their last playoff appearance four years ago. However, if there is one thing the Cubs can take away from this lost season, it is the invaluable big-league experience for 16 rookies, including 10 who have made their MLB debut.

Despite the varying results, the nine rookie pitchers have one advantage as they try to convince the Cubs’ front office that they have MLB-quality talent. Most of them worked with Cubs catchers Steve Clevenger and Welington Castillo, both products of the farm system, during their stints in the minor leagues.