Adbert Alzolay believes he can be missing piece in Cubs’ rotation

Right-hander Adbert Alzolay isn’t the same pitcher he was a year ago. He’s stronger, wiser and more confident.

So much so that he believes he has a realistic shot at earning the fifth spot in the Cubs’ rotation.

And he’s not the only one.

Right-hander Kyle Hendricks believes Alzolay, 24, has serious major-league potential.

“He’s electric,” Hendricks said at the Cubs Convention this weekend. “He has a really good shot at being a really good major-league starter for a long time.”

Alzolay, one of the Cubs’ top pitching prospects, got a taste of the majors last season. On June 20 against the Mets, he made an impressive four-plus-inning big-league debut out of the bullpen that earned him his first career start.

His first two outings went well, but Alzolay lost his composure in his second start and was sent down to the minors, where he stayed until a September call-up.

Though he was disappointed he couldn’t stay with the Cubs, Alzolay believes he’s better because of it.

“[Pitching in the majors] was up and down for me, but that was a good thing,” Alzolay said. “To me, it was really, really good that that happened because when you’re kind of having success and success and success, and then you fall, you kind of feel like, ‘Oh, what am I gonna do now?’ . . . I’ve been learning a lot from that, and that really helped me to find out, ‘OK, this is what we’re gonna do now.’ ”

This offseason, Alzolay has focused on increasing his flexibility and overall strength. And with the guidance of his fiancée, who’s a nutritionist, Alzolay overhauled his diet and became a vegetarian.

The result? He has shed unnecessary body fat and bulked up. He’s also recovering faster and better than ever.

“That was a good game-changer for me,” he said. “I feel like this is the best shape that I’ve ever been in.”

Hendricks, who has worked alongside Alzolay in Arizona this winter, has seen the improvements since last season.

“He looks unbelievable right now,” Hendricks said. “[He’s] throwing bullpens and working out, doing everything he needs to do, so I think he could definitely be a big piece for us this year.”

The first four spots in the rotation are locked up with Yu Darvish, Hendricks, Jon Lester and Jose Quintana. But the fifth spot is up for grabs.

Right-hander Tyler Chatwood, who’s in the last year of his $38 million deal, is back in the mix after a demotion to the bullpen last season. But Alzolay could make a compelling argument for himself this spring.

“I feel like mentally, I’m more prepared this year,” he said. “I’m feeling great. . . . I’m just ready for spring training.”