Kyle Hendricks pitching against the Miami Marlins (Photo by Griffin Quinn/Getty Images)
And the Bullpen Could Benefit.
Going into the 2024 season, the Chicago Cubs starting rotation looked to have depth if not a lot of front-end talent. Well, there has certainly been some depth displayed. However, the quality of the rotation has been a pleasant surprise.
Assad is the Rodney Dangerfield of Starting Pitchers
Javier Assad went six scoreless innings to lower is ERA to 1.66. He’s been lights out this season. And actually, he was better than fair last year too. So, why doesn’t he get the recognition his work deserves? Well, he doesn’t have the prototypical pitcher’s and his stuff doesn’t look overpowering. He just gets people out. Sort of like Greg Maddux.
Not to insinuate that Assad is Maddux, but maybe it’s time to accept the possibility that Assad is a solid starter.
What Happens to Brown and Wesneski?
Both Ben Brown and Hayden Wesneski have filled in admirably during the absence of Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon. Throw in the ineffectiveness of Kyle Hendricks and the starting rotation and the starting rotation could have been a disaster, but instead it’s been a team strength.
With the return of Steele, the Cubs rotation could now feature Steele-Taillion-Imanaga-Wesneski/Brown-Assad. You notice that that rotation doesn’t include Kyle Hendricks. I’m afraid that Kyle will find his way back into the rotation. And while I love Kyle Hendricks, he’s not one of the best five starting pitchers that the Cubs have available to them. What to do with Kyle remains somewhat of a conundrum for the Cubs.
While the Cubs starting rotation has been a revelation, the bullpen has been a disaster. Adbert Alzolay has been an unmitigated disaster as the Cubs closer, or even setup guy. It’d likely that Ben Brown and/or Hayden Wesneski will likely shore up that position of weakness.
More on Adzolay
Adbert was an excellent closer for the Cubs in 2023. But to paraphrase an old sales quote, past results is no guarantee of future performance. Frankly, Adbert’s stuff seems a little short for a closer. He lacks a real put away pitch. This season Alzolay has pitched 16 innings and struck out 11. That’s down from the 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings he recorded last season.
Adbert is 29 years old and has a career record of 12-25 with an ERA of 4.07. Maybe 2023 was the outlier.
But Wait, There’s More!
The top pitching prospect in the organization, Cade Horton, just made his first start in AAA after dominating in AA. Horton went four innings and gave up two runs on two hits and four walks while absorbing the loss. He struck out six while taking the loss. Horton should provide help for the rotation or the bullpen.
Beyond, Hendricks, Drew Smyly and Jordan Wicks could also provide some additional depth.
Cubs’ fans have been impatient for Jed Hoyer to trade for a closer, but it may not be necessary.
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