Sunday’s attempt at completing a three-game sweep against the San Francisco Giants really only put the focus on one of the most disappointing aspects of the 2023 Cubs: what the hell happened to the Cubs pitch lab?
For several years, the Cubs have been able to bring in veteran relievers and make them better, as well as finally getting some positive results from their pitching prospects. The team’s pitching depth was supposed to be one of the major strengths of the 2023 team, but it’s actually been one of the biggest issues, leading to an underperforming team heading toward the mid-point of the regular season.
Of course, expectations play into how we view some of these failures. As a rookie, Hayden Wesneski earned the fifth starter role with an impressive spring training performance and because of how he liked in Arizona, coupled with his September in 2022, fans (myself included) thought Wesneski was going to be an immediate star.
Wesneski has had a shaky year, with his slider command being the main difference from his initial call up to the big leagues at the end of 2022. The righty hasn’t been consistent, but he has had plenty of flashes of how good he can be despite the struggles. However, after some time in Triple-A after a May demotion, Wesneski still hasn’t put it all together.
Overall, Wesneski has a 5.33 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 50.2 innings this year, while posting an 18.5 K% and a 6 BB%. It was only a 33-inning sample size from his cup of coffee in the majors last year, but compared to this season, the strikeouts are down, the walks are up and the home runs allowed are way up.
Heading over to the bullpen, lefty Brandon Hughes was a pleasant surprise during the 2022 season. Following his impressive rookie season, Hughes was only of a couple relievers that had secured roles in the bullpen heading into 2023. However, after throwing more innings than he ever had as a pro and going under a new training regiment to prepare for his first full MLB season, Hughes has had a rocky sophomore season.
The setbacks first started in spring training, when Hughes was one of the pitchers to appear in game action a little later than most. Not a big deal, but it was noticeable. Then, in the middle of March, the Cubs said Hughes was dealing with a knee issue that eventually kept him off the Opening Day roster. Hughes made his season debut in mid-April, but the knee issue resurfaced, forcing a second trip to the injured list.
It’s probably unfair to point to the coaches on this one because it seems like Hughes has not been able to get back on track since returning from the injured list. The left-hander has allowed 9 earned runs in his last 8 innings pitched that date back to May 13.
Brandon Hughes Stats
2022: 57 G, 57.2 IP, 3.12 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 28.5 K%, 8.8 BB%, 3.2 K/BB
2023: 17 G, 13.2 IP, 7.24 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 27 K%, 12.7 BB%, 2.1 K/BB
Maybe the knee is causing mechanical issues, leading to more walks. Whatever it is, the Cubs haven’t found a solution and at this point Hughes isn’t deserving of a spot in the bullpen.
And then there’s Jeremiah Estrada, who had a lot of hype at the beginning of 2023, as some minor league observers felt the 24-year-old could potentially emerge as the team’s closer. Well, a drop in his velocity and not being able to throw competitive sliders have led to hitters crushing Estrada this year.
I was surprised Estrada was still up with the Cubs on Sunday, but I have to figure a trip back to Triple-A Iowa or maybe back down to Arizona to work more closely with coaches is in Estrada’s future.
In 12 relief appearances this season, Estrada has given up 8 earned runs, striking out 13, but walking 12 and surrendering 4 home runs in 10.2 innings.
Add in Javier Assad as yet another rookie pitcher from last year, who has regressed in 2023. He had a few promising outings in May, coming in long relief, but overall Assad has not taken a step forward in his development at the major league level either.
Javier Assad Stats
2022: 9 G, 37.2 IP, 3.11 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 18.1 K%, 12 BB%, 1.5 K/BB
2023: 9 G, 25.2 IP, 5.61 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, 14.2 K%, 11.5 BB%, 1.23 K/BB
And then there’s Keegan Thompson, who was getting by with a lot of luck before the luck ran out and he started to get crushed. He’s been in Triple-A and has only gotten worse. Meanwhile, Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger have not gotten better with the Cubs, breaking a streak of veteran relievers coming in and improving with the Cubs.
To be fair, 31-year-old Julian Merryweather was picked up by the Cubs in the offseason and the right-hander has been a success story this year. After years of never being able to reach his potential with the Toronto Blue Jays, Merryweather has turned into a solid reliever in 2023.
Merryweather has a 3.62 ERA in 27 appearances this year and a lot of the damage he gave up came from his first outing against the Milwaukee Brewers. He allowed five runs and only got two outs on April 2, but since then Merryweather has posted a 2.03 ERA in 26.2 innings.
And yes I know, Mark Leiter Jr. and Adbert Alzolay have also been great, but both of those guys were great in the second half of 2022. But yes, their continued success is another positive. It just seems like there has been more negatives or maybe it’s been more noticeable this year because the Cubs were supposed to be competing and the repeated failures in the bullpen have hurt a lot more compared to the past couple of seasons.
For a bit last year, Cubs fans started to feel pretty good about the organization being able to develop their pitching prospects. Now? That confidence has taken a big hit at the major league level. Remember Caleb Kilian? There’s another guy who just fell off fast after coming up to the big leagues last year, too.
This doesn’t mean the Cubs will continue to fail, but the lack of good pitching depth has cost them throughout the 2023 season.
2023 season