Early Bullpen Projections

The Cubs are off to a 5-0 start in the Cactus league, and we’ve gotten a very early look at some of the pitchers competing for bullpen spot. With the rotation 4/5ths of the way determines, and only a couple of position spots in question, the bullpen is what Consell and Hoyer will be looking at to figure out what to do.

There have been a few changes after my last analysis: Ryan Brazier has been added, and Matt Festa and Rob Zastryzny were DFAd, signing minor league deals with other clubs.

I feel like contract status and option years may play a bigger part in who starts the season in the bullpen, as opposed to Spring performance. But, there will be injuries and ineffectiveness, forcing the Cubs to make moves, And the players who do well this Spring but don’t make the opening roster will be at an advantage for initial call-ups — in addition to how well they are doing in Iowa.

Here are my rock solid locks:
-Pressley
-Brasier
-Hodge*
-Thielbar

Here are the guys I am confident will make it:
-Miller
-Merryweather
-Rea (although he may be the 5th starter, which would open up a bullpen spot)

Here are the other guys with a decent chance:
-Thompson
-Morgan*
-Pearson*
-Poteet*

Here are the guys with a slight chance:
-Palencia*
-Neely*
-Horton* (Non-roster)
-Little* (injured)
-Roberts*
-Keller (Non-roster)
-Hughes (Non-roster)

-And a few swing guys who might start or act as long relievers:
-Brown*
-Wicks*
-Assad* (injured)
-Kilian*

My early guess would be the following;
Closer – Pressley
Setup – Hodge/Brasier
Lefty – Thielbar
Other – Merryweather, Morgan, Pearson, Miller
(Assumes Colin Rea is the 5th starter)

If anyone gets hurt, Keegan Thompson would be my next up, as he is out of options.

If they decide to stretch out Nate Pearson, that opens another spot.

Brad Keller has looked very impressive so far, and I would not expect him to accept an assignment to AAA if he doesn’t make the team. But if he continues to impress, some other tough decisions would need to be made.

It’s interesting to see Brandon Hughes back with the club. He is a guy who might take an assignment in Iowa, with the thought that if Thielbar would have an injury, or they were going to face a team with a large percentage of left-handed hitters, he might get called up.

NOTE: I’ve been having some fun with the AI generated images that are created for these posts, but the one created for this post is my favorite. You’ve heard of Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown. Well, one of the pitchers in the image appears to be Mordecai “Three Arm” Brown.