This is the fourth post in a series taking a closer look at the Cubs non-roster Spring Training invitees pitchers – with the hope that one of them might break out similarly to how Brad Keller did last season. Or at least provide some organizational depth to the bullpen
Here is a great Twitter thread from Brendan Miller going through all the pitchers in camp, including the non-roster invitees:
https://x.com/brendan_cubs/status/2021429115208016238?s=20
And Sahadev Sharma had a recent article that included more details about two of the players I’ve highlighted: Trent Thornton and Collin Snyder (along with Hunter Harvey) ($).
Next up here: Jeff Brigham
Like many non-roster invitees, Jeff Brigham has show a flash of quality in the majors, but has not been able to sustain it. And several injuries have really limited the number of innings he’s gotten at all professional levels.
Brigham was a 4th round draft pick by the Dodgers in 2014, but was part of a massive 3-team trade in 2015 that sent him to Miami:
Traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Los Angeles Dodgers with Victor Araujo (minors) and Kevin Guzman (minors) to the Miami Marlins. The Miami Marlins sent Mat Latos and Mike Morse to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Miami Marlins sent 2016 competitive balance round A pick to the Atlanta Braves. The Atlanta Braves sent Bronson Arroyo, Luis Avilán, Jim Johnson, José Peraza and Alex Wood to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Los Angeles Dodgers sent Zachary Bird (minors), Héctor Olivera and Paco Rodríguez to the Atlanta Braves.
He pitched in 4 games for the Marlins in 2016 (losing 4 starts) but switched to relief in 2019, putting up a 4.46 ERA over 32 games. But he suffered a major biceps nerve injury in 2020 that allowed him to appear in only on game that season and miss the entire 2021 season.
After extensive rehabilitation and 30 games in AAA, he came back to Miami in 2022 with a solid season, posting a 3.38 ERA for the major league club over 16 appearances. He was then traded to the Meta with a couple other players for Jake Mangum.
Brigham pitched in 37 games for the Mets in 2023 and while he had a solid 1.17 WHIP, he allowed 9 home runs in only 37.2 innings, leading to a 5.26 ERA. He left as a free agent after the season, signing with the Twins. After injuring his oblique in April, he spent the rest of 2024 with in the minors, pitching in 33 games for St. Paul, Minnesota’s AAA team.
After the 2024 season, he was again a free agent, and signed with the Diamondbacks. He only pitched in 4 games in the majors, posting an 8.10 ERA. This article summarizes his season quite well, that included blowing a lead, several stints in AAA, and a release in August: https://www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/onsi/arizona-diamondbacks-news/veteran-reliever-d-backs-tenure-ugly-brigham
So why are the Cubs giving this guy a chance?
Evan Altman of Cubs Insider summarized the signing this way:
“This is a risk-free move for pitching depth and should not be viewed as anything more than that, but maybe Brigham can catch lightning in a bottle at Triple-A.“
I’ve never tried catching lightning in a bottle, but would think I’d have about the same chance of success doing that as Brigham will have with pitching for the Cubs in the majors this season.
Here is how Jordan Bastian put it for North Side Baseball:
“Obviously, this move doesn’t move the needle. At best, he’s an arm that will stay game-ready in Triple-A Iowa and be called upon in the event of a doubleheader or if the Cubs’ bullpen is down bad with injuries. Like a lot of injuries.”
Not exactly high praise.
Some of the Cubs non-roster invites to Spring have been described as lottery tickets, but Brigham seems like the $1 scratch off where you’re hoping to get a $20 payday. Perhaps that is harsh, as he is a pitcher who throws 95, and has gotten hitters out in the majors. But when comparing him to the other candidates to pitch in the bullpen for the Cubs in 2026, he seems like an EXTREME longshot.
Cubs in 7 
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