Despite having the seventh-best ERA (.396) in the National League, and 13th overall, the Chicago Cubs need to make improvements to their bullpen. A lack of live accurate arms has been one of the trouble spots. In a league that is seeing value in high-velocity pitchers, the Cubs have spent much of the season searching for solutions to their velocity deficit, and the addition of young prospect Hunter Bigge to the active roster may be a step in the right direction.
Sources: Cubs are calling up Hunter Bigge, the 26-year-old relief pitching prospect.
The @HarvardBaseball alum has been dominant with a 0.77 ERA at Triple-A. @MLBNetwork @MLBPipeline @670TheScore
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 6, 2024
Cubs Prospect Hunter Bigge’s Talent Has Been Showing Of Late
The Cubs drafted Bigge out of Harvard in Round 12 of the 2019 Draft. He pitched well in the Low-A with a 1.13 ERA and a 34.4 percent strikeout rate in 16 innings. After riding out the pandemic, Bigge was promoted to High-A, where he struggled for the next two seasons there and at the Double-A level. Last year with Double-A Tennessee, he held a 3-1 record and a 3.50 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings over 31 appearances. He carried a 28.8 percent strikeout rate and a 44.7 percent ground ball rate with the Smokies as well.
He ended last season and began this season with Triple-A Iowa, where his progress was slowed by an oblique strain that kept him out of much of the first half of 2024. Since returning June 4, however, Bigge has an impressive 0.77 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings. While the sample size is still small, the Cubs are looking for raw talent ready to make an impression on the big league squad.
A Reliever With ‘Nasty’ Stuff
In describing Bigge’s arm, Lance Brozdowski, Player Development Analyst with Marquee Sports, says the 26-year-old’s stuff is “nasty.” Bigge’s arsenal features a 98 mph four-seam fastball with movement, a cutter that acts more like a “tight slider,” a curve ball with a 14-inch vertical break and nine-inch sweep, and a 14-inch sweeper.
Bigge is nasty. Put him in leverage spots ASAP. 4 plus pitches from a Stuff+ perspective.
Four-seam (49%): 98 mph, 17-18″ vertical, 5.9″ release. Above-average velo and carry.
Cutter (34%): 88 mph, 5-6″ sweep. More tight slider than cutter. 70% whiff at AAA is laughable.
Curve… https://t.co/flHJZdmyf0
— Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz) July 6, 2024
The addition of Bigge could be a boon to an injury-riddled bullpen, to its big arms, in particular. Bigge’s addition continues a recent bullpen shakeup by Chicago in light of these injuries. Daniel Palencia, Adbert Alzolay, Julian Merryweather, Ben Brown, and Caleb Kilian are all working their way back to health, and the presence of a newcomer might add some energy. Palencia is currently on a rehab assignment in the minors, and the Cubs hope to see the return of Merryweather, Brown, and Kilian in or around July.
That would certainly help improve things for the Cubs who are still struggling to stay in contention for a wild card spot this season. Now manager Craig Counsell may be without starter Kyle Hendricks for the near term, leaving two open spots in the rotation. He’ll have to depend on the likes of Drew Smyly and Hayden Wesneski and a bit of long relief to get through it. It’s all hands on deck for Chicago at the moment.
The Cubs have eight games in eight days, including a doubleheader against division rivals the St. Louis Cardinals before the All-Star Break. They know they’re going to need all their reserves. It remains to be seen whether Bigge can continue his good progress in the majors. If he does he could prove to be a big piece for the Cubs going forward.
Cubs Place Brewer on 60-Day IL
On a less positive note, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports the Cubs placed RHP Colten Brewer on the 60-day injured list with a fractured left hand. Apparently, Brewer, 31, sustained the injury when he punched a wall in frustration after his outing against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. In 2/3 of an inning, Brewer gave up three runs on two hits and committed a throwing error.
Chicago Cubs reliever Colten Brewer is going on the 60-day injured list with a fractured left hand after punching a wall in frustration during yesterday’s loss at Wrigley Field.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) July 7, 2024
The journeyman right-hander has a 5.66 ERA with 22 strikeouts and nine walks in 20 2/3 innings with the Cubs this year. The move makes room on the club’s 40-man and active rosters for Bigge. The Cubs listed him on the active roster before Sunday’s game against the Angels, and they are hoping he can make a positive impact.
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