Cubs Finally Have MLB-Ready Pitchers Who Can Throw Hard

The idea that you have to throw hard and the higher number reads on the radar gun means you're a better pitcher is too simplistic, but let's not overlook the fact that guys who have the ability to consistently put up big velocity numbers do have an easier path to success. Sometimes it does seem that people within baseball are too obsessed over exit velocity and pitch velocity, but that does matter to teams. For the Cubs, it's no surprise that a minor league system that hadn't produced many big-league arms also lacked pitchers who could overpower opposing hitters, but that is quickly changing.

We saw a preview of what could be multiple pitchers eventually being a part of the big-league club showing off some serious heat during Monday's split-squad action.

Right-handed starting pitcher Caleb Kilian was the story of the day as he made his spring debut. He threw two perfect innings, showing great command, while throwing in the high 90s against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In that game, the Cubs had six pitchers who averaged 95mph+ with their four-seam fastball and/or sinker.

In 2022, the Cubs had three pitchers who averaged at least 95mph in Manuel Rodriguez, Chris Martin and Jeremiah Estrada, according to the Statcast leaderboard on Baseball Savant. Overall in MLB, there were 208 pitchers who averaged 95mph or higher during the 2022 season with a minimum of 50 pitches thrown.

And when you go up to 98mph...well.

Those eight pitches at 98mph+ came from two rookies in 2022, seven from Jeremiah Estrada and one from Caleb Kilian.

Back to the Cubs pitchers on Monday. Here's a further breakdown on how hard those guys were throwing.

Caleb Kilian

Pitch Type: Sinker
# of Pitches: 9
AVG Velocity: 95mph
MAX Velocity: 97.1mph

Pitch Type: 4-Seam Fastball
# of Pitches: 5
AVG Velocity: 95.9mph
MAX Velocity: 96.4mph

Anthony Kay

Pitch Type: 4-Seam Fastball
# of Pitches: 6
AVG Velocity: 96mph
MAX Velocity: 96.6mph

Ryan Jensen

Pitch Type: Sinker
# of Pitches: 10
AVG Velocity: 96.2mph
MAX Velocity: 97.9mph

Pitch Type: 4-Seam Fastball
# of Pitches: 5
AVG Velocity: 97.6mph
MAX Velocity: 98.6mph

Jeremiah Estrada

Pitch Type: 4-Seam Fastball
# of Pitches: 9
AVG Velocity: 95.3mph
MAX Velocity: 96.3mph

Cam Sanders

Pitch Type: Sinker
# of Pitches: 6
AVG Velocity: 95.1mph
MAX Velocity: 98.7mph

Pitch Type: 4-Seam Fastball
# of Pitches: 4
AVG Velocity: 96mph
MAX Velocity: 97.2mph

Jordan Holloway

Pitch Type: 4-Seam Fastball
# of Pitches: 1
AVG Velocity: 96.5mph
MAX Velocity: 96.5mph

Meanwhile, at Sloan Park, where the Cubs played against the Cleveland Guardians, two more pitchers were lighting up the radar gun.

But again, I'll emphasize that while throwing hard is a valuable trait for a pitcher, it doesn't automatically mean they're going to be good. We can begin with Nick Burdi in his relief outing against the Guardians. Yes, the 100mph is eye-popping, but he struggled with control and walked three guys along with his two strikeouts.

We've seen Rowan Wick throw 95mph in the past, but unfortunately through the 2022 season, he just couldn't get through his outings without laboring through them. You can add Manuel Rodriguez too, as he threw hard, but struggled to get consistent results with the Cubs. Those two were in the Cubs bullpen last year, but right now there is a big group of pitchers that the team can pick from to replace them.

But the point remains, having more pitchers who can throw harder is a good thing. The Cubs have been lacking in that department, but there are encouraging signs that their own homegrown pitchers, free-agent signings and reclamation projects are now in their organization, throwing harder and getting positive results.

And hello Javier Assad throwing 96-97mph in the World Baseball Classic!