The Chicago Cubs won their spring training opener, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 12-4 on Thursday. Just great to see baseball again. You know what was also great to see? How about Cubs prospect Ivan Brethowr blasting a nuke that caught everyone's attention at Camelback Ranch.
It's not hard to miss Brethowr, who was listed at 6-foot-6, 250 pounds out of UC Santa Barbra. Now, he's officially on the radar for Cubs fans tuning into spring training action following his three-run bomb against the Dodgers.
Already has the pimp job down to a tee too.
Ivan Brethowr, Cubs 7th round pick in 2024, 6-foot-6, 250 pounds. His coach compared him to Aaron Judge (lol) BUT here’s Brethowr hitting a BOMB pic.twitter.com/kmVdBh1UlS
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) February 20, 2025
That was the hardest-hit ball by any Cubs player in the team's first spring training game. Brethowr obliterated a 92mph fastball from lefty Jose E. Hernandez. The three-run homer had an exit velocity of 108.4mph.
Because of his size Brethowr could not escape the Aaron Judge comparisons in college. And well, as you saw by the stance, the swing and even how he runs the bases, I see why his coach couldn't resist to make the comp.
The Cubs landed UC Santa Barbara OF Ivan Brethowr in the 7th round. I had a late-fourth round grade on him. The Aaron Judge comps are inevitable (and unfair). pic.twitter.com/IsXK8GhBxn
— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) July 15, 2024
The 21-year-old was taken in the seventh round of the 2024 draft by the Cubs. Despite the big power, Brethowr did struggle in his first stint in the minor leagues, slashing .169/.274/.253, in 95 plate appearances.
Man, that power is always going to be attractive, so don't be surprised if Ivan Brethowr suddenly becomes a fan favorite if he keeps hitting bombs down in Arizona.
