The Chicago Cubs have hired special assistant Tyler Zombro, adding him to the organization as an additional asset for pitchers up and down the system. The 30-year-old has established himself as a respected voice in the coaching community and has worked with Tread Athletics, a training facility based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
You know it's a big deal when ESPN's Jeff Passan is reporting the hire.
The Chicago Cubs are hiring Tyler Zombro as a special assistant, sources tell ESPN. Zombro, 30, has become one of baseball’s preeminent pitching trainers at Tread Athletics, and he’ll work in all areas of Chicago’s organization to help improve the performance of the Cubs’ arms.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 18, 2024
People within the baseball industry are raving about this hiring.
Via Cubs prospect writer Bryan Smith.
Text from an industry insider that somehow, I can’t figure out how, happens to know what team I root for: “This is a massive get. One of the smartest people in the sport.”
There have been some game-changing hires in pitching departments this offseason (Hezel with MIA, Desi with NYM, etc).
— Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz) November 18, 2024
Add Zombro to the list. 🔥 https://t.co/BA4hw6epTE
Former Cubs minor league pitcher Max Bain.
Those that know ball know this is a MASSIVE get for the @Cubs https://t.co/2r8aEGsdgL
— Max Bain (@mbain_38) November 18, 2024
Obviously the objective here is improve the pitchers already in the Cubs organization, but I can't help to think the Cubs are trying to make themselves as attractive of a destination as possible for incoming free agents.
And well, if the Cubs aren't expected to be at the top of the market, we know they're going to pursue Roki Sasaki. Before the Zombro hiring, there was news that the Cubs also partnered with a Japanese firm that will include hands-on assistance in spring training.
Per Asia Nikkei the Chicago Cubs will reportedly collaborate with Japanese firm, Next Base. This will include Next Base analysts in spring training and according to Next Base using sensors to measure pitchers' fingertip motion, spin and energy efficiency.https://t.co/rOuKnb0CNE
— Greg Zumach (@IvyFutures) November 11, 2024
Criticize the Cubs for not going above and beyond in free-agent dollars, but it appears as though they're making big-time moves behind the scenes.
Zombro pitched for James Madison University and then signed with the Tampa Bay Rays after going un-drafted in 2017. He made it up to Triple-A by the end of the 2019 season, didn't pitch in 2020, when the minor league season was canceled and then returned in 2021. Unfortunately, Zombro suffered a horrific incident during the 2021 season, when a 104mph line drive hit his head during a game at Triple-A. The pitcher lost consciousness and was rushed to the hospital after having a seizer. Zombro underwent surgery to repair a skull fracture.
After going through physical rehab, speech therapy and occupational therapy Zombro returned to the field and reported to spring training in 2022. He pitched in his first game since the incident on April 24, 2022, but he only appeared in two games at Triple-A before having surgery to correct thoracic outlet syndrome that ended Zombro's 2022 season. The Rays released Zombro a few days before the start of the 2023 season.
Zombro signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers in the middle of the 2023 season, but only pitched twice and while he returned to the Rangers' organization in 2024, he did not appear in a game as Zombro was dealing with nerve issues and retired in Aug. 2024.
You can learn more about Zombro below.
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