The Chicago Cubs have added more depth from the left side, signing 30-year-old Jake Brentz. The left-handed pitcher last appeared in the majors for the Kansas City Royals. but he's coming over from the American Association of Professional Baseball, where he was playing for the Kansas City Monarchs this season.
The Monarchs announced Brentz's new gig with the Cubs a few days ago.
Brentz was originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2013 out of high school. After getting traded a few times during his minor league career Brentz cracked the Opening Day roster of the Royals in 2021. The left-handed reliever put up solid numbers out of Kansas City's bullpen, posting a 3.66 ERA in 72 outings in his rookie season.
He was only one of seven left-handed relievers to throw as many as 64 innings in 2021. Brentz also had a pretty good strikeout rate of 27.3%
An arm injury cut the lefty reliever's 2022 season short as Brentz was limited to only eight appearances before eventually undergoing Tommy John surgery in July. Brentz remained in the Royals' minor league system for the next few years, but as he was making his return from the elbow surgery Brentz suffered a setback. In Aug. 2023, Brentz was shut down after he made three rehab appearances because of a lat strain.
In 2024, Brentz made 34 total appearances in the minors and struggled with an 11.40 ERA in 30 innings of work.
The left-handed pitcher still has two option years remaining. He's featured some high velocity that led to Brentz signing with the Tampa Bay Rays this past offseason.
Now, the Cubs organization has its hands on Brentz and will try to unlock his potential. Maybe it's simply a matter of getting healthy again for the 30-year-old because he started off great in the majors before going down with Tommy John surgery.
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