Cubs Sign Former Top Cardinals Draft Pick

The Cubs have signed former top Cardinals draft pick Jake Woodford to a minor league deal as the organization continues to search for pitching depth at Triple-A. Woodford, 28, recently opted out of his contract with the Yankees and on Thursday the right-handed pitcher officially signed with the Cubs.

Woodford has been at Triple-A from the start of the 2025 season and now he'll head over to Iowa, where he'll join a depleted starting rotation.

Woodford posted a 4.54 ERA in 39.2 innings pitching for the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate this year. He most recently pitched in the majors in 2024, making two starts for the White Sox and appeared in seven total games with the Pirates.

Woodford was picked 39th overall out of high school in the 2015 MLB Draft by the Cardinals and by 2020 the right-handed pitcher reached the big leagues. His first cup of coffee in the majors wasn't all that good as Woodford had a 5.57 ERA in 21 innings. However, he did become a solid contributor for the Cardinals in 2021-22, recording a 3.26 ERA in 116 innings.

The right-hander has been versatile throughout his career, making 25 starts while also being used as a multi-inning reliever or whatever role he's been asked to fill. Woodford's best season came in 2022, when he had 2.23 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 27 games with the Cardinals. Yet, even with that success Woodford wasn't a permanent member in the bullpen for St. Louis and after the end of the 2023 season the pitcher was non-tendered.

In 2024, Woodford signed on with the White Sox and after making 10 starts at Triple-A he was called up. His time with the White Sox was short, lasting only two starts. Woodford gave up 10 earned runs in 8.1 innings and was designated for assignment in June. He eventually elected free agency to pursue another opportunity.

The Pirates signed Woodford and he had a great showing for them at Triple-A, putting up a 2.29 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 35.1 innings that earned him a promotion in late July. He was great in his first four games with the Pirates, which included two starts where Woodford did not give up an earned run in 11.1 innings combined. Unfortunately for him, Woodford was hit hard in his next three outings to the tune of a 12.00 ERA in 12 innings.

Overall in 89 MLB games Woodford has recorded a 4.88 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. He doesn't overmatch hitters with his stuff, averaging 92-93mph with his fastball and that's why his strikeout numbers are below average at a 15.2 K%. Woodford did have back-to-back seasons of producing a ground ball rate above 50%, which is good, but despite that he's given up way too many home runs in the past two years, nearly two per nine innings pitched.

So, we'll see what the Cubs can do with Woodford. Right now Kenta Maeda is the main backup starting pitcher who is healthy at Triple-A for the Cubs. Woodford probably won't be needed, but you always need as much depth as possible in case something goes wrong on the big-league roster. At least Woodford has MLB experience in case the team needs an emergency arm.