What to Expect from Cubs Starting Pitcher Hayden Wesneski

With the roster crunch on, the Chicago Cubs confirmed that one of its team’s high-valued arms will break camp with the team next week. RHP Hayden Wesneski has made the club, giving the 25-year-old a chance at his first extended look in the Majors. Here’s a closer look at the Cubs right-hander.

A Look at Wesneski

Earlier in the month, we highlighted a number of pitchers that were having great Spring Trainings. One was Dodgers RHP Ryan Pepiot, who recently beat out Michael Grove for the fifth spot in the Los Angeles rotation. Another one of those arms was Hayden Wesneski, who will also start the 2023 season in the Majors.

Wesneski, the #12 prospect in the Cubs system according to MLB.com, dominated in the Yankees farm system for a year and a half before being dealt for Scott Effross. The 25-year-old made his MLB debut on September 6 with five scoreless innings and eight strikeouts against the Reds. Across his first 33 innings, Wesneski went 3-2 with a 2.18 ERA and 33 strikeouts.

The Cubs pitcher was one of just 21 pitchers from September 6-October 5 to throw at least 20 IP, average at least a strikeout an inning, and post a sub-3.00 ERA. And out of those 21, Wesneski’s ERA ranked as the tenth-best.

Wesneski relied mainly on three pitches in his first month of Major League action: a mid-90s fastball, a sinker, and a low-80s slider with a lot of movement.

Given his delivery and starting point, it’s far from an easy to pick up, especially when blended with his heater. In addition to those pitches, Wesneski also possess a harder cutter and a changeup.

A Look at the Cubs Rotation

With Wesneski now in the Cubs rotation to start the 2023 season, he will join a group that will include Opening Day starter Marcus Stroman, LHPs Justin Steele and Drew Smyly, and newcomer Jameson Taillon. Kyle Hendricks will not start the season with the Cubs, which opened the door for Wesneski to take a spot in the group of five.

Adrian Sampson, who pitched quite well (3.11 ERA, 73 strikeouts over 104.1 IP) in 2022, was optioned down to Iowa (AAA) after the decision to keep Wesneski up with the big club. Sampson didn’t have the best camp, as he yielded 17 earned runs over 17.2 IP in Cactus League. While it’s hard to make any assumptions about how one will perform in the regular season based off of Spring Training, a great camp by Wesneski put a squeeze on Sampson.

It will, however, be interesting to see whether teams make calls to try to acquire the 31-year-old. Between the aforementioned five starters, Hendricks, and Javier Assad, the Cubs do have a fair amount of depth in the rotation. But, a team like the Yankees — who could be in the market for a starter after a rash of injuries in the spring — are an example of why pitching depth is important.