{"id":39255,"date":"2025-03-07T00:25:06","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T00:25:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=39255"},"modified":"2025-03-07T00:25:06","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T00:25:06","slug":"cubs-already-have-a-horse-who-can-fill-pitching-needs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=39255","title":{"rendered":"Cubs Already Have &#8216;A Horse&#8217; Who Can Fill Pitching Needs"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"post-featured-container-id\">\n<div id=\"post-featured\">\n<div>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown-feature.jpg?quality=65&amp;strip=all&amp;w=780\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 820px) 95vw, 780px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown-feature.jpg?quality=65&amp;strip=all&amp;w=780 780w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown-feature.jpg?quality=15&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1100 1100w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown-feature.jpg?quality=35&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1350 1350w\" alt=\"Cubs Already Have 'A Horse' Who Can Fill Pitching Needs\" width=\"780\" height=\"439\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The <\/span>Chicago Cubs <span data-contrast=\"auto\"> entered spring training in February <\/span>hoping to solidify their pitching rotation <span data-contrast=\"auto\"> with a fifth starter. <\/span>Justin Steele <span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span>Shota Imanaga <span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span>Jameson Taillon <span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Matthew Boyd <span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0were set to fill the top four spots for the team, so it would primarily be a matter of figuring out who emerged as starter No. 5.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">According to Steele, the Cubs already have someone on the staff who can more than carry the load.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Talking to the North Side Territory podcast <span data-contrast=\"auto\"> shortly before camp opened, Steele raved about the potential of right-hander <\/span>Ben Brown <span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThe dude\u2019s a horse,\u201d Steele said.\u00a0\u201cThe way he works out in the weight room and just the intensity of, like, his catch play and his Bullpen work, it\u2019s impressive.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Ben Brown Had Impressive Rookie Season Before Neck Issue<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_5291559\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown-and-Yan-Gomes.jpg?quality=65&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown-and-Yan-Gomes.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown-and-Yan-Gomes.jpg?resize=150,84 150w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown-and-Yan-Gomes.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown-and-Yan-Gomes.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown-and-Yan-Gomes.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown-and-Yan-Gomes.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown-and-Yan-Gomes.jpg?resize=782,440 782w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown-and-Yan-Gomes.jpg?resize=780,439 780w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown-and-Yan-Gomes.jpg?resize=425,239 425w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown-and-Yan-Gomes.jpg?resize=660,371 660w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown-and-Yan-Gomes.jpg?resize=320,180 320w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown-and-Yan-Gomes.jpg?resize=267,150 267w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown-and-Yan-Gomes.jpg?resize=225,127 225w\" alt=\"Cubs Already Have 'A Horse' Who Can Fill Pitching Needs\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5291559\" data-lazy-load=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-5291559\">GettyChicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown, seen with catcher Yan Gomes, had an impressive rookie season in 2024, posting a 3.58 ERA in 15 appearances before he was shut down with a neck issue.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Brown, 25, didn\u2019t leave spring training with the Cubs last season, but <\/span>they called him up for his Major League debut on March 30 <span data-contrast=\"auto\"> after Steele was placed on the injured list, and Brown became a valuable player for manager Craig Counsell, starting eight games and appearing in 15 overall. Brown posted a 3.58 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 55.1 innings pitched but went on the injury list in late June with <\/span>a neck issue that would plague him for the rest of the season <span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Brown would eventually be diagnosed with an osteoma, which is a new piece of bone growing as a benign tumor on another piece of bone. The only remedy is time, as Brown\u2019s doctor assured him that osteomas eventually go away, usually in two or three months.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sure enough, by October, Brown noticed an immediate improvement.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI just woke up one morning, took a shower and it was just night and day,\u201d he said.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Steele said it was good to see Brown feeling good and throwing strong just before spring training opened, adding that he would not be surprised to see Brown become a leader of the rotation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cTo see [Brown] being that spring chicken that he is, and doing the lifts, throwing with full effort and all that stuff, having that personality that he always had, you know, it\u2019s just fun being around him,\u201d Steele said. \u201cJust watching him throw his bullpens, go through his work, you know the guy\u2019s going to be a stud if he gets a full season under his belt.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Ben Brown Has Makeup, Abilities To Be \u2018A Legit Ace\u2019<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_5291560\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown.jpg?quality=65&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown.jpg?resize=150,84 150w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown.jpg?resize=782,440 782w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown.jpg?resize=780,439 780w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown.jpg?resize=425,239 425w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown.jpg?resize=660,371 660w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown.jpg?resize=320,180 320w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown.jpg?resize=267,150 267w, https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ben-Brown.jpg?resize=225,127 225w\" alt=\"Cubs Already Have 'A Horse' Who Can Fill Pitching Needs\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5291560\" data-lazy-load=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-5291560\">GettyChicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Steele isn\u2019t the only person who feels that way. In <\/span>an interesting breakdown on X (formerly Twitter) <span data-contrast=\"auto\">, The Wrigley Wire gives a thought-provoking take on why Brown \u201ccould be a legit ace:\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">First off, let\u2019s talk about 2024. Before a fluke neck injury ended his season, Ben Brown was dominant in his 55.1 innings: a 3.58 ERA &amp; 3.11 FIP. That\u2019s impressive in itself, but there\u2019s more to the story.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Exclude his first start where he surrendered 6 ER in 1.2 IP, and you get: 53.2 IP 2.68 ERA 0.99 WHIP 63 SO 10.6 K\/9 30% K rate .191 Opp BA 2.79 FIP That\u2019s a really impressive stretch out of a young pitcher.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What stands out about that? His 30% strikeout rate. That\u2019s elite for a starter, especially when you realize most of those Ks came via his \u201cdeath ball\u201d \u2013 the knuckle curve.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>(link to video of Brown\u2019s knuckle curve included) <span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Let\u2019s break it down: \u2013 44 of his 64 Ks came from that one pitch. \u2013 Batters hit just .141 against it. \u2013 They slugged .294. This pitch is absolutely filthy. It\u2019s a game-changer, among the best of its kind. Oh, and he tosses his fastball in the upper 90s.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">But there\u2019s more potential here: This spring, we\u2019ve seen him flash a changeup. He did throw one in \u201824, but it was a rarity. If he can make that a serviceable pitch, it will make him even tougher to hit. Right now, he\u2019s mostly a two-pitch guy. A third weapon? Scary.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Of course, no pitcher is without their flaws. Brown ranked in the 1st, 5th, and 1st percentiles for Avg EV, Barrel%, and Hard-Hit%. So he got hit hard at times, and it wasn\u2019t all smooth sailing. This suggests some luck in his performance.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">But even with those numbers, he was still highly effective. His raw stuff, combined with elite strikeouts and decent command, shows there\u2019s real ace potential here.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019m not saying he\u2019s an ace right now, but by the end of 2025? I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if we see Ben Brown at the top of the rotation. His stuff is simply too good to ignore.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Dave Benson Dave Benson is a longtime writer with over three decades of experience in a variety of mediums, including 15 years covering high school, collegiate and minor league sports in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Dave is also a licensed English teacher and spent a few years teaching at the middle school level. More about Dave Benson<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chicago starter Justin Steele raves about the potential of Ben Brown, who had an impressive rookie season in 2024 before he was injured.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":39256,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39255","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Cubs Already Have &#039;A Horse&#039; Who Can Fill Pitching Needs - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=39255\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Cubs Already Have &#039;A Horse&#039; 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