Cubs pitchers are showing off their stuff on social media
Until further notice, MLB pitchers and catchers cannot report to their Spring Training facilities to get a jump start on the upcoming 2022 season due to the lockout. We are only a few weeks away from the mandatory report date for pitchers and catchers, and the outlook isn’t good. This is not stopping players from working out and prepping, however. Over the past week, several Chicago Cubs pitchers have shown off their pitching sessions on social media, including the newly signed Marcus Stroman. It gives fans at least a glimpse at how they are working on their craft this offseason.
Cubs pitchers posting workout videos all over Twitter
Marcus Stroman posted several videos on his Twitter account of him throwing different pitches while working out at Eddy D. Field Stadium at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. This includes two sliders, split-change and “split-cambio“. Stroman also mentioned he was working with Cincinnati Reds prospect Hunter Greene.
Stroman put some pretty sick movement on his pitches, and as fans know he is more of a pitch-to-contact guy than the typical modern-day ace. Though he can still miss some bats when needed. Stroman is the Cubs’ shiny new toy and it is cool to see how he throws some of his pitches. Not many people can throw a baseball and put that type of movement.
Another great sight to see was lefty reliever Brad Wieck posting a video of him getting back on the mound. The 30-year-old Wieck has been part of the Cubs organization since 2019, and in small sample size has shown significant upside. Sadly he has had several injury obstacles, including needing several heart procedures. He appeared in 15 games last year and gave up zero earned runs while pitching to a 1.64 FIP and striking out 28 hitters in 17 innings. Do not underestimate how important this guy can potentially be for the Cubs bullpen.
2014 fifth-round draft pick Justin Steele also got in on the video action this week. The 26-year-old lefty made his MLB debut with the Cubs last year as he worked out of the bullpen and made some starts, too. Steele’s production out of the pen was pretty impressive while the starts saw mixed results. Not unexpected from a rookie hurler. He is another guy who can potentially be an important cog in the Cubs pitching staff, whether he is the five-starter or reliever. Be sure to listen to the beautiful cannon-like sound the ball makes when it hits the catcher’s glove.
https://twitter.com/J_Steele21/status/1483522450742820881
Right now fans will eat up any sort of baseball content. As mentioned earlier the outlook of the lockout does not look promising, but one can hope for a miracle.