Latest Cubs' organizational move adds blockbuster hire to pitching infrastructure

On Monday, MLB Insider Jeff Passan reported that the Chicago Cubs have hired pitching performance specialist Tyler Zombro as a special assistant to the front office.

Zombro is a former minor-league pitcher who has transitioned to the private sector as a pitching coach. From 2017-2023, Zombro pitched in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, a team that is regarded as best-in-class when it comes to pitching development. In 2021, Zombro suffered a freak injury when he took a 104 mph line drive to the head. This injury resulted in persistent nerve damage that ultimately led to his retirement in August.

Although Zombro's days as a professional pitcher came to an end before he made it to the big-league level, the 30-year-old has been transitioning into the player development arena for years now. Zombro is a key member of Tread Athletics, a baseball coaching center that uses cutting-edge analytics to offer pitchers detailed roadmaps for improving their performance on the field.

From browsing the organization's website and YouTube page, Tread Athletics seems to emphasize transparency and helping players determine what it is specifically that they need to improve on and implementing a roadmap to achieve success. Zombro himself said that he was frustrated by the lack of upfront transparency from his coaches and organizations early in his baseball career, citing a handful of coaches who weren't afraid to tell him uncomfortable truths as examples of his performance improving.

Tread Athletics' team determines these areas of need by establishing a strong relationship between the player and the coach through remote sessions, instructional videos, and a constant line of communication. Zombro has been part of the development of prominent MLB pitchers like Kansas City Royals ace Cole Ragans, Detroit Tigers closer Jason Foley, and former Cub Jason Adam. All of these players turned their careers around after working with Tread Athletics.

How can these skills transfer to the Cubs?

Nobody is really privy to what exactly Zombro will be doing on a day-to-day basis, but I think it's safe to say he will be heavily involved in the pitching development side. Passan's Tweet suggested Zombro will be working in all areas of the organization to help improve performance. Tread Athletics also made an X post congratulating Zombro, which said he would also be working with Cubs leadership on player acquisitions.

Judging from Treads' videos, they are focused on all aspects of being a major league player in an effort to improve results. If he can transfer this philosophy over to the Cubs, Zombro can likely be a valuable asset when it comes to managing injury as the team saw numerous key blows to the pitching staff in 2024. Drafting pitchers, developing current arms and acquiring others via waiver transactions could also be areas where Zombro can accelerate the Cubs on an organizational level. It's also beneficial that Zombro was hired before free agents really began to sign this offseason, possibly making him a factor in who the Cubs sign this year.

This move is consistent with recent reports of the team embracing even more of an analytical approach moving forward. Just judging by his videos and the industry reaction to the move, Zombro seems like a well-liked personality and pitching guru who can elevate the Cubs' already strong pitching infrastructure and hopefully help them return to the playoffs.