5 feel-good Chicago Cubs stories heading into Opening Day

Hayden Wesneski earned the fifth spot in the starting rotation

For all the hype of the improved farm system and the wealth of pitching, fans are still itching to see more results at the big league level. Justin Steele has looked great so far, but the Cubs are building a pitching factory, and seeing a homegrown ace is the dream right now. Wesneski has looked like he could be that ace one day. He started turning heads when the Cubs called him up after trading Scott Effross to acquire him from the Yankees. A 2.18 ERA with a 0.939 WHIP in 33 innings in the majors coupled with an immaculate inning showed the promise he had.

Well, he just kept doing it in Spring. His ERA stayed at 2.12 with a 1.118 WHIP and 22 strikeouts in 17 innings. Aside from one start against the Dodgers, which itself still had plenty of positives, he was nearly perfect in pre-season play. With that performance and Adrian Sampson's struggles, he forced the Cubs' hand to name him the fifth starter. There's so much more to love about Wesneski than just numbers though. His individual pitches are among the best the organization has including his elite 60-grade slider. Despite being only 25, he carries himself on the mound with a veteran ace-like mentality, never shaking even at the slightest sign of trouble.

Between the hype of seeing Wesneski start in the majors and the emotional reaction he had when finding out he made the team, it's a seriously great moment for the organization and the fans wanting to see him blossom into a stud over a season.