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Chicago Cubs: 4 players to be thankful for: No.4 Justin Steele
One of the downfalls of the Cubs organization during their most recent contending window is the lack of pitching development within the minor league system. Beginning in 2019, the Cubs started to turn a corner with their pitching development and the biggest example of that would be the success that starting pitcher Justin Steele had last season.
In 119 innings pitched last season, Steele posted a 3.18 ERA (3.21 FIP) while posting a 2.6 WAR. What makes Steele's 2022 season most impressive is the success that he had in the second half. In 36 innings pitched during the second half last season, Steele posted a 0.96 ERA (2.76 FIP).
Steele represents the change in the philosophy of the Cubs organization in regard to pitching development. With the success that Steele had in 2022, he enters 2023 with the chance of blossoming into a true top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. If that is the case, then Cubs should be very thankful for what they saw from the starting pitcher in 2022.