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2V176.2z%20M1059.4%2C84.2h-22.2V57.5V23.8h22.2V25V84.2z%22%0A%09%09%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
Chicago Cubs manager David Ross provided an update on the team's starting rotation on Saturday with the announcement that Javier Assad, Adrian Sampson, and Hayden Wesneski will be primary candidates for the fifth starter's spot.
Not mentioned in the mix for the last spot in the Cubs' starting rotation was Keegan Thompson. Thompson posted a 3.76 ERA in 115 innings pitches with the Cubs last season. Toward the end of the season, the Cubs stretched Thompson out and that led to him having 17 starts. Thompson appeared in 29 games overall for the Cubs last season and Ross confirmed to reporters on Saturday that the 27-year-old pitcher will pitch out of the bullpen in 2023.
David Ross said he sees Keegan Thompson in a multi-inning bullpen role, as opposed to competing for that fifth starter spot. He thrived in that role last year, often in high-leverage spots.
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) February 18, 2023
As a reliever last season, Thompson posted a 1.47 ERA in 36.2 innings pitched. Thompson will essentially serve as the "bullpen ace" for the Cubs in 2023 as he will have the ability to pitch multiple innings at a time with the hope of shutting down the opposing offense.
Chicago Cubs infield prospect Yonathan Perlaza is a unit.
#Cubs prospect Yonathan Perlaza is HUGE 😳
— Cubs Zone ™️ (@CubsZone) February 19, 2023
(📸: @ScottyChags) pic.twitter.com/iOuw2uqy5x
During the 2022 season, Christopher Morel was a breakout prospect for the Cubs as he made his Major League debut in May and was able to remain with the Major League through the remainder of the season. It is not out of the question to think that Cubs' infield prospect Yonathan Perlaza could have a similar ascension in 2023. Perlaza is capable of playing second base as well as each corrner spot in the outfielder. Last season, with Double-A Tennessee, Perlaza slashed .255/.358/.492 with 23 home runs.
Chicago Cubs prospect Crisitian Hernandez is now on Twitter
2023💯⚾️ pic.twitter.com/Bqw8MdyN4n
— Cristian Hernandez (@c_hernandez_15) February 19, 2023
2023 is set to be Cristian Hernandez's first full season of professional baseball and there is an expectation that he could place him near the top of the Cubs' prospect rankings by season's end.
Chicago Cubs Spring Training Tweets
Cubs prospects Pete Crow-Armstrong, Brennen Davis and Kevin Alcantara taking BP at the backfields at Sloan Park pic.twitter.com/gNHt17GLNw
— Ryan Herrera (@ryan_a_herrera) February 18, 2023
.@Cody_Bellinger is excited for the outfield trio of himself, Seiya Suzuki & Ian Happ. pic.twitter.com/gw6gUmvtAz
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) February 19, 2023
Seiya is a ✨ vibe ✨ pic.twitter.com/CrAZ9IsDDJ
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 18, 2023
Cubs top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong making it look easy today shagging balls on the backfields of camp. #NextStartsHere @WatchMarquee pic.twitter.com/SAh8QlpXs3
— Scott Changnon (@ScottyChags) February 19, 2023
More delivery variations and messing with timing all future. pic.twitter.com/a2fyzB7wbX
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) February 19, 2023