6 homegrown pitchers on the Chicago Cubs active roster

2. Javier Assad

Another recent contributor is Javier Assad, who has mostly been deployed as a longer reliever out of the bullpen this year but recently became a permanent fixture in the rotation after Marcus Stroman's probable season-ending rib injury. In five starts in August, Assad has a 2.48 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 29 innings. He first signed with the team as an international free agent from Mexico in 2015. After six seasons in the minors, the right-hander got the major league call in 2022.

Although he had success last year, Assad got major attention in the World Baseball Classic. Assad went into the year as an intriguing relief option, but I don't think anyone was expecting him to be throwing 7-inning starts against the Toronto Blue Jays and Pirates in August. His command and the movement on his breaking pitches makes him a formidable starter and with Stroman's injury and Smyly's struggles, Assad will be a major factor in September and possibly the playoffs.