The Cubs have found their closer with the emergence of Daniel Palencia

Finding a viable solution at the back end of the bullpen has not been the easiest of times for the Chicago Cubs.

For better or for worse, the role was initially promised to 36-year-old Ryan Pressly in order for him to approve a trade to the Cubs, but as the season got underway, it was clear Pressly would not be the answer, as his 11 walks and 24 hits have made it almost impossible to use him in high-leverage spots.

The next fix was to try Porter Hodge in the closer role, a pitcher who many argued should have started the season as the closer in the first place. Hodge did not do much better before being shut down due to an oblique strain. After showing promising signs, his recovery took a turn for the worse, with manager Craig Counsell showing concern over his lack of progress.

With their first two options out of the question, the Cubs decided to try Daniel Palencia in the role, with the 25-year-old right-hander making his first appearance in a save situation on May 19 against the Miami Marlins. Palencia walked off the mound as the Marlins walked the game off, allowing two runs in what turned into an 8-7 loss in his first save opportunity.

Daniel Palencia has rebounded and looked sharp as the Cubs' closer

Palencia has pitched in the ninth five times since that fateful night, only allowing one baserunner across the span. He has struck out six batters in five innings of work, limiting baserunners with zero walks as well.

What makes Palencia an ideal candidate is his fastball. He currently is ranked sixth in all of Major League Baseball in average velocity, throwing his fastball at an average speed of 99.2 MPH. 

It is a fastball batters just can’t seem to figure out, with a barrel percentage of 2.1 percent (97th percentile) yielding an opposing batting average of just .120 on the fastball. Palencia uses the fastball 73 percent of the time according to Baseball Savant, and it’s proving to be one of the most effective pitches in all of baseball.

Palencia has excelled this season in limiting the baserunner, utilizing a 28 percent strikeout clip as opposed to only a 9.3 percent walk rate, something Cubs pitchers have struggled with in the bullpen throughout the season.

Fiasco in Miami aside, Palencia has looked incredible in the closer role. Should he continue to sustain his success, it would give the Cubs a huge burst of confidence heading into tight games as the team digs deeper into the playoff chase.