Top Prospect DJ Herz Was 'Surprised and Confused' When Cubs Traded Him

Former Chicago Cubs and current Washington Nationals prospect DJ Herz has found success in the Arizona Fall League. We recently sat down with him for an exclusive interview.

Through four starts in the Arizona Fall League, top prospect DJ Herz has showcased his abilities and displayed his potential to one day be a starting pitcher at the Major League level.

The Chicago Cubs selected Herz out of Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina during the eighth round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Over the last four years, Herz climbed the ranks of the Cubs' farm system, earning Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors in 2021, before spending the entire 2023 season in Double-A.

So when Chicago dealt Herz and infield prospect Kevin Made to the Washington Nationals before the trade deadline, in exchange for third baseman Jeimer Candelario, the transaction came as a bit of a shock to the 22 year-old lefty.

I recently sat down with Herz for a longform conversation about his time in the Cubs system, his reaction to being traded, his time in the Arizona Fall League, his favorite players growing up, the time he met A-Rod at a P.F. Chang's, and much, much more!

Jack: What was your favorite show on Nickelodeon growing up?

DJ: Nickelodeon? I think the easy answer is Spongebob. And then Disney, I remember waking up every morning before school, watching Zack and Cody. That was my favorite show.

Jack: Were you a Drake and Josh fan?

DJ: Oh yeah, Drake and Josh, all of them. That was like the time that I went through, when Nickelodeon was at its high.

Jack: Drake and Josh and Zoey 101.

DJ: I remember them. I was a big Drake and Josh and Spongebob fan.

Jack: What are some favorite movies of yours?

DJ: I love Moneyball. Moneyball is one of my favorites.

Jack: Me too.

DJ: This is like "What’s your favorite song?" This is tough because I’ve got so many, but then when you ask me it’s like, I’ve got nothing to say.

Jack: Okay, how about this: Movies that, if you’re scrolling through cable, you find yourself watching a ton?

DJ: Probably The Wolf of Wall Street.

Jack: I was watching that a couple nights ago.

DJ (laughs): It’s always on!

Jack: Who was your favorite player as a kid?

DJ: I’ve got a hitter and a pitcher. My favorite player of all-time was David Ortiz. I don’t know why, but I loved Big Papi and just how he played. Like somebody like that I kind of like played my game after, since I’m a left-handed pitcher, was Clayton Kershaw. And just like how he’s gotten so many Cy Youngs and built his name is like someone I inspire to be.

Jack: Have you gotten to meet either of them yet?

DJ: Never got to meet either of them. I met A-Rod…

Jack: What was that like?

DJ: It was at a P.F. Chang’s in Raleigh at Crabtree Mall. We went to go eat, we had reservations, and they put us in this backroom where there were only like two tables and you could see the cooks, but like everybody else was out there. And we were like, "Why are we sitting by ourselves here?" And walked in A-Rod. And we were like, "There’s no way that’s him." And we’re looking up pictures. And we’re like, "Why would A-Rod be in Raleigh, North Carolina right now?" And it turned out he was watching his nephew play at N.C. State. That was pretty bizarre.

Jack: You’re from Fayetteville, North Carolina. Are you a big Woodpeckers fan?

DJ: So the (Fayetteville) Woodpeckers started when I was just graduating from high school. I was at Opening Day for the Peckers, so it’s really new. And that place is awesome. I got to pitch there one time and it was sick.

Jack: Was that when (Houston Astros pitcher) JP France was pitching there? 2019?

DJ: I don’t know, but he just moved to the same hometown as me. He just moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina. His wife’s from Fayetteville. I remember that because he was asking me to throw with him and I told him I wasn’t in town, and then the season started up.

Jack: Is there an MLB batter that you’d most like to face? A current guy?

DJ: I want to face the best. I’d probably go Ohtani. I just want to face any of them.

Jack: What about Harper? Lefty-lefty matchup?

DJ: I’d love that. I’m not scared of nobody. I’d enjoy that. I’d learn a lot from it, but I would also turn some eyes.

Jack: So, you spent a good amount of time in the Cubs organization. They did some promotional content on you. It seemed like you were pretty happy there. Were you surprised to be traded?

DJ: For sure. It was definitely a surprise. I remember I went golfing because it was our off-day. I went golfing that day and we all got done as a big group, like half the team and I’m just taking a nap and I got a call and I got told I was being traded. The first hour was like, "Wow, I don’t even know what’s going on right now." I was confused. It was pretty surreal, but everything happens for a reason.

Jack: Yeah, what was that experience like for you, coming over in the middle of the year, finding a new organization?

DJ: It was different. I tell my girlfriend, I feel like I was broken up with by the Cubs. But no, it was refreshing. It was cool to take everything I learned from the Cubs, which was a lot, and they helped me develop into the pitcher I am today, and now to go use all that stuff and be able to learn from new guys and take everything there and put it to use there. And it paid off, so it’s been good.

Jack: You mentioned golf. Are you a big-time golfer?

DJ: I was a big-time golfer when COVID started and then I’ve kind of played a little less and picked up a new hobby of fishing. And now, I’m all over fishing.

Jack: I’ll give you a fun golf question. What’s your dream golf foursome?

DJ: I want to play with Michael Jordan. I think I would enjoy it. I feel like Kobe would have to be there, and then one more…

Jack: LeBron?

DJ: Nah, I already took two basketball players. Tom Brady. Let’s go Tom. That’d be sick.

Jack: That’d be a great group. You think you could hold your own with those guys?

DJ: Probably not. Probably not Michael Jordan. He would probably take all my money.

Jack: The trash-talking would be off the charts.

DJ: Yeah, no, it’d be great.

Jack: What’s your pitch mix look like?

DJ: I throw a four-seam fastball. I throw a Vulcan change. And then a spike curve and a slider.

Jack: Did you come out here with any intention of wanting to work on anything in particular?

DJ: I missed the first month of the season and last year I finished at 95 innings. I told them I missed the first month, I want to get some extra innings in this year. I want to break 100 and get to like 110 or 115. So I needed more innings. Also, my big thing is just being in the zone and just throwing strikes. And so what we’re doing here is we want to attack the zone and just be in the zone more.

Jack: How are you enjoying the Fall League?

DJ: It’s nice. It’s very relaxing. It’s really cool to play with these guys and play against some new guys. These hitters are studs. These pitchers are studs. It’s just a great environment of really good baseball and exciting baseball because all these guys, especially from the alumni whose played here, it’s really cool to see.

Jack: You like putting on the Nationals uniform when you go out there?

DJ: Yeah, I love the Nationals uniform. It’s different because I’ve been in a different blue for the last five years — four years — nah, but it’s definitely refreshing and it’s cool to be with a new org.

Jack: I love the aesthetic, watching these games. It’s like an All-Star Game.

DJ: It’s just like a showcase of some of the best hitters. It’s sick.

Jack: Now, DJ, you have James 1:12 in your Instagram bio, I would love for you to share what that Bible verse is and what it means to you.

DJ: Jeez. I put that verse in there when I was just starting high school and I can’t remember it on the spot, but nah, I’ve grown up, my mom’s been super heavy in the church and just believing in God. I make sure I pray every single night. Even if things are going good, I love to pray. When things are going bad, sometimes you need a little bit more. But I always make sure that I’m representing Him (gestures to his cross necklace). I love this. This is my first purchase from when I first signed, and doing all things under Him has been big for me.