Chicago Cubs' Prospect Hayden Wesneski Inches Closer to Promotion

Pitcher Hayden Wesneski, the Cubs' 12th-ranked prospect, could see a debut in the majors before the end of the season.

As the Chicago Cubs dealt away multiple relief pitchers at this year’s Major League Baseball trade deadline, the organization received promising prospects in return that would hopefully help them in returning to the postseason and beyond in the near future.

However, one of them was right-handed pitching prospect Hayden Wesneski, who could see a promotion to the majors leagues as soon as this year.

Wesneski, who was traded to the Cubs from the New York Yankees for relief pitcher Scott Effross, has a 6-9 record with a 4.22 ERA across 100.1 IP this season in Triple-A. Before joining the Iowa Cubs, the 24-year-old began the year with the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders.

The Sam Houston State product was drafted by the Yankees in the sixth round of the 2019 MLB Draft. The young righty gained high praise in the New York organization after rising from Single-A to Triple-A in just one season in 2021.

At 6’3’’, he primarily uses a fastball that can top out at 98 mph, a two-seam fastball that sits in the mid-90s, and a slider in the low 80s. His changeup is still a work in progress.

Despite his high ERA, his overall numbers on the season indicate that he is progressing well. Across 22 starts this season, he is on pace to set a career-high in innings pitched, and a career-best K/BB at 3.00.

Just before he was dealt to Chicago, July was been the best month of the season for him, posting a 4-0 record in five starts with a 2.19 ERA in 24.2 innings of work. The month also saw two consecutive outings of six scoreless innings.

Pitching prospect Hayden Wesneski in a 2022 spring training outing with the Yankees before being dealt to Cubs.   / © Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Wesneski’s solid performances are backed up by the stats he’s posted in Triple-A this season, making it no surprise that he is close to a call-up.

Compared to all qualified starters in the International League, the Cubs prospect ranks within the top 10 in multiple impressive pitching categories: ERA (8th), strikeouts (5th), earned runs allowed (7th), K/BB (6th), and 5th in both K% and K/9.

Just last week, he pitched his best outing for Triple-A Iowa, delivering a five-inning, one-hit shutout against Pittsburgh Pirates' affiliate, Indianapolis Indians.

As the Cubs continue their slow march to the end of this season—with eyes already set on next year—it would be wise for Chicago to give Wesneski a chance to make his debut and gain experience at the major league level.

With the news of Kyle Hendricks being shut down for the season, Wesneski could offer the Cubs a starter, and a chance to prime himself to compete for a spot in next year’s starting rotation. 

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