The Chicago Cubs struggled all season to find an effective closer, and it may have cost them their playoff chances.
Early on, 2023 incumbent Adbert Alzolay struggled mightily before losing the closer title. Hector Neris stepped in and did a decent job at times, but eventually got dumped so the Cubs could save some money.
Overall, the Cubs have blown 21 saves this season, and as of Friday, they're five games out of playoff position. It's easy to look back on some of those wins that turned into losses and think about how different this season could have been.
However, things took an unexpected turn towards the end of the season. Out of nowhere, the Cubs may have found their closer of the future.
Porter Hodge, a 23-year-old rookie who the Cubs picked in the 13th round of the 2019 draft, has been electric this season. He took over the closer role after Neris was designated for assignment, and hasn't allowed an earned run ever since.
Hodge has been so good that baseball fans all over the country have begun taking notice. Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter named him as the Cubs' "hidden gem" for the 2024 season on Friday.
"Porter Hodge has emerged as a consistent late-inning option in a bullpen filled with question marks," Reuter said.
"The 23-year-old has a pristine 1.66 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 10.9 K/9 in 34 appearances since making his MLB debut on May 22, and he has steadily earned more high-leverage opportunities as the season has unfolded."
One additional thing that makes Hodge so effective is his extension. His 95.5 mile-per-hour average fastball isn't slow by any means, but it plays up because he gets 7.3 feet of extension, which ranks in the 97th percentile, per Baseball Savant.
Hodge has not pitched since Tuesday, when he picked up the save against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but momentarily paused the game due to a scare involving a reported heart condition.
Though the Cubs' closer struggles played a key role in their undoing this year, things could even out if Hodge proves to be this effective for the long haul. He's earned the chance to carry the job title into the spring.
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