NEWSLETTER
I know everyone’s focused on NFL free agency right now, but I couldn’t neglect to point out a Chicago Cubs signing recently reported.
Given how full their minor league system is right now, and having gone exceedingly pitcher-heavy in the 2022 MLB Draft, the Cubs did a whole lot less on the undrafted free agent market this year. You typically see the Cubs among the teams involved in the group of pitchers who were undrafted in the summer, who went on to play ball wherever they could thereafter, who went to Driveline or somewhere similar to train and showcase in January, and then find a minor league deal in advance of Spring Training. This year, there wasn’t much chatter on that front.
But there was a signing!
Only just logged on the transaction wire, former San Diego State lefty Christian Winston was apparently signed by the Cubs a couple weeks ago, and is now in minor league camp.
Winston, 23, pitched four years at San Diego State before adding an extra year at NAIA William Jessup this past season. The results weren’t great at any of those stops, so you can mark this down as a pure scouting play. It’s possible he took his scouting profile to another level this offseason in non-game work, and it does seem from various workout videos out there that he saw his velocity increase quite a bit from his college days.
Ultimately, you’re talking about bringing in a large-framed relief prospect who has already shown he can add velocity (and is low-to-mid-90s before even working with your staff). Cubs like to work with these guys, and see what they can uncover. Nothing to lose. Maybe something to gain.
Some visuals on the 6’5″ lefty:
