Porter Hodge

After pitching as both a starter and reliever in 2023, Hodge's role wasn't clear at the dawn of the 2024 campaign. The 23-year-old didn't break camp with Chicago, but showcased his strikeout upside in the minors to earn his first big league promotion in May. He'd eventually return to Triple-A Iowa, but was back up for good in mid-June. Hodge mixed a mid-90's fastball with a devastating sweeper that stifled opposing hitters (.070 BAA) and produced a 52 percent whiff rate that was best in the league for that pitch type and had 16.7 inches of horizontal break, roughly three inches more on average than other right-handers. The right-hander will need to improve his control and cut his 11.6 percent walk rate, but he proved last season that he can be a fixture for the Cubs in high-leverage. Hodge secured eight of the team's last 12 saves in 2024 and currently has a leg up on the closer role, though that may change if Chicago signs or trades for a more experienced option. Read Past Outlooks