Long-lost former second-overall draft pick Danny Hultzen has been trying to reestablish himself as a relief pitcher with the Cubs. Yesterday marked an important milestone in that effort, as he was formally activated for the first time at the organization’s top affiliate.
Hultzen had already been in uniform at Triple-A Iowa, but was technically operating in a rehab capacity. His initial showing has been rather promising, as he’s now through 3 2/3 innings of scoreless ball having recorded six strikeouts while allowing only a pair of baserunners (one hit, one walk).
Cubs president of baseball ops Theo Epstein has acknowledged that hurdles remain for Hultzen to get a shot at the majors, but indicates he’s seen internally as having a real chance. With the Chicago pen in need of depth down the stretch, particularly from the left side, Hultzen suddenly seems to be an interesting option.
Now 29 years of age, Hultzen’s dash towards the majors was halted back in 2013, when he impressed at Triple-A but ended up blowing out his arm by trying to pitch through injuries. Hultzen discussed his collapse and quiet reengagement with the game in a great interview with Dillon Mullan of the Washington Post. While he did appear on the bump last year in the Cubs system, the outcome remained entirely uncertain. This year’s increasingly eye-opening showing has still made for quite a pleasant surprise.
Cinderella story! Best of luck, Danny!
Agreed. Would be cool even tho I’m a bucs fan
Would be a great story if he could reach mlb level
One of the Mariners ‘Big Three’. Hope he makes. Seemed like a good kid who just didn’t speak up when he should have.
The third one is escaping me.. hultzen, paxton…….. ???
hmm…I can’t think of another pitcher, but maybe Ackley?
No, there was another pitcher
Guy down below says taijuan walker !!! That’s it haha
Small 3?
How could you all forget the crown jewel of the three: Taijuan Walker?
Well I’m not particularly a mariners fan even though I live in the Pacific Northwest…. just escaped my memory haha
I’m a Brewers fan but remember Walker being considered “untouchable” by almost everyone.
Wasn’t there a Ramirez or a Sanchez? Or was it Beavan?
Walker
Good luck to Danny
He was amazing in college
I watched him a little at UVA and he was great
He was never on rehab. He’s been there for a month.
I too wish him best of luck.
Awesome story. Let’s get Merrifield and make the playoff push
Hultzen looks very promising. Good job finding diamonds in the rough. Robel Garcia is off to a good start in MLB, too.
The Mariners big 3 was suppose to be Taijuan Walker, James Paxton and Danny Hultzen but never happened
But two of those guys turned out to be good starting pitchers— which ain’t bad odds in the prospect game.
I remember wanting my Brewers to trade for him back then. I always thought his stuff was filthy and he would be a good if not great MLB pitcher.
Seattle probably should have drafted Francisco Lindor instead.
Actually, at the time EVERYONE thought M’s would nab Rendon, he could’ve moved to 2B and we NEVER would’ve signed Cano to that ridiculous 10-yr contract! TERRIBLE pick at the time!! Rendon should’ve been a No-Brainer!!!
I imagine Seattle was scared off by Rendons injury. I was worried when Seattle drafted Danny he was going to take the family money and go to med school. Typical pick under the last two GMs.
That 2011 draft was loaded with future all stars and several highly rated pitchers who just never panned out.
Even through all of the injuries, his MiLB numbers are really good. Would be a great story if he can make it to the show.
Why does chisox ALWAYS stalk the Cubbies news? AND say our players suck? They wont get to the playoffs in the next 6 years at LEAST.. so he’s/she’s gotta hate?… I think deep down she is jealous.
It’s certainly an unhealthy and transparent obsession. Dude is a clown, clearly a closet Cub fan.
Even worse, there was a very relevant story about Eloy Jimenez yesterday and the VERY FIRST COMMENT was by him, with a shot at the Cubs. He even trolls White Sox stories to babble about the Cubs. Again, it was a very relevant story about Eloy’s injury…had zero to do with the Cubs.
I hope hes better than Cishek or Edwards Jr
DFA Descaldso or Maldonado when Contreas is back at 100%. My guess is he’ll be a September call up.
Cishek has been great for the cubs for two years might want to check again
If he’s better than Cishek (or as good as Edwards) the Cubs are in pretty good shape. Cishek has been really good (oh—you’re probably the guy that will focus on the home run he gave up and not the twelve scoreless outings before). Imagine having Chisek as the fifth best option in the bullpen…..WOW!!!!
Lately cishek has been bad. Cubs should have easily swept the reds. He was the reason they did not
You actually made me look. “Lately Cishek has been bad.” In his last nine appearances, going back three weeks, he has allowed EXACTLY ONE EARNED RUN. ONE! To my point—-you’re the guy that focuses on the home run and completely misses the rest of the month. Thanks for proving my point. Guess what—-as the season goes on Kris Bryant is going to strikeout, Lester is going to lose a game or two, Javy is going to make an error, somebody is going to be safe on a Contreras pickoff, etc. I hope you don’t try to DFA them also.
Mike127 – couldn’t agree more. It’s ridiculous when people do that. Another scoreless frame today protecting a one run lead. Casual “fans” only remember the run someone gives up not the 10 scoreless appearances sandwiches around the one run they allow
No way is Maldonado DFA’d
Then they can flip him for cash
Are you that way or are you just playing that way?
Trade Caratini, Happ and Hatch for Will Smith
Replace Caratini with Maldonado and hatch with someone else.. someone not in their top 30..he’s a rental he’s not worth a top 30 prospect
Wut
The Nats should try to acquire him and dump Matt Grace. Then we could acquire Mark Reynolds and we could have 4 Virginia Cavaliers lol.