The Cubs announced Tuesday that they’ve designated right-hander Duane Underwood Jr. for assignment in order to open a spot on the 40-man roster for Ryan Tepera, whose previously reported one-year deal is now official.
Underwood, 26, was a second-round pick back in 2012 and has spent parts of the past three seasons in the Majors with Chicago. On the one hand, Underwood’s 5.20 ERA in that time is obviously an eyesore. On the other, Underwood has punched out 27.7 percent of his opponents against a strong 7.7 percent walk rate while averaging better than 94 mph on his heater. He whiffed a career-high 30.7 percent of opponents in 20 2/3 innings last year and also recorded a career-best 15 percent swinging-strike rate.
Home runs have been Underwood’s undoing, as he’s been tagged for eight round-trippers in just 36 1/3 big league innings (2.0 HR/9). That’s likely due in large part to a four-seamer that doesn’t miss bats at a prolific rate and has well below-average spin. Underwood decreased the usage of that four-seamer in 2020 and instead leaned into his curveball and particularly his changeup at career-high rates. The latter pitch was particularly encouraging, as evidenced by a huge 53.2 percent whiff rate from opponents.
At the end of the day, however, the results simply weren’t there for Underwood. He yielded four homers on that four-seamer, and opponents batted .342/.395/.712 on plate appearances ending in his heater. Still, the spike in changeup usage and the success he had with that pitch could pique the interest of another team. Underwood did give up one big fly on the changeup, but overall opponents batted just .190/.227/.381 on plate appearances ending in that pitch.
Underwood doesn’t have minor league options remaining, so he’d need to break camp with another club or else once again be designated for assignment. The Cubs have a week to trade him or attempt to pass him through outright waivers. If he goes unclaimed on waivers, he could return to Major League camp as a non-roster invitee to Spring Training.
Lit
Troll
what is there to talk about? he’s a creep and is going to get fired. done, next topic.
Wrong article?
somebody brought up Callaway
Man don’t talk about my man Duane like that. I know his “5.20 ERA in that time is obviously an eyesore” but does he need to be fired? He is trying his best.
Maybe he could star in OUT OF OPTIONS – A thriller about a fringe MLB player whose son (Duane Underwood Junior Jr. ) is kidnapped by an international drug cartel. With no help from the cops and time against him, Duane Underwood Junior has no choice but to take matters into his own hands, because he’s . . . Out of Options.
Idk why but this made me
Somehow this fits perfectly
Nice. All part of the plan.
Makes sense. You always want to make room on the roster for an MVP-caliber reliever.
I hear that they’re going to just put him in the Hall of Fame ballot immediately, just to save time.
Best Cubs “Junior” since Carl Edwards Jr. Or maybe Junior Lake.
Albert Almora Jr. ?
A little surprised by this. Underwood has good stuff and a terrific curveball. The consistency hasn’t come yet but it could. He would be worth a look for quite a few teams as i think there is talent to unlock here.
He had plenty of chances to put it together. He and Dillon Maples both have been the poster boys of inconsistency. One day unhitable, the next, knocked all over the diamond. Good luck with that.
Underwood always showed brief glimpses of his talent and potential. He sometimes would pitch three innings of relief looking unhittable then next time get tagged fir like 2-3 hrs in an inning. I hope he’s eventually able to harness and realize his potential, be it with the cubs pitching in AAA or another organization. Either way i wish him the best going forward.
He has electric stuff and flashes of brilliance. I’m very surprised
A little surprised by this move. Would have preferred to give him another go. Underwood is similar to Edwards Jr and Dillon Maples. These guys have live arms and good stuff but just can’t seem to put it all together. I wish Underwood the best.
Edwards had 2 really good years for the Cubs. Maples is lucky if he can string 2 outings together without imploding. I’d still rather have Underwood around than Ryan, Norwood or Maples.
Another one of the Cubs once highly touted pitching prospects that didn’t really scratch the surface of projected potential – something about that organization can’t develop pitching
Well, hopefully, Adbert establishes himself this season. He’s only three innings behind Underwood, the current Theo and Jed innings leader for Cubs’ amateur free agent signings.
As an aside, I read about all these guys who toil in the minors and maybe, MAYBE get 100 ip or a few hundred pa’s. Most I don’t even recognize or their name rings somewhere and honestly….MAN AM I JEALOUS……..
Never given a chance
If he had TJ and he actually missed bats Dipoto would call him…
Good pedigree, good stuff. Looks like the type of guy that goes to a new org, gets some new ideas, and unlocks his potential.
This guy is kind of an enigma.
There are varying opinions.
Some see a player with a big upside.
While others see…..
UNDERWOOD DEVILED HAM !!
Why would anyone be surprised? He’s been with the organization for 9 years and career ERA is over 5. You only have so many roster spots.
Another Pitching failure from the Theo Epstein regime. Theo will get another baseball job. He needs to make sure that evaluating pitching talent and developing pitching talent are not among his job duties.
There are many Underwoods in the United States.
Below average spin rate. Fastball very hittable. There a reason he has not been effective. He needs to go to the Bauer cheat school. Probably end up a 50 save man. Lmao!
Hard to believe he’s only 26. Seems like he’s been with the Cubs forever.
Would love if the Pirates took a chance on him.