The Chicago Cubs have bolstered their pitching depth with the signing of Kyle Wright, a former 20-win pitcher, to a minor league deal. Wright, who spent his career with the Atlanta Braves, will now join the Cubs' minor league system and receive an invite to MLB spring training. This move comes as the Cubs aim to strengthen their National League competitiveness.
Wright's career has been a rollercoaster. He began as an elite pitcher at Vanderbilt, boasting a 2.78 ERA with the Commodores, which led to his selection as the fifth overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft by the Braves. However, his journey to the majors was not without challenges. In 2018, Wright struggled in the bullpen, posting a 4.50 ERA in four games. The following season, he transitioned to starting, but faced further difficulties, with an 8.69 ERA in seven games (four starts).
These initial struggles caused a dip in his prospect ranking, falling to No. 52 in 2020 due to the shortened season. Wright then readjusted in Triple-A in 2021, showcasing a 3.02 ERA. However, his return to the majors that year was short-lived, with a 9.95 ERA in two games. Wright's fortunes changed in the 2021 playoffs, notably pitching 5.1 innings of one-run ball in Games 2 and 4 of the World Series.
The 2022 season marked a turning point, as Wright won a league-high 21 games with a 3.19 ERA, finishing 10th in the Cy Young voting. However, injuries plagued his tenure with the Braves, leading to shoulder surgery and a significant absence in 2023. Wright then endured a challenging 2025 season with the Kansas City Royals, missing most of it due to hamstring and oblique injuries.
Now, Wright is healthy and eager to reclaim his success from 2022. However, the Cubs already have a robust rotation and bullpen, making Wright's role in the minors primarily one of depth. He will need to prove himself once again to secure a future opportunity with the Cubs. Despite this, Wright's potential as a valuable asset in the event of injuries to the rotation remains a significant factor in the team's strategy.
