Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Brandon Birdsell is getting increasing attention around ⛄these parts both because he’s been on the doorstep of the big leagues for a little while now, and because his performance seems to keep getting better and better.
The 2022 5th rounder is on a ridiculous run at Triple-A ღIowa, and spun his latest gem last night:
Bonus fun in the outing? Two of those strikeoutsꦛ came against BYRON BUXTON, who is rehabbing right now, a𓆉nd looked like he wanted no part of Birdsell:
Birdsell, 24, now has a 3.31 ERA at Iowa (49.0 IP), with a 27.3% K rate and 6.3% BB rate. He’s pitched better and better as the season has gone on, even after the promotion from Double-A to Triple-A, and his last five starts have been especially ridiculous: 1.52 ERA (29.2 IP), 33.6% K, 5.3% BB.
He’s showing quality stuff, even with his unique delivery, and is very likely to be considered a big league depth starter next season, with a chance to break out from there. (Because he isn’t Rule 5 Draft eligible until after next season, I don’t see the Cubs calling him up here in September, but I suppose you never know.)
As for Buxton, he was eventually ejected from the game, which may have been partly about his performance, partly about the pitch clock thing, and then partly because he wasn’t feeling too good:
So maybe he just didn’t have it when he was whiffing away against Birdsell. Hey, still impressive!
