Greg Zumach
@ivyfutures.bsky.social
Cubs MiLB and MLB draft. Find me on backfields in Omaha. Cut-ride and gyrospin fastballs. Co-founder and writer: http://NorthSideBound.com Co-host: Cubs on Deck
Can we get a Friday, August 28th, 2026 Kyle Hendricks day at Wrigley Field?
The 28 is a nod to his number and the Cubs are scheduled to play the Reds, which is the team that Kyle faced in his MLB Debut and final start as a Cub.
The 28 is a nod to his number and the Cubs are scheduled to play the Reds, which is the team that Kyle faced in his MLB Debut and final start as a Cub.
October 14, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Can we get a Friday, August 28th, 2026 Kyle Hendricks day at Wrigley Field?
The 28 is a nod to his number and the Cubs are scheduled to play the Reds, which is the team that Kyle faced in his MLB Debut and final start as a Cub.
The 28 is a nod to his number and the Cubs are scheduled to play the Reds, which is the team that Kyle faced in his MLB Debut and final start as a Cub.
Cade Horton might have the perfect risk/reward projection for the Cubs and Horton/his agency to come together on an extension after this season.
Cubs lock in $54m and Horton earns lifetime security while still having opportunity to enter free agency at 30/31.
Cubs lock in $54m and Horton earns lifetime security while still having opportunity to enter free agency at 30/31.
August 7, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Cade Horton might have the perfect risk/reward projection for the Cubs and Horton/his agency to come together on an extension after this season.
Cubs lock in $54m and Horton earns lifetime security while still having opportunity to enter free agency at 30/31.
Cubs lock in $54m and Horton earns lifetime security while still having opportunity to enter free agency at 30/31.
Drew Pomeranz is an interesting flier. He has a 4.66 ERA in 9 ⅔ IP at AAA, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Gave up runs in 2 of first 4 outings and zero since. The knuckle curve (below) is sitting at a 50% whiff rate. Will FB continue to be useful with lower usage? Could he get a velo bump?
April 21, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Drew Pomeranz is an interesting flier. He has a 4.66 ERA in 9 ⅔ IP at AAA, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Gave up runs in 2 of first 4 outings and zero since. The knuckle curve (below) is sitting at a 50% whiff rate. Will FB continue to be useful with lower usage? Could he get a velo bump?
Brad Keller against the Padres this series
Saturday vs Machado, Bogaerts, Merrill
1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K, 0 BB
Sunday vs Díaz, Tatis Jr, Arraez, Machado
1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K, 0 BB
Landed 54% of pitches in-zone and the stuff looked good. He’s a late inning option.
Saturday vs Machado, Bogaerts, Merrill
1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K, 0 BB
Sunday vs Díaz, Tatis Jr, Arraez, Machado
1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K, 0 BB
Landed 54% of pitches in-zone and the stuff looked good. He’s a late inning option.
April 7, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Brad Keller against the Padres this series
Saturday vs Machado, Bogaerts, Merrill
1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K, 0 BB
Sunday vs Díaz, Tatis Jr, Arraez, Machado
1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K, 0 BB
Landed 54% of pitches in-zone and the stuff looked good. He’s a late inning option.
Saturday vs Machado, Bogaerts, Merrill
1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K, 0 BB
Sunday vs Díaz, Tatis Jr, Arraez, Machado
1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K, 0 BB
Landed 54% of pitches in-zone and the stuff looked good. He’s a late inning option.
Coming Monday to The Baseball Tribune it’s time for my 2025 MLB Mock Draft (Version 1.0).
Write ups of the entire first round with background on recent draft tendencies of each team.
open.substack.com/pub/baseball...
Write ups of the entire first round with background on recent draft tendencies of each team.
open.substack.com/pub/baseball...
March 16, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Coming Monday to The Baseball Tribune it’s time for my 2025 MLB Mock Draft (Version 1.0).
Write ups of the entire first round with background on recent draft tendencies of each team.
open.substack.com/pub/baseball...
Write ups of the entire first round with background on recent draft tendencies of each team.
open.substack.com/pub/baseball...
It was a Surf ‘N Turf Christmas last night.
Slow-roasted Greek lamb and scallops with roasted potatoes
Wine: Pinot Noir (rec French or Oregon)
Cocktail: Nice and Naughty
1.5 oz Woodford Reserve bourbon
1 oz Cranberry juice
Top off w/ Fever Tree blood orange ginger beer
Garnish
Slow-roasted Greek lamb and scallops with roasted potatoes
Wine: Pinot Noir (rec French or Oregon)
Cocktail: Nice and Naughty
1.5 oz Woodford Reserve bourbon
1 oz Cranberry juice
Top off w/ Fever Tree blood orange ginger beer
Garnish
December 26, 2024 at 1:51 PM
It was a Surf ‘N Turf Christmas last night.
Slow-roasted Greek lamb and scallops with roasted potatoes
Wine: Pinot Noir (rec French or Oregon)
Cocktail: Nice and Naughty
1.5 oz Woodford Reserve bourbon
1 oz Cranberry juice
Top off w/ Fever Tree blood orange ginger beer
Garnish
Slow-roasted Greek lamb and scallops with roasted potatoes
Wine: Pinot Noir (rec French or Oregon)
Cocktail: Nice and Naughty
1.5 oz Woodford Reserve bourbon
1 oz Cranberry juice
Top off w/ Fever Tree blood orange ginger beer
Garnish
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone! To those that celebrate, I hope today is one filled with joy. And to those that the holidays are a tougher experience, I’m sending you some positive thoughts. Best wishes everyone.
December 25, 2024 at 5:04 PM
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone! To those that celebrate, I hope today is one filled with joy. And to those that the holidays are a tougher experience, I’m sending you some positive thoughts. Best wishes everyone.
Kyle Tucker/Cubs
All mock trades lack full info on how teams project specific players, but going back to similar trades for historical comps can be helpful to cut through biases.
The following could stand to bump up (maybe swap in Ben Brown?), but a fun starting point for discussion.
All mock trades lack full info on how teams project specific players, but going back to similar trades for historical comps can be helpful to cut through biases.
The following could stand to bump up (maybe swap in Ben Brown?), but a fun starting point for discussion.
December 11, 2024 at 4:38 PM
Kyle Tucker/Cubs
All mock trades lack full info on how teams project specific players, but going back to similar trades for historical comps can be helpful to cut through biases.
The following could stand to bump up (maybe swap in Ben Brown?), but a fun starting point for discussion.
All mock trades lack full info on how teams project specific players, but going back to similar trades for historical comps can be helpful to cut through biases.
The following could stand to bump up (maybe swap in Ben Brown?), but a fun starting point for discussion.
It’s just insane that as a society there are people that see Daniel Tiger teaching about sharing, Sesame Street characters discussing being kind to children with autism, and Wild Kratts discussing protecting the environment and wild life and think “We have to get rid of that”
December 8, 2024 at 1:18 PM
It’s just insane that as a society there are people that see Daniel Tiger teaching about sharing, Sesame Street characters discussing being kind to children with autism, and Wild Kratts discussing protecting the environment and wild life and think “We have to get rid of that”
The Baseball Winter Meetings begin this weekend and it’s been an active offseason already.
What is one prediction you have that happens before the end of the meetings next Thursday?
What is one prediction you have that happens before the end of the meetings next Thursday?
December 6, 2024 at 9:17 PM
The Baseball Winter Meetings begin this weekend and it’s been an active offseason already.
What is one prediction you have that happens before the end of the meetings next Thursday?
What is one prediction you have that happens before the end of the meetings next Thursday?
From the pitching side, I’m a big fan of Matt Scott out of Stanford. It’s a high release, higher carry fastball with a good split change and a slider. There’s room to add another pitch, perhaps one of the patented “deathballs”?
November 29, 2024 at 8:54 PM
From the pitching side, I’m a big fan of Matt Scott out of Stanford. It’s a high release, higher carry fastball with a good split change and a slider. There’s room to add another pitch, perhaps one of the patented “deathballs”?
I think it’s still Cade Horton, but it’ll be a slower roll. From a usage perspective, look north for how Milwaukee deployed Corbin Burnes early in his career.
November 29, 2024 at 2:05 PM
I think it’s still Cade Horton, but it’ll be a slower roll. From a usage perspective, look north for how Milwaukee deployed Corbin Burnes early in his career.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone celebrating the holiday. For some I know the holidays can be a difficult time. Wishing everyone here a day of joy and peace.
November 28, 2024 at 2:07 PM
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone celebrating the holiday. For some I know the holidays can be a difficult time. Wishing everyone here a day of joy and peace.
So what should a team do with Finnegan and the fastball? Focus up. The high fastball is already a tough pitch, but Finnegan’s fastball suggests that he gets good success up in the zone. That will certainly play.
November 24, 2024 at 4:03 AM
So what should a team do with Finnegan and the fastball? Focus up. The high fastball is already a tough pitch, but Finnegan’s fastball suggests that he gets good success up in the zone. That will certainly play.
So let’s explore a possible reason for location, the catcher target location. Oftentimes Finnegan’s catcher sets up right down the middle of the plate on fastballs. It’s a technique that some teams are prioritizing, but it leaves open an opportunity with Kyle Finnegan.
November 24, 2024 at 4:01 AM
So let’s explore a possible reason for location, the catcher target location. Oftentimes Finnegan’s catcher sets up right down the middle of the plate on fastballs. It’s a technique that some teams are prioritizing, but it leaves open an opportunity with Kyle Finnegan.
One of the more interesting options now on the market is RHP, Kyle Finnegan.
The Nats walked away from paying ~$8m to their closer, but could teams make a few realistic changes to his mix and unlock an impact reliever? Let’s dive in with a 🧵
The Nats walked away from paying ~$8m to their closer, but could teams make a few realistic changes to his mix and unlock an impact reliever? Let’s dive in with a 🧵
November 24, 2024 at 3:56 AM
One of the more interesting options now on the market is RHP, Kyle Finnegan.
The Nats walked away from paying ~$8m to their closer, but could teams make a few realistic changes to his mix and unlock an impact reliever? Let’s dive in with a 🧵
The Nats walked away from paying ~$8m to their closer, but could teams make a few realistic changes to his mix and unlock an impact reliever? Let’s dive in with a 🧵
Thanks @crosbybaseball.bsky.social for being my 500th follower. We’re cooking with gas here, folks!
November 14, 2024 at 3:46 PM
Thanks @crosbybaseball.bsky.social for being my 500th follower. We’re cooking with gas here, folks!
I’ll be running a Bluesky only Cubs Prospects and MLB Draft Q&A starting this Thursday evening. Looking forward to answering questions. Drop them in the replies and I’ll be answering Thursday.
November 11, 2024 at 7:51 PM
I’ll be running a Bluesky only Cubs Prospects and MLB Draft Q&A starting this Thursday evening. Looking forward to answering questions. Drop them in the replies and I’ll be answering Thursday.
And for more pitch related context, here’s George Kirby compared to how I’d ballpark Rōki Sasaki’s pitch graph.
November 9, 2024 at 9:29 PM
And for more pitch related context, here’s George Kirby compared to how I’d ballpark Rōki Sasaki’s pitch graph.
Rōki Sasaki’s slider isn’t thrown as often and it’s an inconsistent pitch. This is the pitch that serves as the lowest hanging fruit for a new organization. A path could be a faster slider/cutter hybrid. But specifically I’d be interested in modeling one after George Kirby’s…
November 9, 2024 at 9:28 PM
Rōki Sasaki’s slider isn’t thrown as often and it’s an inconsistent pitch. This is the pitch that serves as the lowest hanging fruit for a new organization. A path could be a faster slider/cutter hybrid. But specifically I’d be interested in modeling one after George Kirby’s…
Rōki Sasaki’s fastball and splitter don’t line up vertically. The below graph (from @lancebroz.bsky.social’s
incredible video) doesn’t show his slider and we’ll get to that.
incredible video) doesn’t show his slider and we’ll get to that.
November 9, 2024 at 9:27 PM
Rōki Sasaki’s fastball and splitter don’t line up vertically. The below graph (from @lancebroz.bsky.social’s
incredible video) doesn’t show his slider and we’ll get to that.
incredible video) doesn’t show his slider and we’ll get to that.
Lance points this out as well but most pitchers who feature splitters have a particular movement that lines up with their fastball vertically. Take George Kirby (L) and Nate Eovaldi (R).
November 9, 2024 at 9:26 PM
Lance points this out as well but most pitchers who feature splitters have a particular movement that lines up with their fastball vertically. Take George Kirby (L) and Nate Eovaldi (R).
From the video above, it also isn’t a deep arsenal. Unlike Yamamoto and Imanaga, Sasaki doesn’t throw 5+ pitches. But the raw talent is there. So what would I do? Let’s first look at Sasaki’s data from @lancebroz.bsky.social
on his primary two pitches, the fastball and splitter.
on his primary two pitches, the fastball and splitter.
November 9, 2024 at 9:25 PM
From the video above, it also isn’t a deep arsenal. Unlike Yamamoto and Imanaga, Sasaki doesn’t throw 5+ pitches. But the raw talent is there. So what would I do? Let’s first look at Sasaki’s data from @lancebroz.bsky.social
on his primary two pitches, the fastball and splitter.
on his primary two pitches, the fastball and splitter.
The questions come in with the fastball. Despite the crazy velocity it took a step back last year. And while most pitchers gain whiffs coming from NPB to MLB a 14% whiff rate isn’t good. From an incredible app @bouno05 (on Twitter) created.
November 9, 2024 at 9:24 PM
The questions come in with the fastball. Despite the crazy velocity it took a step back last year. And while most pitchers gain whiffs coming from NPB to MLB a 14% whiff rate isn’t good. From an incredible app @bouno05 (on Twitter) created.
Let’s talk briefly about the stuff. Rōki features one of the weirdest, nastiest pitches in all of baseball with his splitter. There isn’t a real comparable for pitch shape in MLB
November 9, 2024 at 9:23 PM
Let’s talk briefly about the stuff. Rōki features one of the weirdest, nastiest pitches in all of baseball with his splitter. There isn’t a real comparable for pitch shape in MLB