Pitcher Nate Pearson was acquired in a trade with the Blue Jays on Saturday, costing the Cubs two low-level prospects. He made his Cubs debut Monday against the Reds and it was an interesting beginning.
He came in for the bottom of the seventh as the Cubs trailed the Reds 6-0. The inning was pretty easy for him, 1-2-3. He came back in the eight and got another out before giving up a home run to Jeimer Candelario.
His next pitch was a 96 mph fastball that hit Tyler Stephenson in the helmet. It was scary, but the helmet did what it was supposed to do and an angry Stephenson went to first base. The umps then got together and tossed Pearson, ending his first Cubs appearance.
My opinion is that the umps overreacted. Pearson had no reason to plunk anyone. The guy is making his debut with his new team and was trying to get off on a positive start. The game was over at that point with the Cubs down by seven. There wasn't any showboating by the Reds that would have made the Cubs mad. If the umps were concerned, they could have given the team a warning. Ejection seemed unnecessary.
2024 Cub #48's debut didn't last as long as hoped. But the 48 players fit into a nice 6x8 mosaic, so we have that.
Pearson is the textbook definition of a thrower who doesn't have a clue how to pitch. Unless the Cubs can find a Crash Davis for him, I'd be shocked if he isn't DFA'ed at the end of the season and never seen again in the majors.
ReplyDeleteTen years ago the Cubs picked up a similar thrower from the Orioles, Jake Arrieta. I'm hoping they can fix Pearson and end up with similar results.
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