Introducing Jack Neely! The Newest Cubs Bullpen Arm as Héctor Neris Gets DFA’d

By: Ethan Diamond

It’s really funny how timing works. While I was wrapping up writing this deep dive basically explaining why the Cubs should call up Jack Neely, they did just that. Héctor Neris has been designated for assignment, cleared waivers, and has been released. Neely, who I ranked 20th on my recent Cubs Top 30 prospects list, has been called up to take his spot on the roster. This means that the Cubs no longer have to worry about Neris reaching his 60 appearance vesting option, meaning he was probably going to come back next year for $9 million. Now, the Cubs will have to install a new closer. Jorge Lopez and Porter Hodge are the top two options, but maybe Neely can work his way into that role.

Jack Neely was acquired by the Cubs just a few weeks ago on trade deadline day for Mark Leiter Jr., and while they also got infielder Benjamin Cowles in the deal, Neely was the main piece coming back. He brings with him a two pitch mix, a 4-Seam Fastball and a Slider (or as some in the organization call it, a “Splider”). Since joining the Cubs organization, Neely has thrown 6.2 innings to a 0.00 ERA, a 0.75 WHIP, and a ridiculous K% of 52.0. His 4SFB has averaged 96 MPH and is getting 16.8 inches of induced vertical break while throwing it at 6.8 inches of extension. His slider averages 86.8 MPH and has gotten a ridiculous 57.7% whiff rate. For more on his pitch specs, I have provided the graph below via Thomas Nestico (tjstats on Twitter/X).

Neely is going to be a high-leverage reliever in our bullpen for years. Whether he’s a setup guy or a closer, that is yet to be determined. It’s an exciting time to be a fan of Cubs prospects. Neely is just the first from Iowa to come up since the deadline, but he’s not even one of the six Top 100 guys we have in AAA ready to impact the big league team soon (not to guys like Brandon Birdsell, Daniel Palencia, and Michael Arias who will soon be ready to impact the big league roster). Even if we miss out on postseason baseball this year, we are gearing up to make a run at October ball next year, and our prospects are going to help us out.