The Cubs signed right-handed pitcher Kohl Stewart to a major-league contract, the team announced on Thursday. The deal is reportedly worth $700,000. The move adds more depth to a pitching staff that will need as many arms as possible in 2021.
Stewart comes to the Cubs with limited big-league experience, making just 17 major-league appearances with the Twins. The 2013 No. 4 overall pick does have some experiencing starting and make six starts for Minnesota during his brief career.
The 26-year-old right-hander is 4-3 with a career 4.79 ERA over 17 appearances. He went 2-2 with a 6.39 ERA in nine games with the Twins in 2019. Stewart, who is a Type 1 diabetic, was most recently with the Orioles organization and opted out of the 2020 season for health reasons.
While the move to get another arm in the fold is not a surprise, the fact that Stewart received a major-league contract shows the teams faith in his abilities and willingness to give him an opportunity to play a role either as a starter or reliever.
Stewart has a pitch repertoire that is familiar to other pitchers on the Cubs’ big league roster as he relies on both a sinker and slider. According to Baseball Savant, Stewart threw his sinker, which averaged 91.6 mph, 48% of the time and his slider 32% of the time. He’ll also mix in a changeup, curveball and four-seam fastball.
The Cubs’ 40-man roster now stands at 37 after the addition of Stewart. With spring training scheduled to start in a few weeks, the Cubs likely have a few more moves in before their roster for 2021 is set.
