Chatwood Is Pushing an Issue
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we all heard and even shared the jokes about the Chicago Cubs pitcher, Tyler Chatwood. Like, what car does he drive? None, he walks. Ba dum ‘tss… We even gave him the moniker of Tyler Chatwalk, and a number of other nicknames that may or may not be PG-13.
But we do have to recall the reasons Theo Epstein opened up a checkbook, so early in the 2017-18 free agency to ensure they locked him up. I mean, he was signed with such enthusiasm (and money to match) that would cause you to believe he would be the next Jake Arrieta.
The only thing is, he performed miserably, walked the world, and was removed from the starting rotation come mid-August.
Heres the thing, Chatwood had showed incredible talent. Heck, there were outings in 2018 where he – outside of walks – seemed bear unhittable. If you recall, Theo was applauded for bringing Chatwood to Chicago because he had ace stuff, especially when he pitched away from Colorado’s Coors Field.
But it didn’t all translate. Chatwood became a laughing stock, not only among National League Central fan circles, but between Cubs fans as well.
Now, let’s look at his spring performance.
Following an absolutely outstanding outing on Wednesday, Chatwood has thrown 5 innings, given up only two runs, and surrendered a single free-pass.
Guys.
He did it again.
Tyler Chatwood: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 K …
AND NO WALKS. pic.twitter.com/eHOaEinavX
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) March 6, 2019
So, is Chatwood actually pressing for a starters role? The Chicago Tribune’s Mark Gonzalez suggests he is.
“Tyler Chatwood believes he’s still a starting pitcher with plenty of upside at 29,” Gonzalez wrote.
Will his current performance be enough to push any of the five starts out, and him in?
“If everybody were healthy, obviously it would be tough for him to fit in the five (starters),” manager Joe Maddon conceded Thursday. “But you just don’t know what’s going to happen during the course of a camp.”
Right now he’s on the outside looking in, and none of the Cubs top five have done anything to lose a spot.
Could you trust him to start again? Well, based on Chatwood’s own explanations, maybe?
“I was just trying way too hard,” said Chatwood. “Normally you want to be free and easy. But when you know there’s something going on wrong and you’re trying to fix it, you’re mentally grinding more on that and putting more effort into stuff than I normally have.
“There was a small detail, so I feel like I cleaned that up and I feel good.”
So if he’s cleaned up some mechanical issues and has learned to temper his emotions, he just might turn into the guy the Cubs signed in the early 2018 offseason. Maybe, just maybe he provides needed depth for the 2019 team. Then finally, Theo may have earned those compliment bouquets that were thrown his way when they landed Chatwood.
