Cubs sign high-velocity pitcher Sam Mettert |
Dustin Riese
· · 8 hours ago
Despite technically being nearly a month into the MLB offseason period, most of the action won't take place until the Winter Meetings, which are set to begin in three weeks. Until that time, there won't be many offseason pickups at this stage of the offseason, although some minor ones have already occurred.
When it comes to the Cubs, they have made one move thus far, which was bringing back Colin Rea on a new modified extension that locks him up for 2026 and potentially 2027, depending on how things play out next offseason. Considering both Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins emphasized that pitching will be a major target this offseason, seeing Rea back in the fold should be a surprise, especially when you consider how he performed last season. Rea hasn't been the only signing the Cubs have made as they added an International Free Agent on Tuesday and turned right around to make another signing with Sam Mettert being the latest player to strike a deal with the Cubs as he came to terms on a Minor League deal. A Chicago-area native, the 22-year-old Mettert played college ball at St. John's University, where he attended Tread Athletics and Performance after graduating. The Tread Academy is something the Cubs have gotten very familiar with over the past few offseasons, as they have signed five pitchers from there on Minor League deals. Mettert makes it six as he was seen touching 98 MPH at Tread, which is what made the Cubs fall in love with him and his potential. Seeing that high-level velocity shouldn't come as a surprise when you look at his 6-4 and 225-pound frame. Mettert is a big guy who is not only strong but also gets excellent extension with his release point, leading to the high velocities you see. One of the many relief-only arms the Cubs have targeted over the past few seasons, Mettert will most likely assume a relief role in the Minors, but he has the potential to be an excellent reliever once he settles in. In two years with the Red Storm, Mettert was highly active, totaling 39 games in his two collegiate seasons, logging just under 48 innings. While the overall results weren't the best, with a 3-3 record and a 7.17 ERA, there was still plenty to like about his game, which starts and stops with his velocity. Mettert did, however, have some command issues with 33 walks to 51 strikeouts in those 48 innings, but should he figure out a way to harness that command, the Cubs have another low-risk arm to test out next season. Not seen as a contributor anytime soon, if at all, the 25% strikeout rate is something to build on as the stuff is there for him to overpower hitters. With the good comes the bad, and with a nearly 17% walk rate, Mettert has to cut down on the walks to be successful; otherwise, he will have little to no chance of succeeding at the pro level. Had it not been for his performance at Tread to get noticed by the Cubs, baseball wasn't the primary focus for Mettert, who was actually debating going to grad school as opposed to playing baseball. Once the Cubs called to offer him this opportunity, it changed everything for Mettert, who gets to pursue his dream as a professional baseball player with one of the more iconic franchises in the game. Congrats and best of luck to Mettert as he will have an opportunity to show his hometown team what he can do next season. Hopefully, this is the first step in what will be a lengthy baseball career, as he deserves this opportunity. ✅ Throws 99+ at Tread HQ
✅ Signs with the @Cubs just days later
Congrats to @MettertSam on signing with the Chicago Cubs! ✍️
Check out his electric bullpen from last Friday. ⚡️
Coach: @bnussperform pic.twitter.com/kZ3bMWeM2i
