Javier Assad
26-Year-Old
2024 Stats
W-L
0-0
ERA
0.00
WHIP
0.00
K
0
SV
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
After a promising stint with Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic over the offseason, Assad settled in as a valuable swing man for the Cubs in 2023, though his role limited his fantasy value. He appeared in 32 games for Chicago, making 10 starts, and he posted a solid 3.05 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 94 strikeouts across 109.1 innings. Assad was useful in gobbling up innings out of the bullpen, but fantasy managers would rather see him start regularly than serve as a long reliever. That could happen in 2024, as veteran Marcus Stroman is a free agent and fellow veteran Drew Smyly struggled last year and may be ticketed for the bullpen at this point in his career. Hayden Wesneski is also still in the fold, though he didn't do a ton to stand out in 2023. The key question in spring training will be where the Cubs think Assad can make the biggest impact. If the righty is back in his swing role, fantasy managers may want to look elsewhere. However, if Assad breaks camp in the rotation, he could be ready for a breakout campaign. Read Past Outlooks
RANKSFrom Preseason
#544
ADP
Opening season in rotation
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Thursday that Assad will begin the season in the rotation, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
Jameson Taillon's back injury opened up another spot in the rotation and Assad has won it over Drew Smyly. The right-hander didn't pitch well this spring but has earned the shot with some fine work in a swingman role for the Cubs over the last two seasons with a 3.06 ERA.
Jameson Taillon's back injury opened up another spot in the rotation and Assad has won it over Drew Smyly. The right-hander didn't pitch well this spring but has earned the shot with some fine work in a swingman role for the Cubs over the last two seasons with a 3.06 ERA.
Pitching Stats
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2023
2022
Minor League Game Log
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Left/Right Pitching Splits
Since 2022
Even Split
2024
No Stats
BAA | K | BB | H | HR | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Since 2022vs Left | .234 | 56 | 31 | 58 | 8 | |||
Since 2022vs Right | .233 | 68 | 30 | 70 | 9 | |||
2024vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
2024vs Right | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
2023vs Left | .215 | 44 | 20 | 40 | 6 | |||
2023vs Right | .245 | 50 | 21 | 53 | 7 | |||
2022vs Left | .290 | 12 | 11 | 18 | 2 | |||
2022vs Right | .202 | 18 | 9 | 17 | 2 | |||
More Splits→ | View More Split Stats |
Home/Away Pitching Splits
Since 2022
-28%
ERA on Road
2024
No Stats
ERA | WHIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Since 2022Home | 3.54 | 1.39 | 76.1 | 8.4 | 4.1 | ||||
Since 2022Away | 2.55 | 1.17 | 70.2 | 6.8 | 3.3 | ||||
2024Home | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2024Away | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2023Home | 3.30 | 1.32 | 60.0 | 8.4 | 3.6 | ||||
2023Away | 2.74 | 1.11 | 49.1 | 6.9 | 3.1 | ||||
2022Home | 4.41 | 1.65 | 16.1 | 8.3 | 6.1 | ||||
2022Away | 2.11 | 1.31 | 21.1 | 6.3 | 3.8 | ||||
More Splits→ | View More Split Stats |
Stat Review
How does Javier Assad compare to other relievers?
This section compares his stats with all relief pitcher seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 30 innings)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
* Exit Velocity, Barrels/BBE %, Balls Hit 95+ MPH %, and Spin Rate are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 30 IP). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
* Exit Velocity, Barrels/BBE %, Balls Hit 95+ MPH %, and Spin Rate are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 30 IP). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
K/BB
2.29K/9
7.7BB/9
3.4HR/9
1.1Fastball
92.9 mphERA
3.05WHIP
1.23BABIP
.272GB/FB
1.48Left On Base
82.9%Exit Velocity
81.4 mphBarrels/BBE
5.8%Spin Rate
2030 rpmBalls Hit 95+ MPH
25.6%Swinging Strike
8.3%Advanced Pitching Stats
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Defensive Stats
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Stats Vs Today's Lineup
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Part of Cubs' future plans
Assad will be in the mix for a rotation spot next season, reports Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network.
ANALYSIS
Assad wasn't mentioned much as a future rotation piece for the Cubs before this season, but a strong campaign in the minors led to a promotion to the big-league club in August. The 25-year-old made nine appearances -- eight starts -- for the Cubs this year and went 2-2 with a 3.11 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 30:20 K:BB in 37.2 innings. Peripheral numbers suggest he was fairly lucky and his below-average walk and strikeout rates imply he may not produce the same results in 2023. Nonetheless, he's impressed Cubs management and has a shot to break camp as a member of the Opening Day roster.
Assad wasn't mentioned much as a future rotation piece for the Cubs before this season, but a strong campaign in the minors led to a promotion to the big-league club in August. The 25-year-old made nine appearances -- eight starts -- for the Cubs this year and went 2-2 with a 3.11 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 30:20 K:BB in 37.2 innings. Peripheral numbers suggest he was fairly lucky and his below-average walk and strikeout rates imply he may not produce the same results in 2023. Nonetheless, he's impressed Cubs management and has a shot to break camp as a member of the Opening Day roster.
2023 Fantasy Outlook
Assad made his MLB debut in 2022 and had some nice moments in a small sample size. He appeared in nine games and made eight starts, recording a 3.11 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 30 strikeouts across 37.2 innings. Assad was good in two minor-league stops as well, posting a 2.51 ERA over 71.2 innings for Double-A Tennessee and a 2.95 ERA across 36.2 innings for Triple-A Iowa. He had a K/9 above 9.0 at each of those stops as well, so while his strikeouts dipped a bit in the majors, there could be room for growth there. The 25-year-old probably did enough to work his way into the team's 2023 Opening Day rotation mix. Veteran Marcus Stroman will lead the way, followed by Kyle Hendricks when healthy. Behind those two are the likes of Justin Steele, Keegan Thompson, Hayden Wesneski, Adbert Alzolay and Adrian Sampson. It's a muddled picture, but Assad certainly could emerge from that pack, and he'd be on the fantasy radar if he can continue his success from last year.
More Fantasy News
Seems destined for bullpen role
Assad is likely to secure an Opening Day bullpen role in Chicago, with Jordan Wicks serving as the No. 5 starter, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Turns in best spring performance
Assad tossed two scoreless innings in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Angels. He allowed one hit and struck out two.
ANALYSIS
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In mix to start
Assad is likely competing with Hayden Wesneski, Drew Smyly and Jordan Wicks for the fifth spot in the Cubs' rotation to begin the season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Stellar in bulk-relief role
Assad (5-3) earned the win in Saturday's 6-3 victory over Colorado, allowing two hits and a hit batsman over four scoreless innings out of the bullpen. He struck out six without issuing any walks.
ANALYSIS
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Relegated to bullpen
Cubs manager David Ross said Saturday that Assad will pitch out of the bullpen going forward, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
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