Pitcher Daniel Palencia could be the cure to Chicago's bullpen issues
Chicago Cubs minor-league pitcher Daniel Palencia was sitting in the Smokies Stadium clubhouse, home of the organization’s Double-A affiliate Tennessee, in May when he got an unexpected phone call.
It was Craig Breslow, Chicago’s assistant general manager and vice president of pitching. Breslow had an offer to make. Palencia, a starting pitcher up to that point, could temporarily transition to the bullpen or stay in the rotation.
"He said, 'You can take it or not, it's your decision,'" Palencia recalled.
It was quite the predicament for Palencia, who had always envisioned himself being a starter in the big leagues. But a few minutes later, Palencia called Breslow back and agreed to embark on the new journey. The decision has paid off for the hard-throwing right-hander, who was called up by the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. He pitched the final two innings of Tuesday's game at Milwaukee and was credited with the victory.
Palencia's repertoire is as strong as anybody's in the organization, including a triple-digit fastball that he says reached 103 mph during his last start with the Smokies two months ago. The Chicago Cubs have been in desperate need of some help in their bullpen this season and began looking for options throughout the system.
Breslow figured Palencia’s pitches (a high heater, strong changeup and breaking ball) would play well in the bullpen and make it an easy transition. He also had a hunch that Palencia could help Chicago this season.
“I think there are certainly some obvious characteristics that kind of punch you in the face,” Breslow said.
Still, Breslow wanted to give Palencia the chance to jump on board. So he called him with the option and talked to the young pitcher about the confidence the Cubs had in him. They talked about how this could potentially get him to the big leagues faster.
While Palencia had always dreamed of being a starter, he liked the idea and the opportunity being presented to him, especially after he called a former coach, his father and his girlfriend. They all said the same thing.
“They said, ‘It’s a great opportunity for you — you have to take it,’” said Palencia, who is from Venezuela.
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The Cubs took their time with Palencia. They put him on the development list and sent him to the team’s complex in Arizona to prepare for the transition. Palencia was used to having all the time he needed to get ready for games. In Arizona, he developed a routine to warm up quickly.
After a week in Arizona, the Cubs sent Palencia to the Iowa Cubs and to pitch in Triple-A for the first time. He immediately showed his electric stuff in a strong debut against the Nashville Sounds on May 25. Palencia struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief. He tossed three pitches at 99 mph.
“I like the adrenaline,” Palencia said. “I like being on the mound. I like protecting my team.”
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Palencia has had a few rough outings. But Breslow believes the reliever turned the corner after some talks with people in the organization about his pitch usage and their confidence in him.
That has led to big moments, including Sunday's outing at Omaha in which Palencia struck out both hitters he faced. He topped out at 101.1 mph.
“We’re seeing the higher end of it,” Breslow said. “The results, outside of actually a couple of games, have kind of justified the move.”
Breslow said the Cubs haven’t closed the door on Palencia being a starter down the road. But for now the focus is on relieving. Palencia said he looked up to former star closer Francisco Rodriguez and reached out to him on Instagram. Rodriguez, Palencia said, praised his pitching after seeing some videos of the Cubs reliever. Palencia also has watched videos of injured New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz’s famous entrance with the song “Narco” by Blasterjaxx and Timmy Trumpet.
Palencia already has his own song picked out that he’s using in Iowa: "Rest In Peace," The Undertaker theme song remix produced by Attic Stein. Palencia said he has imagined himself walking the mount at Wrigley Field in Chicago with the song playing in the background.
“I think it’s going to be amazing,” he said with a smile.
Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018 and 2020 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468. Follow him on Twitter @TommyBirch.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Cubs pitcher Daniel Palencia moves from starter to reliever
