South Bend Cubs look to get back to winning ways in 2024

SOUTH BEND — The South Bend Cubs organization has made a lot of noise this offseason, from announcing a $45 million stadium upgrade project and an investment into the area surrounding Four Winds Field.

While most of those projects will get started later this year, the focus now shifts to the primary product at the stadium: baseball. The High-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs begins its season Friday on the road at Quad Cities, with the home opener scheduled for Tuesday against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

The South Bend Cubs went 57-73 last season, missing the playoffs. It’s a franchise that has seen championship success in recent years, winning Midwest League titles in 2019 and 2022.

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As with most minor league teams, there are several changes to the Cubs this season. Chief among them is a new manager in Nick Lovullo, who is the son of Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo. The younger Lovullo, 30, has been in the Chicago Cubs organization the last two seasons, working as a bench coach for the Double-A Tennessee Smokies in 2022 and leading the Arizona Complex League team in 2023.

“I’m very honored and very humbled that the organization thinks I can lead a team of this caliber,” Lovullo said. “It’s something I’m excited about. It’ll be my first year managing at an affiliate … This is a whole new ballgame, so there’s a lot of excitement. A little bit of nerves, if I’m being honest, but once we get rolling, hopefully it’ll all take care of itself.”

Rounding out the new coaching staff is Bruce Billings as the pitching coach and Nate Spears as the hitting coach.

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Lovullo played minor league baseball for five seasons, reaching as high as Triple-A. Having several years of recent experience at this level should help the current South Bend Cubs roster.

“He connects with us really easily,” said returning catcher Ethan Hearn. “Players know that he’s been in our spot, which really helps us. It’s kind of hard sometimes, as a player, to connect with somebody who’s maybe never been in our shoes and understand what it feels like to maybe go 0-for-30 or be hurt and try to play through a season. It’s nice having someone who’s been there. I can’t wait to play for him.”

One of the pitchers returning that Hearn worked with last year is Grant Kipp. The 6-foot-6 right-hander struggled in his five starts with the Cubs, going 0-3 with an 8.14 ERA. Kipp said he’s learned from the experience of playing in South Bend last year and is ready to grow as a pitcher this season.

“My biggest goals for me were throwing a little bit harder — which I’ve been able to do in spring training — and developing a changeup, especially for (left-handed batters),” Kipp said. “I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job of both of those things.”

Of the top prospects in the Chicago Cubs farm system, the highest-ranked one in South Bend currently is right-handed pitcher Brody McCullough. Like Kipp, he split time between Low-A Myrtle Beach and South Bend last year, struggling initially before recording a 2.57 ERA in his last seven starts in South Bend. He was a 10th-round pick by the Chicago Cubs in the 2022 MLB Draft.

Josh Rivera, a shortstop, is also a strong prospect returning to South Bend. He was drafted in the third round of the MLB Draft last year, appearing in 25 games for the Cubs.

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Others in the top-30 of the Cubs farm system that could make their way to South Bend are shortstop Jefferson Rojas, left-handed pitcher Drew Gray, infielder Pedro Ramirez and infielder Christian Hernandez. All four played for the Low-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans a season ago, meaning they likely make a pit stop at Four Winds Field this summer.

The Chicago Cubs have one of the highest touted farm systems in baseball, being ranked second overall by MLB.com.

“Everyone being better just makes each other better,” Kipp said. “Being able to compete with Cade Horton, Kohl Franklin and some guys that are really good pitchers, it forces you to get better.”

Growing as players and a team is Lovullo’s main goal for this season. He thinks the group they have will be able to achieve those benchmarks.

“Great group of guys,” Lovullo said. “I’ve worked with most, if not all of them so far in spring training. It’s a great cast of characters that are hardworking and good guys in the clubhouse — and very talented baseball players, too. I’m looking forward to seeing what we have on the field.”

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend Cubs look to get back to winning ways in 2024