Cubs Add Intriguing Reliever to 40-Man Roster

David Bote got most of the attention when this news came out on Friday, but call me intrigued by funky right-handed reliever Gavin Hollowell. The Cubs DFA’d Bote to make room on the 40-man roster after picking up Hollowell off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

This is now the second time Hollowell has been claimed off waivers this year.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like Hollowell has been good at the major-league level and there’s a reason he’s now with his third organization in 2024, but I’m a believer in the Cubs pitching lab and they have something to work with here in Hollowell.

Who doesn’t love a kinda funky arm slot out of the bullpen and he can rush it up to 99mph?

Hollowell, 26, was a sixth round pick by the Colorado Rockies out of St. John’s back in 2019. The righty spent time in the big leagues in 2022 and 2023 with the Rockies, splitting time between MLB and the minors. Hollowell didn’t have much success, posting a 6.20 ERA in 40.2 innings with 40 strikeouts.

As is the case with many young pitchers who struggle in the majors, Hollowell has had issues with command. He walked 22 batters during his time with the Rockies and that’s also been an issue throughout his time pitching in the minor leagues. Back in June, the Diamondbacks claimed Hollowell off waivers from the Rockies.

During his time at Triple-A this season Hollowell has shown why teams are still giving him a chance and why the Cubs want that opportunity to fix him. The righty has recorded a 29.5% strikeout rate in 23.2 innings, but throwing enough strikes to succeed at the next level is what the Cubs are going to focus on because Hollowell also walked 16% of the batters he’s faced in 2024.

The good news is that it certainly looks like Hollowell has the tools to make it work if can just figure out the command.

The righty reliever has one option year remaining after 2024, which means if the Cubs believe in him enough to keep him on the 40-man roster heading into next season, then they’ll have flexibility with Hollowell, who could be optioned back and forth from Triple-A. If Hollowell succeeds in the Cubs system, then that would be another big win for the team’s pitching infrastructure.

Hollowell does not have much service time accumulated, so if he sticks around and is good enough to be in the Cubs bullpen, then that’s a quality arm who will be under team control for several more years at a low cost.