Cubs Add Former First Round Pick to Bullpen, DFA Pitcher

Right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson is officially with the Chicago Cubs. The former first round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017 was traded to the Cubs Saturday for a pair of prospects. Pearson, 27, will be in the bullpen for Saturday night’s game against the Kansas City Royals. To make room on the active roster the Cubs designated right-handed pitcher Jesus Tinoco for assignment.

Tinoco, 29, was recently acquired by the Cubs in a deal with the Texas Rangers. The right-hander made two appearances with the Cubs and did not allow a run in four innings, surrendering just three hits, while striking out three and walking none.

Infielder Josh Rivera and outfielder Yohendrick Piñango were sent to the Blue Jays in exchange for Pearson.

The 27-year-old pitcher certainly has the stuff of a good pitcher, but Pearson has not had much success at the major league level despite the talent in his right arm. He’s been hit hard this year, allowing 45 hits in 40 innings, but his 28% strikeout rate is definitely intriguing for the Cubs.

The Cubs are hoping that Pearson simply needs a change of scenery to unlock his talent because he does have good stuff.

Pearson has struck out 130 batters in 115.2 innings in the majors. The righty is under team control through the 2026 season.

(Previous Update)

The Chicago Cubs have traded for former top-10 MLB prospect Nate Pearson from the Toronto Blue Jays. Pearson, a right-handed pitcher, hasn’t lived up those lofty expectations yet in the majors and now he’s off to the Cubs.

ESPN’s Jesse Rogers broke the news first on Saturday.

The 27-year-old pitcher has struggled out of the bullpen with the Blue Jays in 2024, posting a 5.63 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 41 appearances. Overall in his career, the right-hander has a 5.21 ERA in 115.2 innings.

Heading into the 2020 season, Pearson was regarded as one of the best prospects in the game. He was ranked as high as No. 7 according to Baseball America and was ranked 8th in MLB Pipeline’s top-100 prospects list. The right-hander made his MLB debut during the 2020 season as the No. 1 prospect in the Blue Jays farm system.

Meanwhile, the Cubs are sending outfield prospect Yohendrick Piñango to the Blue Jays in the deal.

Piñango has slashed .223/.316/.345, with a 99 wRC+ in 225 plate appearances at Double-A this season. The left-handed hitter began the 2024 season at Advanced A-Ball, where he was great, posting a 194 wRC+ in 29 games. The outfielder is currently ranked No. 29 in the Cubs minor league system according to MLB Pipeline.

Shortstop Josh Rivera is also headed to the Blue Jays.

Rivera, a third round pick by the Cubs in 2023, has not been able to hit at Double-A in 2024. The right-handed batter is only hitting .169 in 253 plate appearances and has recorded a 67 wRC+ in 68 games.

Pearson, who was the 28th overall pick by the Blue Jays in the 2017 MLB Draft, has unfortunately had some injuries throughout his career. Still, with a fastball that averages nearly 98mph, the Cubs are certainly hoping that they can fix Pearson. They recently had success with Julian Merryweather, who was also with the Blue Jays and couldn’t get consistent results in Toronto.

And get this, there’s this unique connection now that Pearson is joining the Cubs organization.

So, with the Cubs expected to trade away a few of their own relievers, Pearson will now have the opportunity to prove himself in Chicago during the final two months of the 2024 season. The Cubs can evaluate whether or now they can truly fix Pearson and then plan accordingly in the offseason. The pitcher still has a few years left of team control if the Cubs decide to keep him on the 40-man roster after this year.