Young talent of the Chicago Cubs, who abandoned the sport at age 16 following a harsh critique by a scout, experiences an unexpected resurgence in his career.
In the heart of the Windy City, Daniel Palencia, a 23-year-old Venezuelan pitcher, is making waves as the Chicago Cubs' full-time closer. His journey to this position is a tale of determination, resilience, and an unexpected rise from the brink of giving up on baseball to becoming a formidable force in the Major Leagues.
Born on February 5, 2000, in San Carlos, Venezuela, Palencia signed with the Oakland Athletics as a non-drafted free agent in 2020. Standing at 5'11" and weighing 160 pounds, Palencia's path was anything but straightforward. Despite his smaller frame, he developed into a flamethrower, with a fastball regularly exceeding 100 mph. His repertoire includes a low-90s slider, changeup, and curveball, making him a versatile and formidable presence out of the bullpen.
The Cubs saw something special in Palencia and quickly called him up to their major league team in mid-April 2022. His major league debut came on July 4, 2023, where he earned his first career win in an extra-inning game, a feat not accomplished by a Cubs pitcher since 1901 on debut.
By the 2025 season, Palencia emerged as a critical bullpen piece, stabilising the relief pitching for the Cubs. His performance was remarkable: a 1.74 ERA over 19 appearances, a WHIP of 0.774, 22 strikeouts in 20.2 innings, and a team-leading five saves. His strikeout rate was near 10 per nine innings, underscoring his dominance and ability to excel under pressure—the key characteristic of a closer.
Palencia's ascendance sparked discussion about his suitability to replace veteran closer Ryan Pressly, whose performance and strikeout rate had dipped notably. While Pressly maintained some save opportunities, Palencia’s explosive pitching and reliability have made him a compelling alternative, signalling a possible shift in the Cubs' bullpen hierarchy.
Palencia's journey has not been without challenges. He fell ill with hepatitis and had to rebuild himself. At 16, he gave up on his baseball dream due to failed tryouts with major league scouts in Venezuela. After a brief stint working at a food truck, Palencia decided to return to baseball at 18-19, despite most scouts considering him too old for top-tier signings.
Palencia credits his work on the mental aspect of the game for his success this season. Early in the year, Ryan Pressly, the veteran closer, provided him with blunt, much-needed advice, telling him to "keep his stuff in the zone." A scout for the Detroit Tigers once told Palencia he would never throw harder than 90-mph, a prediction he has since proven wrong.
As of this writing, Palencia's ERA is an impressive 1.86, and he has 8 saves with just 1 blown save in 27 appearances. His rise to the closer role is a testament to his talent, resilience, and the Cubs' trust in his explosive arm. His rapid rise highlights him as a discovery who could reshape the Cubs’ bullpen and their closer role in the near future.
- In the world of Major League Baseball (MLB), the news of Daniel Palencia's rise from obscurity to the Chicago Cubs' full-time closer is causing quite a stir, as this 23-year-old Venezuelan pitcher is demonstrating unprecedented growth in the face of adversity.
- Amidst the technological advancements that continue to shape war tactical strategies, Palencia's journey serves as a reminder of the importance of resilience and determination in achieving survival and success, much like a ball being hurled at 100 mph aiming to elude the swing of a baseball bat.
- In the realm of health, Palencia's past struggles with hepatitis and his subsequent comeback underscore the importance of perseverance and mental fortitude in overcoming obstacles, much like a seasoned manager adjusting lineups based on the health status of his players to maintain peak performance.
- Just as sports, like baseball, bring communities together and create a shared sense of camaraderie, Palencia's ascension to the MLB has resonated among the Cubs faithful, reminding us that stories of triumph over adversity remain an essential part of the human spirit and contribute to our collective morale, providing a glimmer of hope and inspiration in a world constantly evolving with technology.
