Former Mariners Top Pick Danny Hultzen on Verge of Making Amazing Comeback With Cubs
Danny Hultzen has had one roller coaster of a career. After being drafted second overall by the Seattle Mariners in 2011 and making his way up to Triple-A Tacoma by 2013, the pitcher suffered injuries to his labrum and rotator cuff, keeping him out all of the 2014 season. His next opportunity did not come until last summer when the Chicago Cubs signed him to a minor league contract.
Since then, Hultzen has remained healthy and regained his mid-90s fastball, forcing the Cubs to put him on an accelerated schedule with Triple-A Iowa. And now it seems like the once-promising pitcher will have his shot at the big leagues once again.
After shoulder injuries derailed his promising career, 29-year-old left-hander Danny Hultzen now has a chance to reach the majors with the Cubs.
— Chicago Sports (@ChicagoSports) June 26, 2019
“He’s a great story,” President Theo Epstein said. “He’s certainly got the stuff to be in consideration.”https://t.co/EVqbEsVrJp pic.twitter.com/eeLR1r811l
The Cubs organization seems excited about Hultzen's potential, but is still looking to see how his shoulder will respond to the higher level of competition after being out for so long.
Man... Danny Hultzen does it again for the @IowaCubs. Comes in with a runner on 1st and nobody out in the eighth, retires the next three batters with ease. Struck out last batter with a pair of 95 mph fastballs.
— Alex Cohen (@voiceofcohen) June 26, 2019
Hultzen has shown the Cubs that he could be successful against big league hitters. In two relief appearances for Iowa, he has allowed no runs, but they are still waiting to see how he will hold up in the long run (and while enduring the stress of back-to-back days).
If Hultzen can stay healthy and consistent in Iowa, it's just a matter of time before Cubs fans will see him making his major league debut.
If the major league bullpen is the 29-year-old's ticket to success, I don't think he'll mind, however. Any road that ends in that big league cap will work for Hultzen, a man who's been through the wringer.