Chicago — Even as other teams are still groping the trade market, the Chicago Cubs have quietly made a splash with a hugely strategic signing: They signed young hometown pitcher Sam Mettert to a minor league deal, a seemingly discreet but calculated move for next season. ClutchPoints
Mettert, a 2025 St. John’s University graduate, has the Cubs coaching staff watching with a 98 mph pitch at Tread Athletics — a number that has everyone on his toes.
While Mettert’s college record isn’t stellar (a 7.17 ERA over two years), his 51/33 strikeout/ball-to-walk ratio suggests he has the potential to grow. The Cubs are clearly willing to bet on the future, putting their faith in a talent that hasn’t yet fully formed.
The move resonates because of the difference in Chicago’s strategy. Not to spend big on a star right away, but to proactively seek out a “gem in the rough” that can be shaped early — a smart move for a team that just returned to the playoffs after a long absence since 2020.
But the excitement also comes with a caveat. Analytics show that Mettert will have to climb a “vertical mountain”: starting lower in the MiLB system, proving his ability to handle the ball and play against professional opponents — a very different stage than college.
For Cubs fans, it’s a clear sign: the team is no longer just waiting; they are actively building a force with a long-term view and a strong outlook. Especially when the rumors behind Kyle Tucker’s huge contract or the rotation are more intense than ever.
Cubs chief baseball officer Jed Hoyer once assessed: “When Kyle leads, the team leads. When he struggles, the team struggles. So the focus this season will be how to make the team not depend on one guy.”
With Mettert, even though it was only a small contract, the Cubs’ brilliant pitching and early decision made a strong impact. Almost immediately, fans and media created hashtags like #CubsDraftTheFuture and #MettertPower, emphasizing expectations not only for current performance but also for the future.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be different: not just about conquering the playoffs, but building a “team of the future” — where each player is a solid piece rather than a temporary one. And placing that expectation on a young pitcher, just starting out in the majors, may feel reckless—but for the Cubs, it’s the beginning of a quiet revolution.
If Mettert proves himself, the 98 mph throw will be more than just a number—it will be a symbol of a baseball team that’s finding its feet and putting its faith in the next generation. And if he fails, the gamble will be remembered as a milestone: the Cubs dared to act early, boldly, and differently.
And now, all eyes are on Chicago, where a small deal could open a new chapter of ambition. When the right “gem in the rough” meets the right time, history can be rewritten—and Sam Mettert is the first to write it.
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