Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Cubs' Hayden Wesneski Continues to Shine in Spring Training

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Tyler Edmunds | Last updated 3/7/23

The right-hander had three strikeouts Monday as he continues to make his case for the Cubs' fifth starter role.

Coming off an impressive Spring Training debut last week that included a four-strikeout performance in two innings, Chicago Cubs pitcher Hayden Wesneski continued to dazzle in his second exhibition outing.

In 2.2 innings against the Seattle Mariners, Wesneski struck out three, walked one, and allowed one unearned run (thanks to a throwing error) on four hits. After Monday's game, he spoke with Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network about his work.

“You try to take away the good and bad and digest it,” Wesneski said. “Every time I go look at stuff like that, usually the good is worse than I think it is and the bad is usually better than I think it is. It’s trying to meet in the middle somewhere and we’ll figure out what we gotta do.”

So far this spring, Wesneski has surrendered zero earned runs and leads Cubs’ pitchers with seven strikeouts. Amid the competition for the fifth spot in the Cubs starting rotation , and the 25-year-old has easily caught the attention of manager David Ross.

If the 2023 MLB season started tomorrow, it would be hard to argue against Hayden Wesneski making the Chicago Cubs rotation. With the pitching depth the Cubs have on their roster, it will be interesting to see who earns the fifth starter spot come Opening Day.

But one thing is certain: you’re not going to want to miss a single Wes-Nasty start this spring.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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