Chicago Cubs Pitcher of the Month: May 2024

Héctor Neris has been in the big leagues for a long time, and at times, he has had a ton of success. Shota Imanaga was the choice in April. How did he follow it up in May? Did his final start of the month cost him a top spot?

With Jordan Wicks out, the Cubs really needed Ben Brown to step up and perform. He did exactly that, and has therefore earned himself a spot in this rotation going forward. Brown didn't just keep the team alive in his starts, but he gave them every chance he could by being one of the best starting pitchers in the month of May. Let's get right to it. 

Top 3 Cubs Pitchers in May

#3: RHP Héctor Neris
Once Adbert Alzolay struggled for a few weeks, he was demoted out of the closer position. Neris pitched 10 innings during the month of May, and boasted a 2.70 ERA with two saves. He also had a 4-0 record, which isn’t necessarily great due to the fact he’s the closer. Hayden Wesneski said that the clubhouse nicknamed him “Heart Attack Héctor,” which was a nickname some fans gave him online as well. It’s not wrong, as he often does let players reach base before finishing the game. Giving up home runs has been a big problem for the bullpen, but thankfully Neris didn’t allow a long ball all month.

He gave up a run in his last two appearances, but otherwise had one run allowed in all of May. His opponent’s xwOBA went down by 45 points during the month, and he trimmed his walk rate impressively. He started a new tradition after each win, giving a 'W' flag to a pitcher and player of the game. He has the veteran leadership needed to help this young bullpen, and hopefully, he continues to improve into June. 

#2: LHP Shota Imanaga
Imanaga was our winner last month, and continued to be absolutely insane throughout the month of May. He gave up seven runs to the Brewers in his last start after 10 days of rest, but even after that, he has the third-best ERA in the major leagues. Imanaga has one of the best fastballs in baseball, which he mixes in with his splitter to change speeds. The four-seam fastball has a +12 run value, with opponents hitting .180 and boasting a .236 wOBA off of that pitch so far this season. 

In five starts this month, he allowed nine runs and threw 30 1/3 innings. He allowed two of those runs against the Padres, when Craig Counsell sent him out for the eighth inning. He gave up a two-run home run to Jurickson Profar, which were the only runs he allowed all game. 

If he hadn’t given up so many runs to the Brewers in his last start of the month, I would have considered him as the winner once again. However, he came up just short. 

Imanaga had a 2.67 ERA in May, with a 9.2 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9. He earned his first loss in his short MLB career, but otherwise was very effective. 

Chicago Cubs Pitcher of the Month (May): RHP Ben Brown
Brown was incredible throughout May, over 23 1/3 innings. Brown started three times, and came out of the bullpen three times, as well. Brown began the month with a start in New York versus the Mets, with two runs allowed in 4 2/3 innings. Counsell then proceeded to use him three times in the bullpen for 7 2/3 innings total, in which he gave up one earned run. 

Brown’s WHIP was 0.94 and his ERA was 1.16, striking out 33 batters. His last outing was in Milwaukee, where he threw seven hitless innings. Counsell took him out at that point, but he was brilliant, striking out 10 and only walking two batters. One of the coolest things about Brown is the fact that he only throws two pitches, drawing many comparisons to a closer. Brown normally will throw a four-seam fastball, as well as mixing in a knuckle curve and the very rare changeup or sweeper. Brown has only allowed two home runs all year, with a 38.4% ground ball rate. His curveball has a +8 run value, one of the most valuable breaking balls in all of baseball. 

If I had to give Brown one critique, it’s that he gives up a lot of hard contact. His average exit velocity given up of 93.4 miles per hour is the worst in baseball, and so is his hard-hit rate. This is not great, but his whiff rate is 31.7% (89th percentile), so it’s nice to know that he isn’t letting the batter make contact very often.

With Wicks out, the Cubs really needed Brown. He met the challenge, and has therefore earned himself a spot in this rotation going forward. Brown didn't just keep the team alive in his starts, but he gave them every chance he could by being one of the best starting pitchers in the month of May. I’m in favor of the Cubs using a six-man rotation, which would mean Brown continuing to start. However, if they don’t do this, he will most likely be a late-inning reliever, which could work as well. No matter where he's placed, Brown has a very bright future ahead of him.