Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell made it official Saturday by announcing Justin Steele as his Opening Day starter for the 2024 season. The left-hander will toe the rubber on March 28 when the Cubs visit the World Series champion Texas Rangers.
It's a nationally televised game on ESPN, but the spotlight shouldn't bother the Cubs' ace one bit. Last season, Steele posted a 3.06 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 30 starts. As a 4.9 fWAR player, he certainly was deserving of his first career All-Star nod.
The Opening Day nod is a well-deserved honor for a Steele, who exploded onto the scene last season. Operating behind former teammate Marcus Stroman in the rotation, Steele blossomed for a Cubs team that hovered on the brink of playoff contention.
At age 28, Steele still has plenty of prime years ahead of him. The Cubs have to feel excited about the trajectory of the southpaw coinciding with their climb back to being a playoff-contending team.
Chicago has experienced difficulty developing pitching in years past, but Steele is bucking the trend with proven results and leadership abilities.
With Kyle Hendricks, Shota Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon also in the rotation, the Cubs should feel confident with their pitching staff entering the 2024 season. And by midseason, top pitching prospect Cade Horton could provide reinforcements if all goes well with his development.
The North Siders' future is bright, and Steele looks to be a starting rotation staple for years to come.
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