Chicago Cubs: Javier Assad thriving despite being consistently overlooked

A mature, steady, and highly efficient Assad has been a godsend to a Cubs rotation battered and beleaguered to the point of breaking. Paired with the surprising Ben Brown, Assad’s recent run of success has been among the only positive developments when it come to Chicago’s starting pitching.

“Javy keeps telling you, ‘I’ll be ready when I get my opportunity,’” Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters after Friday’s game. “That’s what it takes.”

“He pitched great,” Counsell added. “In the strike zone. Controlled counts. Ball on the ground. A real boost. We’ve talked about guys getting opportunities, and certainly Javy in a time that we really need it has delivered a couple big starts. Big, big performances.”

And the young pitcher has to be extra diligent in seizing opportunities because the Cubs, for whatever reason, have not been so keen to consistently trust him with those opportunities.

Not getting a fair shake with the Cubs?

It’s been a puzzling prejudice against a young, team-controlled pitcher working on a budget salary below $2 million. But the Cubs can’t seem to help themselves when it comes to underestimating and/or flat-out disregarding the righty.

Through his five seasons with the big league Cubs, Assad has a 3.56 ERA over 58 starts and 293.2 innings. Overall, he’s posted a 3.48 ERA through 88 games and 369.1 innings.

All he’s done is deliver consistent quality performances in every role assigned to him, yet he didn’t even start the season with the big league team and has been sent down to Triple-A twice already.

While his back-and-forth runs to Iowa can be traced to his status as one of the few Cubs pitchers remaining with minor league options, the demotions are also a potential kick to the shin for self-esteem as well as for his career.

To his credit, though, he’s been taking all of this in stride and just focusing on what’s in his control—his performances on the mound.

“I try to take advantage of every opportunity,” Assad said via interpreter after Friday’s stellar start. “Obviously, I like to start games. That’s what I’ve done. But whatever opportunity it is…I’m always going to be ready.”

Hopefully for the Cubs, Assad gets to stick around this time and actually prove what he can do.