Will Dillon Maples ever show enough consistency to be a major league reliever? So far he hasn’t proven it with the Cubs, but he’ll be joining the bullpen for the last few weeks of the season.
The Cubs called up the right-hander before starting a 10-game home stand on Friday.
Maples has appeared in 11 games for the Cubs this season, posting a 6.75 ERA in 9.1 innings. He’s walked 10 and hit two, while striking out 14. Maples has 34 strikeouts in 20 MLB innings. But he’s also walked 21 and hit four batters.
At Triple-A this season, Maples struck out 79 and walked 36 in 43 innings. He finished the regular season striking out 21 hitters in 12.1 innings, while walking seven in his final nine appearances.
Maples has nasty stuff, but far too often he doesn’t know where it’s going, at least that’s been the case when he’s been up with the Cubs.
But when he’s got his control, Maples is unhittable.
Maples had a 2.86 ERA in 22 innings after the All-Star break in Triple-A.
