The Chicago Cubs added veteran reliever Taylor Rogers at the trade deadline, acquiring the left-hander from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a 2024 draft pick. Ivan Brethowr, 22, was selected in the seventh round of last year’s draft by the Cubs out of UC Santa Barbara and he was sent over to the Pirates for Rogers.
The 6-foot-6, outfielder got an Aaron Judge comp from his college coach, and while that’s completely unfair to Brethowr, he hasn’t really hit for much power since making his pro debut. The right-handed batter hit four home runs in 83 games with the South Bend Cubs at A+ Ball this year. Brethowr slashed .221/.398/.312, in 344 plate appearances.
Last year in 23 games in Low A-Ball with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Brethowr hit two home runs and hit .169 in 83 at-bats.
Brethowr was in spring training with the Cubs earlier this year and he made an impression almost immediately. He crushed a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a Cactus League game, showing off his raw power.
Obviously has a lot of strength, but Brethowr still has a long way to go in the minors before developing into a potential major-leaguer.
