Chicago Cubs Starter Steele Will Approach 2023 a Little Differently
On Tuesday night, the Chicago Cubs turned to Justin Steele under the lights at Sloan Park. The 27-year-old made his second Cactus League start after being delayed by arm fatigue.
Steele made two mistakes in what was otherwise a solid outing. Colorado Rockies infielder Elehuris Montero took him deep for a solo home run in the top of the second inning. Ryan McMahon followed with a two-run shot in the third inning.
Beyond those two pitches, Steele was effective, fanning four over 2.2 innings of work before manager David Ross came out to get him with a runner on first.
This season is entirely different from how the lefty came into camp a year ago. In 2022, Steele was just simply trying to make the team. It didn't matter in what capacity. He came up as a reliever but also had experience starting in the minors for the Cubs.
He was ready to do whatever the team asked.
However, Steele is entering this year knowing he will be part of the rotation.
A strong second half of last season cemented his spot in the starting five. After the All-Star break he pitched in 36.2 innings of work, fanning 47 batters to go along with a ridiculous 0.98 ERA. Among Major League pitchers who threw at least 30 innings, Steele's ERA was the best in the second half.
"Coming into this year, it's a little bit different. I got a year under my belt last year and was able to build off some success in the second half, so it's definitely been a completely different spring for me as far as that stuff goes," Steele said after Tuesday's start.
His year was prematurely shut down at the end of August with lower-back tightness. With the Cubs not in contention for a playoff spot, Ross determined it was best to end Steele's year on a high note.
The southpaw is going into this season with the mindset of preparing for a 162-game schedule from the rotation. Steele noted earlier in camp that 34 starts and 180-plus innings were his goals for 2023.
The Lucedale, Miss., native moved to Arizona in the offseason to be closer to the Cubs' spring training complex. He's been working with the staff since he was healthy enough after last year ended.
He's done everything to put himself in a position to succeed in 2023.
"This year, I feel like I'm doing a good job of using the full six weeks we've had and making sure we're pacing everything, and I'm built up to the number of pitches that I want to be built up to by the time the start of the season gets here," he said.
"If I'm around where I want to be as far as pitch count and have nights like tonight where I'm feeling good with all my pitches, I think we're in a good spot."
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