Justin Steele turning into an ace before Chicago Cubs eyes

The Chicago Cubs have been looking for a new top of the rotation starter. They may have found one in Justin Steele.

That certainly did not appear to be the case at the start of the year. Steele had posted a 5.40 ERA and a 1.575 WHiP in his 40 innings through the end of May. While he had moments of brilliance and struck out 46 batters in that time frame, he just did not seem ready to be anything more than a back of the rotation arm.

Justin Steele becoming Chicago Cubs ace

But things have changed since then. Once the calendar flipped to June, Steele flipped a switch as well. He has 2.08 ERA and a 1.181 WHiP in his 73.2 innings since the end of May, striking out 74 batters with just 23 walks. That is the type of production that the Cubs desperately need in their rotation.

The Cubs knew they needed to find a top of the rotation arm. In theory, that was supposed to be Marcus Stroman, especially after he signed a two year deal worth $50 million, not including a player option that could be worth up to $25 million for 2024.

While Stroman has been solid when he has been on the mound, it is Steele that is emerging as their top starter. Considering that he was never considered one of the Cubs’ top prospect, and was ranked 25th in their organization at the end of the 2020 season, his ascension has certainly been remarkable to watch.

Now it is a matter of sustaining that success. If Steele can finish off the 2022 campaign on the same sort of run, he could set himself up to be that ace the Cubs need. Should that happen, with a solid offseason, the Cubs could be closer to contending than one would have expected.

Justin Steele has taken a big step forward since the end of May. If he continues at this rate, he could be the Chicago Cubs’ next ace.