Chicago Cubs Lineup (2/28/25): Bruján Leads Off, Turner 1B, Steele Makes Second Spring Start

The Cubs simply cannot be beaten, though they sure do like being tied up. In true spring training fashion, their last two contests have concluded in 4-4 ties. Maybe they can break that streak one way or the other as they head out to Surprise to face the Rangers. Far more frustrating than the recent results is the inability to watch or even listen to many of these Cactus League games. It’s also very odd to me that the Cubs don’t have the capability to incorporate ABS challenges at Sloan Park.

Or perhaps they do and they want to keep other clubs from being privy to the tech they’ve got in place. Given what we know about the front office’s heavy investments in tech and data, I find it very hard to believe Sloan isn’t on par with other Phoenix-area ballparks. I mean, they have weather sensors installed all over Wrigley just to know how to position outfielders based on wind conditions. Alas.

Justin Steele doesn’t need to challenge the calls on his pitches anyway; that’s how good he is. He struck out five batters over two innings in his first start, needing only 28 pitches to finish the outing. Steele is at his best when he’s throwing strikes and challenging hitters, though I’ve noted many times that incorporating a changeup might get him some more whiffs.

Cubs hitters need to avoid whiffs, but they’ve got a pretty green lineup for this one. Vidal Bruján is at short as he gets every opportunity to prove he deserves a roster spot, then it’s Justin Turner at first and Miguel Amaya behind the plate. Kevin Alcántara cleans up as the right fielder, James Triantos is the DH, Greg Allen is in left, and Travis Jankowski handles center. Gage Workman is at third and Ben Cowles is at second.

They’re facing Cody Bradford for the second time this spring, the first of which saw the lefty carve up Cubs hitters on just 24 pitches in two innings. The 27-year-old was drafted in 2019, but didn’t pitch professionally until ’21 due to the pandemic shutdown. He debuted two years later and got subpar results, then took a big step forward in ’24 over 14 total appearances (13 starts).

Despite averaging less than 90 mph on his four-seam, Bradford was in the 87th percentile for fastball run value because his cut-ride offering is very deceptive. Think of Steele with a higher arm slot. Bradford also gets elite extension, releasing the ball 7.1 feet from the rubber, to make his stuff play up a bit more than the metrics otherwise indicate. The other factor in his fastball’s success is a changeup that possesses similar movement characteristics.

By leveraging movement, a steep approach angle, extension, and velocity changes, Bradford has found success in a manner quite different from what we’re used to seeing these days. He’s also a strike-thrower, which can work either for or against him. Though he’s in the 80th percentile for hard-hit rate, he’s in the 24th for barrel rate. That means hitters don’t square him up well, but they can really tag him when they do. Hence those 21 homers allowed in 132.1 MLB innings.

Now that we’re getting to the second turn through teams’ modified rotations, we should start to see starters getting to at least three innings of work. That means expanded repertoires and more reliable information on pitch types. Of course, that only really matters if you can actually see the game.

Today’s 2:05pm CT start is an audio-only affair, with 670 The Score on the coverage.

Steele bump day! pic.twitter.com/zLSGhqOiif

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 28, 2025