The Justin Steele era has officially begun for the CubsRussell Dorseyon August 10, 2021 at 10:35 pm

When the Cubs built their championship core, the team chose to build around a group of homegrown position players, filling their rotation needs via trades and free agency. Because of that, the challenge in recent years has been developing homegrown starting pitching.

The Cubs have begun their next chapter post-World Series core and it’s their homegrown pitching that could help expedite their rebuild as they enter this next phase.

Justin Steele burst onto the scene earlier this season as a member of the Cubs’ bullpen and after impressing as a reliever, the young southpaw forced his way into the team’s rotation plans.

“Getting lefty in the rotation is fun,” pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said. “Get some new weapons and some new scouting reports. … For him in particular, I think he’s done everything he needed to do to kind of show us his ability to be a starter and get stretched out.”

Steele took the mound for the first time as a starter in the big leagues on Tuesday against the Brewers and started his path to what the Cubs hope is a permanent spot in their future rotation.

“It means the world to me to get out there and start for the Chicago Cubs,” Steele said after the game. “Something I’ve been dreaming of my whole entire life. When it’s finally here and it’s happening, it’s just a true blessing.”

In the most anticipated start by a Cubs rookie starter since Adbert Alzolay made his debut in 2019, Steele didn’t look overwhelmed by the moment, showing the same poise that made him one of manager David Ross’ go-to guys in the bullpen.

The Cubs’ left-hander was thrown right into the fire against the first-place Brewers and quickly got into a rhythm and got weak contact, inducing seven groundballs in the first and second inning and cruised through his first three innings of work.

“I was calm and composed,” Steele said. “I felt really good out there. Felt good to be back at Wrigley and pitching again.”

Things came to a screeching halt for Steele in the fourth inning after an extended bottom of the third. He allowed a homer to Willy Adames, double to Eduardo Escobar and two-run homer to Avisail Garcia before getting his first out of the fourth.

But he was able to get himself back on track without allowing any more damage. Steele finished his outing with a scoreless fifth inning. He allowed three runs on five hits with a walk and a strikeout over five innings.

I thought he threw the ball really well,” Ross said. He started off really nice. Got a lot of groundballs, a lot of movement on his pitches. … I think it was nice for him to settle in and still give us some outs. Things happen quick, especially here sometimes and he settled in nicely and definitely locked back in. It was nice to see.”

Steele, along with Alzolay, presents the Cubs with an interesting possibility for what their short and long term future looks like. While both are in their first full season in the big leagues, the two 26-year-olds are entering their prime years and for the first time in a long time, provide the Cubs with a vision of homegrown arms in their staff years to come.

“We [have been] pitching in the same rotation for four years in a row,” Alzolay said. “So for me, it’s gonna be special having one of my best friends next to me in the rotation.”

The Cubs’ final two months won’t have much barring on the team’s future, but Steele’s development at the major-league level will be something worth watching. Regardless of the results from Steele’s first start, his growth becomes a priority.

“Each time I go out there, I’m trying to prove something,” Steele said. “I’m trying to show that I can be a part of this up and coming [group]. That’s why we’re here. We’re here to win championships. So I’m gonna do whatever I can to be a part of that and each time I take the mound I’m going to show it.”

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