Daniel Palencia Is A Rising Star For The Cubs

Chicago Cubs closer Daniel Palencia is a star in the making. 

After struggling in his first two Major League seasons, Palencia broke out in a big way in 2025. He had a 2.91 ERA, a 1.139 WHIP, 61 strikeouts, and 22 saves across 54 appearances for the Cubs. 

Despite not beginning the season in the Majors last year, the right-hander quickly emerged as a dominant bullpen arm for the North Siders. He allowed just two earned runs across his first 15 innings pitched (1.20 ERA). 

That strong start led Palencia to eventually earn the closer role in mid-May. He converted 15 of his first 16 save opportunities in that role to go with a 1.46 ERA and a 28.4% strikeout rate from May 19 to August 1. The Cubs reliever showcased pure dominance on the mound during this stretch. 

Now, Palencia did have some struggles toward the end of the 2025 season. He had an 8.74 ERA across 14 appearances from August 3 to September 7. However, those struggles could have been correlated to a shoulder injury that landed him on the 15-day IL in mid-September. 

Once Palencia returned from that shoulder injury, he went back to being untouchable. The 26-year-old allowed only three runs across 7 ⅔ innings in the postseason and delivered a scoreless appearance in six of his seven postseason games. 

With Palencia coming off a breakthrough campaign in 2025, this is just the start of what the right-hander can be in the big leagues. 

He ranked in the upper half of the league in expected ERA (3.26), expected batting average against (.225), whiff rate (27.5%), strikeout rate (28.4%), walk rate (7.4%), and barrel rate (4.4%) in 2025 and has one of the best fastballs in the game. Palencia’s average fastball velocity (99.6 mph) placed him in the 99th percentile last year. 

So, there is a real chance that the Cubs closer takes his game even further this upcoming season. He has shined in the biggest moments, which included closing out Venezuela’s win over Japan on Saturday night in the World Baseball Classic.  

Palencia made quick work in the ninth inning of that game by striking out two batters and inducing three whiffs across his 13 pitches thrown. He also got Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani to pop up to seal Venezuela’s victory.   

Those are the type of moments that Palencia is built for. The Cubs are looking for him to be even more consistent at the backend of their bullpen in 2026.