After a lost season, can Porter Hodge rediscover his dominant sweeper? Analysts predict a major comeback for the Cubs' reliever in 2026.
Every season, there are plenty of players who break out in the Major Leagues.
Last year, the Chicago Cubs had both Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch break out. Crow-Armstrong totaled 31 home runs, 37 doubles, and 95 RBI, while Busch upped his numbers from his rookie season with 34 homers and 90 RBI.
So, which Cubs player could break out during the 2026 season?
Thomas Nestico (TJStats) believes that right-handed reliever Porter Hodge will break out for the Cubs this season. Nestico went through all 30 MLB teams and selected one breakout candidate for each. Hodge was Nestico’s selection for the North Siders.
Hodge is just two years removed from a strong campaign with the Cubs. He finished with a 1.88 ERA, nine saves, and 52 strikeouts across 43 innings pitched in 2024.
However, Hodge regressed significantly last season. He had a 6.27 ERA across 33 innings pitched and missed some time due to injuries throughout the year. The right-hander suffered an oblique strain in May and a shoulder impingement in July.
It was really a season to forget for Hodge. He struggled on the mound, dealt with a few different injuries, and spent time in Triple-A in the second half of the year. Nothing simply went right for him in 2025.
He now faces an uphill battle to make the Cubs’ Opening Day roster. With Phil Maton, Hoby Milner, Caleb Thielbar, Jacob Webb, Hunter Harvey, Daniel Palencia, and Colin Rea all locks to make the roster ahead of Spring Training, Hodge could start the season in Triple-A.
Despite that, Nestico still believes Hodge has the potential to make an impact with the Cubs and break out in 2026.
“Hodge is expected to be healthy for the start of Spring Training, and I still believe he has the stuff to cement himself as a high-leverage arm for the Cubs,” Nestico wrote.”His cut-ride fastball and big sweeping slider grade out exceptionally well in pitch models and give him the foundation to post strong strikeout rates while limiting hard contact.”
The key for Hodge to break out this season is his sweeper.
Back in 2024, Hodge’s sweeper was easily his best pitch. Opposing hitters batted .070 against that pitch, and Hodge had a whopping 51.8% whiff rate on that sweeper. With a 36.4% putaway rate, it was clear that his sweeper carried him throughout the year.
In 2025, though, his sweeper wasn’t as strong a pitch for him. Opposing hitters had a .281 batting average with a .614 slugging percentage against that pitch, and Hodge only had a 27.4% whiff rate on that sweeper.
So, Hodge has to rediscover that sweeper again in 2026. If he does, he could emerge as a high-leverage arm for the Cubs as he did two years ago.