When the Cubs drafted Jake Reindl out of Arkansas in 2018, I was pretty excited about the selection. I couldn’t wait to see him pitch out of the bullpen last summer, but Jake was a little busy in the College World Series. After he signed, he did not pitch in a game at all. Despite that, I am still very bullish on just what he can be.
Basic Info
Height – 6‘1“
Weight – 185 pounds
Throws – Right
Age – 22
2019 Affiliates – Mesa and Eugene
Possible 2020 Spots – South Bend and Myrtle Beach
ETA – 2022 College – Arkansas.
It’s been rare when the Cubs take “college“ closers in the Theo era. They tend to take big strong guys who can physically handle the load as a starter and if they don’t work out then they can head to the bullpen.
For Reindl, he had two years of experience at Arkansas, a big-time college program, as a closer. He didn’t play much as a freshman, but of his three seasons his best year was his sophomore year when he worked 50.2 innings and struck out 44 batters while putting up a 2.31 ERA. He came back for his junior year and was almost as good but he helped lead his team into the College World Series. He got in 55.2 IP with 66 Ks and his ERA was a smidge higher at 2.91.
The best video of what he could do on the mound before this year was this impressive clip against Auburn where he pitched 7 innings of relief and he had his breaking ball working. It looks like a slider. Or it could be a hybrid. I hope to ask him about it next year just to see what he calls it and the grip he uses on it.
I love the special effects, but I love that the breaking ball when he keeps it down and away. It looks to be a very formidable pitch.
Back to his pro career, when Reindl eventually did make his first appearance this year, I was very excited even though it was in Mesa. He ultimately made his way to Eugene where I finally got to see him pitch.
In nine games for the Ems, he allowed three earned runs. He also struck out 13 opponents in 13 IP and his ERA was 2.08 with a batting average against for the year of .203.
Sometimes Eugene’s camera angles are not the best because it’s hard to get a true picture of what the baseball is doing. When I went back to get some video of Reindl, I think I got a pretty good grasp of how he’s throwing.
Let’s go to the video.
Even from the angle, that slider has a nasty bite to it. Unfortunately, he can’t throw a slider every pitch or his forearm would separate at a moment’s notice. Still, it is a very good pitch with a very sharp bite.
At 6’1” and 190 lbs., Reindl doesn’t have a lot of room to add weight but he can carry some more. When I watch him pitch, he has a quiet delivery with the ability to spot a low 90s fastball. Some added strength for 2020 would be welcome, but just working on his regular craft this winter should be all the help he needs to propel him up the system in 2020.
He might be the guy I most want to interview next spring, if he does end up at South Bend. He looks to be a natural when it comes to the press.
Cubs Central 
[…] the Cubs took Reindl out of Arkansas in the 17th round back in 2018, most were expecting big things because he had been a closer in the SEC, the best conference in college […]
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