This much is certain – Daniel Palencia has a big, big arm. However, he’s got some work to do on everything else. The 21-year-old from Venezuela was acquired this summer in the Andrew Chafin deal with the A’s. Since coming to the Cubs, Palencia has pitched exclusively at Myrtle Beach as a starter. So, far the fastball has been his calling card and it has been impressive.
Basic Info
Age – 21
Height – 5-foot-11
Weight – 160
Throws – Right
Signed as an IFA in February 2020
From Venezuela
Before coming to the Cubs, not much was really known about Palencia. He signed as an international free agent the agent just turning 20 in February 2020. He debuted professionally this spring with the Stockton Ports which was a pretty aggressive move since he had not pitched in rookie league or EXST. Palencia made six short starts for Stockton and had an ERA of 6.91. He struck out 14 in 14.1 innings, he walked six, and hit two batters. His WHIP was pretty high at 1.60 and had a batting average against of .309.
Still, Valencia is highly valued. Here is what Fangraphs had to say in their top A’s prospect list earlier this year:
He came out in 2021 Extended throwing huge heat in just an outing or two before he was sent to Stockton not long before list publication. He was 97-99 in those outings. Palencia is a squat young man with a longer arm action, but he has a feel for creating bat-missing breaking ball depth, and he obviously has a huge arm.
That last line says it all. It helps to have a really big arm that can hit triple digits. He just really does not have command of his breaking stuff down but it’s hard to coach 100.. He’s going to be a work in progress and it may take a couple years to figure out what his role is going to be. Since he’s only 21 years old, there’s not really a rush to get him through the system with his current spotty command.
With Myrtle Beach, his metrics are a little similar except for a couple of stats. When I began writing this post he had a 6.54 ERA and had thrown just 17.1 innings. He just struck out 18 but his batting average against was a lowly .200. Unfortunately, he also walked quite a few guys. When I finished the post, his ERA dropped to 4.50 over 22 innings with 31 Ks. That’s a pretty impressive K ratio.
He’ll be all of 22 years old to start 2022. The key to his future development is what else he is going to throw with his gas along with his ability to command said secondaries. He should work he his way to South Bend this winter especially if he can get one of his secondaries under control.
Cubs Central 