Daniel Palencia

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #17 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Palencia signed with the A’s for $10,000 when he was 20, four years older than most international signees, and was traded to the Cubs for Andrew Chafin at the 2021 trade deadline. Palencia broke out at High-A South Bend as a starter in his first full season with the Cubs and transitioned to relief in 2023 to help the team faster. He quickly rose through Double-A and Triple-A and made his big league debut on July 4, when he pitched two scoreless innings to earn the win. He remained in the Cubs bullpen the rest of the year and went 5-3, 4.45 in 27 appearances.
  
  Scouting Report: Palencia’s arm strength stands out in a big way. His fastball explodes out of his hand at 98-99 mph and regularly reaches 101 with hard ride and run. It’s an 80-grade pitch he throws with little effort out of his strong, stocky build. Palencia’s primary secondary pitch is a hard, short slider at 88-91 mph with late break that drops below barrels and flashes above-average. He also has an average, upper-80s changeup and usable low-80s curveball, but he effectively scrapped them with his move to the bullpen. Palencia is a good athlete, but he struggles to harness his power and has below-average control. His fastball command is inconsistent and his slider is primarily a chase pitch.
  
  The Future: Palencia has the stuff to be a high-leverage reliever if he can fine-tune his control. He should open in the Cubs bullpen in 2024.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 80 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 40
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #14 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Palencia signed with the Athletics for just $10,000 at age 20, ancient by international signing standards, and made only six appearances in Oakland's system before the A's traded him to the Cubs for reliever Andrew Chafin at the 2021 trade deadline. Palencia struggled with his control early at High-A South Bend in 2022, but he harnessed his stuff to become one of the system's breakthrough pitchers in the second half. He capped his season with five scoreless innings, no walks and eight strikeouts in the decisive game of the Midwest League semifinals.
  
  Scouting Report: Palencia's arm strength is unmatched in the Cubs system. Though he's short, he has a strong, powerful build and generates triple-digit fastballs with ease. His fastball sits 98-99 mph and routinely reaches 101-102 with explosive late life up in the zone. He leans on his fastball heavily, but he also has a low-90s vertical, power slider that has become a plus pitch he can land for strikes or get chase swings with. His firm, upper-80s changeup is an average third pitch. Palencia is a good athlete for his size, but he has struggled with a series of minor injuries--including foot and oblique injuries in 2022--and has below-average command and control, especially of his secondaries. He rarely completes five innings and is best in short bursts.
  
  The Future: Palencia projects to be a high-leverage reliever in the majors, although the Cubs will continue starting him for now. He'll head to Double-A in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 80. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 40

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Palencia signed with the Athletics for just $10,000 at age 20, ancient by international signing standards, and made only six appearances in Oakland's system before the A's traded him to the Cubs for reliever Andrew Chafin at the 2021 trade deadline. Palencia struggled with his control early at High-A South Bend in 2022, but he harnessed his stuff to become one of the system's breakthrough pitchers in the second half. He capped his season with five scoreless innings, no walks and eight strikeouts in the decisive game of the Midwest League semifinals.
  
  Scouting Report: Palencia's arm strength is unmatched in the Cubs system. Though he's short, he has a strong, powerful build and generates triple-digit fastballs with ease. His fastball sits 98-99 mph and routinely reaches 101-102 with explosive late life up in the zone. He leans on his fastball heavily, but he also has a low-90s vertical, power slider that has become a plus pitch he can land for strikes or get chase swings with. His firm, upper-80s changeup is an average third pitch. Palencia is a good athlete for his size, but he has struggled with a series of minor injuries--including foot and oblique injuries in 2022--and has below-average command and control, especially of his secondaries. He rarely completes five innings and is best in short bursts.
  
  The Future: Palencia projects to be a high-leverage reliever in the majors, although the Cubs will continue starting him for now. He'll head to Double-A in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 80. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 40
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Palencia signed with the Athletics for just $10,000 at age 20, ancient by international signing standards, and made only six appearances in Oakland's system before the A's traded him to the Cubs for reliever Andrew Chafin at the 2021 trade deadline. Palencia struggled with his control early at High-A South Bend in 2022, but he harnessed his stuff to become one of the system's breakthrough pitchers in the second half. He capped his season with five scoreless innings, no walks and eight strikeouts in the decisive game of the Midwest League semifinals.
  
  Scouting Report: Palencia's arm strength is unmatched in the Cubs system. Though he's short, he has a strong, powerful build and generates triple-digit fastballs with ease. His fastball sits 98-99 mph and routinely reaches 101-102 with explosive late life up in the zone. He leans on his fastball heavily, but he also has a low-90s vertical, power slider that has become a plus pitch he can land for strikes or get chase swings with. His firm, upper-80s changeup is an average third pitch. Palencia is a good athlete for his size, but he has struggled with a series of minor injuries--including foot and oblique injuries in 2022--and has below-average command and control, especially of his secondaries. He rarely completes five innings and is best in short bursts.
  
  The Future: Palencia projects to be a high-leverage reliever in the majors, although the Cubs will continue starting him for now. He'll head to Double-A in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 80. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 40
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Midseason Update: Acquired from the A&#39s as part of the deal for Andrew Chafin last year, Palencia has shown some of the best arm strength in the Cubs system. His fastball sits at 100 mph and touches 102 as a starter and his slider flashes plus, although it&#39s inconsistent. Palencia&#39s command and control are both below-average and his future is in the bullpen, but he has a chance to pitch in high-leverage situations with explosive stuff.