Fireballer's mindset? 'I'm a monster.' His debut followed suit

This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian’s Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

MILWAUKEE -- Daniel Palencia reached back into his locker on Tuesday night and retrieved the two baseballs that had been authenticated and gifted to him. One came from the Cubs rookie’s first recorded out and the other from the last out of one of the wildest wins of the season.

What did Palencia plan on doing with the baseballs?

“Just put them in my room and watch them all night,” said Palencia, who could not stop smiling.

Palencia had quite the introduction to the Major Leagues on Tuesday in Milwaukee, and the 23-year-old righty made a strong first impression. In a 6-6 game against the rival Brewers, and with every win carrying so much weight right now for Chicago, Palencia was handed the ball for the 10th and 11th innings for his MLB debut.

No pressure, kid.

In a raucous environment, Palencia showed off some poise and benefited from his defense. Each of the final two frames ended with a double play -- both featuring a runner thrown out at home by left fielder Ian Happ -- and Palencia wound up with the “W” next to his name after the Cubs’ 7-6 victory.

“I don’t have words for anything right now,” Palencia said.

One thing that stood out to manager David Ross was the first pitch that Palencia threw. The book on the right-hander is that he features a fastball that can touch 100-101 mph. Facing Willy Adames to open the 10th, Palencia started his big league career with a slider, generating a swing and miss.

“That environment first time out, to calm the nerves, the place is on its feet,” Ross said. “To land that first-pitch slider to Adames was just one of those things that tells you how calm and collected he is and for the moment. And I know he didn't sleep a lot [Monday] night getting that callup.”

The Cubs summoned Palencia (Pipeline’s No. 13 Cubs prospect) from Triple-A Iowa before Tuesday’s game, following his in-season transition from starting to relieving. Palencia -- acquired from the A’s in the Andrew Chafin trade at the Deadline in ‘21 -- opened the season with five starts at Double-A Tennessee, but then took a pause in May to head to Arizona to work on a move to the bullpen.

From there, Palencia joined Iowa and amassed 18 strikeouts against seven walks in 13 2/3 innings. He posted a 7.90 ERA, but 11 of the 12 runs charged against him came in three rough outings. Prior to the call to the Majors, Palencia allowed no runs in five of six games with 11 strikeouts and two walks in 5 2/3 innings.

“I don't think that transition is entirely done yet, but he's gotten better and better,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. “And he should be a weapon in the bullpen. We need him to adjust quickly, obviously. But, big picture, he's a guy we're excited about and has a great arm. He's got multiple pitches, and he competes.”

Palencia said he felt the shift to the bullpen could create a faster road to the Major Leagues.

“I was thinking, this is a big chance for me,” he said.

Palencia said a big part of his work in Arizona was simulating situations that a reliever would encounter. The righty said he learned to really like those moments and loved the idea of being counted on in crucial situations. In the process, Palencia said he also felt he turned a corner with his mentality.

“It’s just more confidence,” Palencia said. “My mindset when I’m on the mound is, ‘I’m a monster.’ When somebody asks me, ‘How are you feeling?’ I say, ‘Like a monster.’”

El Monstruo delivered a memorable debut.

“It’s a dream for me,” he said. “I’m so happy. I’m dreaming right now.”