Wesneski turning heads in bid for '23 rotation spot

CHICAGO -- Every time Cubs manager David Ross has seen Hayden Wesneski around the clubhouse, the rookie pitcher always seems to be moving. There is a purpose to Wesneski's work that has reminded Ross of someone familiar to Cubs fans.

"I don't want to compare the two," Ross said, "but like a Jon Lester that comes in and has a routine -- 'Don't mess up my routine; I'm busy and I'm moving.' I don't see him sitting at his locker and on the phone too much.

"You know, he's here to work. And he's engaged on the bench, and he's talking baseball. He's hungry to be better. He wants to be great."

In a 4-2 victory over the Phillies on Wednesday at Wrigley Field, Wesneski turned in another solid performance in this late-season push to convince the Cubs he can be part of the 2023 rotation. The right-hander was not as overpowering as previous outings, but he limited the damage to one run over his five-plus innings.

The Cubs had familiarity with Wesneski before they acquired him from the Yankees at the Trade Deadline -- assistant pitching coach Daniel Moskos previously worked with him in New York's farm system -- but this month has given the club a chance to really get to know Chicago's No. 12-ranked prospect.

Here are three things the Cubs have learned about Wesneski since his promotion to the big leagues:

1. Big moments have not sped up on him

In the fourth inning, Wesneski surrendered three soft singles -- each with an exit velocity of less than 80 mph -- to find himself in a bases-loaded jam. Stepping into the batter's box was lefty slugger Kyle Schwarber, who has sent plenty of baseballs flying into Wrigley Field's bleachers in his career.

"It doesn't feel like things get too big for him," Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said of Wesneski. "He kind of handles the situation really well."

Schwarber worked into a 3-1 count, but then Wesneski fired a cutter in the zone that the Phillies outfielder rolled over for an inning-ending groundout. Overall, Philadelphia went 1-for-8 against the rookie with runners in scoring position.

Following that out against Schwarber, Wesneski hustled over to first in case he was needed. As first baseman Alfonso Rivas handled the play on his own, the pitcher gave a quick slap of his glove in celebration of the key out.

"It doesn't seem like the heartbeat gets too high," Ross said. "I watch a lot of the emotions after a big out or a big inning. Some guys get the third out ... and there's a huge yell or a fist pump or a glove pat -- super emotional. Or there's some guys that are just like, 'I knew I had that all along. No big deal.'"

2. His pitch arsenal plays, even on an off night

Wesneski often chats with his dad after his outings, and Wednesday was no different. The righty pitched well enough to position the Cubs to win, but his elite slider felt off, especially with two strikes, and he leaned more on his sinker than usual.

Wesneski's father offered some complimentary feedback.

"He said that was probably the best outing I had, where I didn't have my stuff or worked with what I had," said Wesneski, who struck out three, walked two and allowed six hits. "I was battling and they had some good at-bats. And it was just -- they're a tough lineup. I mean, I didn't feel like I pitched great, but it was good enough."

That is a character trait of good pitchers.

Dominating performances come and go, but teams need starters who can still win a game when a pitch goes missing or strikeouts are hard to find. Wesneski has shown an early ability to succeed in both of those lanes, turning in a 2.33 ERA in five games overall. In three starts, he has a 1.96 ERA with 16 strikeouts and four walks in 18 1/3 innings.

3. He displays a "veteran" routine behind the scenes

Having a Major League-ready repertoire is one thing. What has really jumped out to Ross, Hottovy and others around the Cubs is how Wesneski has already had a routine and mindset that can take some young players years to develop.

"Wes has got a veteran presence about him -- his routine, his work, his mental aptitude," Ross said. "Wes feels a little bit mentally further along than some guys."

Hottovy said the 24-year-old Wesneski arrived with a conviction in his approach on the mound.

"He's a very rare professional for a young guy who didn't have any Major League experience," said the pitching coach. "He knows what he wants to do. He knows what makes him successful. And I think that, in and of itself, is such a huge thing for young guys to be able to do when they come up. Know what makes you successful.

"Yes, we're going to be able to find ways to continue to work on things and hone things in, but his knowledge of himself -- what makes him tick, what makes him good -- I think is the key foundation for what he does."