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Porter Hodge 2025 Player Outlook: Solid But Unspectacular Sophomore Season In The Works
2 months agoChicago Cubs reliever Porter Hodge burst onto the scene in May of 2024, eventually taking over as the Cubs' closer in late August. The 23-year-old posted a 1.88 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and a 20.1% K-BB% over 43 innings pitched, but the numbers were even a bit better during his time as the "official" closer, recording a 1.32 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and a 21.2% K-BB% while converting eight of nine save opportunities. The 6-foot-4 hurler is the 18th closer coming off the board in 2025 drafts, behind David Bednar of the Pirates who struggled mightily last season (5.77 ERA, 11.5% K-BB%, 7 BS), and with the Cubs as favorites to win the division, Hodge should have plenty of chances to outperform Bednar, or at least his own current NFBC ADP of 194. However, with an 11.6% BB% last season for the Cubs and a 5.6% HR/FB% due to regress, his 80.1% LOB% from 2024 feels tenuous. The recent addition of potential co-closer Ryan Pressly clouds the picture, but Cutter projections see the righty earning 10 saves and 19 holds this season, along with a 2.99 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. With the Cubs' acquisition of Pressly, Hodge is RotoBaller's RP37 in the latest rankings, which aligns with his recent ADP of 298 in NFBC drafts.
