Drew Smyly
34-Year-Old
2023 Stats
W-L
11-11
ERA
5.00
WHIP
1.43
K
141
SV
0
2024 Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
It was a mostly forgettable 2023 campaign for the veteran Smyly. On a positive note, he was able to rack up 142.1 innings across 41 appearances (23 starts), which was his biggest workload since 2016. However, Smyly didn't pitch particularly well while he was out there, finishing with a 5.00 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. By comparison, the lefty managed a 3.47 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 2022, which was his first season with the Cubs. He lost a few ticks on his fastball, falling from a 92.6 mph average in 2022 to 92.0 last year, though his K/9 actually increased in 2023, settling in just below 9.0. Smyly ultimately suffered from some bad luck in 2023, as evidenced by his .305 BABIP, which was up 30 points from a year earlier. The lefty also had a 3.54 BB/9, which was his highest mark since 2019. That season was also the last time Smyly had an ERA of 5.00 or higher, so it stands to reason that if he can cut down the free passes some in 2024, he should be able to lower his ERA as well. Whether the veteran attempts to do that from a starting role remains to be seen. The Cubs have Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and Kyle Hendricks locked into rotation spots, with the likes of Jordan Wicks, Javier Assad and Hayden Wesneski behind them. That could push Smyly into more of a long-relief or swing role, which would limit his already diminished fantasy value. Read Past Outlooks
Could serve as spot starter
Smyly could start the regular season in the rotation with Jameson Taillon (back) set to miss some time into April, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Taillon could return as soon as April 8 in San Diego, but the Cubs will have to fill his rotation spot until then. Justin Steele is set to start Opening Day on March 28, and Chicago gets an off day after that. However, the Cubs then have games on five straight days, so a full rotation will likely be needed. Beyond Steele, Kyle Hendricks and Shota Imanaga should be locked into starting spots, and Jordan Wicks is making a strong case in camp. That could leave Smyly, Javier Assad and Hayden Wesneski to compete for the No. 5 spot, at least until Taillon returns.
Taillon could return as soon as April 8 in San Diego, but the Cubs will have to fill his rotation spot until then. Justin Steele is set to start Opening Day on March 28, and Chicago gets an off day after that. However, the Cubs then have games on five straight days, so a full rotation will likely be needed. Beyond Steele, Kyle Hendricks and Shota Imanaga should be locked into starting spots, and Jordan Wicks is making a strong case in camp. That could leave Smyly, Javier Assad and Hayden Wesneski to compete for the No. 5 spot, at least until Taillon returns.
Pitching Stats
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2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2023 MLB Game Log
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Minor League Game Log
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Pitching Appearances Breakdown
Average Pitch Count
59
Last 10 Games
21
Last 5 Games
23
How many pitches does Drew Smyly generally throw?
1-10
11-20
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
61-70
71-80
81-90
91-100
101-110
111-120
121+
What part of the game does Drew Smyly generally pitch?
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
Extra
% Games Reaching Innings Threshold
% Games By Number of Innings Pitched
Left/Right Pitching Splits
Since 2021
-10%
BAA vs RHP
2023
-29%
BAA vs RHP
BAA | K | BB | H | HR | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Since 2021vs Left | .282 | 86 | 30 | 103 | 16 | |||
Since 2021vs Right | .253 | 263 | 93 | 278 | 53 | |||
2023vs Left | .338 | 36 | 15 | 47 | 6 | |||
2023vs Right | .241 | 105 | 41 | 100 | 20 | |||
2022vs Left | .191 | 13 | 8 | 17 | 2 | |||
2022vs Right | .258 | 78 | 18 | 84 | 14 | |||
2021vs Left | .285 | 37 | 7 | 39 | 8 | |||
2021vs Right | .263 | 80 | 34 | 94 | 19 | |||
More Splits→ | View More Split Stats |
Home/Away Pitching Splits
Since 2021
-4%
ERA at Home
2023
-19%
ERA on Road
ERA | WHIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Since 2021Home | 4.28 | 1.19 | 153.2 | 9.4 | 2.6 | ||||
Since 2021Away | 4.47 | 1.45 | 221.2 | 7.7 | 3.2 | ||||
2023Home | 5.60 | 1.29 | 62.2 | 10.3 | 2.4 | ||||
2023Away | 4.52 | 1.53 | 79.2 | 7.8 | 4.4 | ||||
2022Home | 2.42 | 1.07 | 44.2 | 8.1 | 2.2 | ||||
2022Away | 4.23 | 1.28 | 61.2 | 7.4 | 2.2 | ||||
2021Home | 4.27 | 1.17 | 46.1 | 9.3 | 3.1 | ||||
2021Away | 4.59 | 1.49 | 80.1 | 7.7 | 2.8 | ||||
More Splits→ | View More Split Stats |
Stat Review
How does Drew Smyly compare to other starting pitchers?
This section compares his stats with all starting pitcher seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 120 innings)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
* Exit Velocity, Barrels/BBE %, Balls Hit 95+ MPH %, and Spin Rate are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 120 IP). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
* Exit Velocity, Barrels/BBE %, Balls Hit 95+ MPH %, and Spin Rate are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 120 IP). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
K/BB
2.52K/9
8.9BB/9
3.5HR/9
1.6Fastball
92.0 mphERA
5.00WHIP
1.43BABIP
.317GB/FB
0.86Left On Base
68.4%Exit Velocity
81.2 mphBarrels/BBE
5.4%Spin Rate
2088 rpmBalls Hit 95+ MPH
21.2%Swinging Strike
11.4%Advanced Pitching Stats
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Defensive Stats
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Stats Vs Today's Lineup
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
Brought in as a veteran option on a rebuilding team, Smyly pretty much delivered as advertised for the Cubs in 2022. The lefty made 22 starts, compiling a strong 3.47 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 106 innings. He missed some time with oblique and shoulder issues, but for someone who last topped 130 innings in a season back in 2016, it would have been unrealistic to expect much more in terms of workload. Smyly recorded a 7.70 K/9 last year, which was a tick below his 8.79 career mark, though his average fastball sat at 92.6 mph, which was a bit ahead of his fastball in 2021 and mostly in line with his career numbers. Smyly declined his portion of a $10 million mutual option with the Cubs but will return to Chicago on a two-year, $19 million deal. He'll turn 34 during the 2023 season, so he's unlikely to take a huge step forward as a pitcher, and injuries remain a concern. However, Smyly should again provide a veteran presence in the rotation, and it's reasonable to expect production that looks similar to his 2022 numbers, especially with the signings of Dansby Swanson and Cody Bellinger lifting the floor of Chicago's defense.
More Fantasy News
Pitches well Sunday
Smyly tossed 3.1 scoreless innings in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Rangers. He allowed four hits and a walk, while striking out four.
ANALYSIS
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Gets hit hard Thursday
Smyly allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk across two innings during Thursday's Cactus League game against the Rockies. He struck out one.
ANALYSIS
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Competing for rotation spot
Smyly is likely competing with Hayden Wesneski, Javier Assad and Jordan Wicks for the fifth spot in the Cubs' rotation to begin the season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Sticking with Cubs
Smyly exercised his $8.5 million player option for the 2024 season Monday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Takes loss in finale
Smyly (11-11) allowed three runs on two hits while retiring only a single batter to take the loss Sunday against the Brewers. He walked three.
ANALYSIS
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