“If the right moment comes, Palencia has to be on that mound,” remarked an anonymous source, emphasizing the growing confidence in Daniel Palencia’s abilities as a closer.
Palencia joined the Cubs’ bullpen in April last year, quickly making an impact by notching the first of 22 saves on May 21. Over the course of the season, he turned in a commendable 2.91 ERA with 61 strikeouts and 16 walks in 52 2/3 innings across 54 appearances.
Despite a challenging stint in 2024, where he posted a 6.14 ERA in a 10-game taste of the Majors, Palencia demonstrated resilience during the playoffs, allowing zero runs in five of his six outings.
This spring, Palencia has continued to impress, pitching seven scoreless innings, further solidifying his role within the team. His recent performance has drawn attention not only from Cubs fans but also from the international baseball community.
Palencia served as the closer for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, where he played a pivotal role in securing victories against Japan in the quarterfinals and Italy in the semifinals. His contributions have been crucial in elevating Venezuela’s status in international competition.
“He deserves the opportunity, and international baseball needs that boost in legitimacy,” another source noted, highlighting the importance of Palencia’s role in the World Baseball Classic.
Palencia’s performance in these high-stakes games is significant for his career and the Cubs, as it showcases his ability to perform under pressure and his potential as a key player moving forward.
As the Cubs prepare for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on Palencia to see if he can maintain this momentum and continue to be a reliable asset in the bullpen.
With the combination of his recent successes and the backing of his team, Palencia is poised to make a lasting impact in the MLB.
