The Chicago Cubs’ bullpen appears to have a star in the making in 26-year-old reliever Daniel Palencia.
Palencia went 1-6 for the Cubs last season, posting a 2.91 ERA with 22 saves in 54 games, but stepped it up to a whole new level while competing with Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. The young reliever served as Venezuela’s closer in the tournament, making five appearances, and did not allow a single run or hit in five innings pitched.
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter predicts that Palencia will have a breakout season for the Cubs after playing the hero for Venezuela in the WBC.
“Daniel Palencia was the relief pitcher pick for our 2025 All-Breakout Team that was chosen at the end of the season, so it’s fair to say the hard-throwing reliever has already broken through,” Reuter wrote Saturday.
“However, he is still capable of another step forward, with the elite stuff to emerge as one of baseball’s true lockdown closers during the upcoming season. He flourished in the pressure cooker of the World Baseball Classic, closing out the championship game against Team USA with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. A 40-save season and All-Star selection could be the next step in 2026.”
Palencia was successful in his first full season with the Cubs last year and is still only 26 years old. The young reliever was untouchable in the WBC, and if he’s able to translate that level of success with the Cubs this season, 40 saves and an All-Star selection are not that unreasonable.
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