In the previous four years, right-hander Gavin Hollowell experienced regular transitions between Triple A and the major leagues as a relief pitcher. Before this season, he had participated in 40 big-league games, with 26 appearances occurring in 2023 as part of the Colorado Rockies. Due to several injuries in the Chicago Cubs’ bullpen this year, Hollowell is now getting the chance to prove himself against major-league batters. This opportunity allows him to be more than a backup option.
Hollowell remarked, “I mean, I don’t feel any different out there. I’m not reinventing the wheel just yet. Just going out there and pitching and knowing that my defense behind me is unbelievable, and if I could just be in zone and let them do their job, the strikeouts will come and then outs will come from those guys too.”
Hollowell earned his first save with the Cubs in a 3-2 win over 10 innings. He currently holds a 2.08 ERA through 12 appearances and has not allowed an earned run in his last 8 2/3 innings. His record in this period includes striking out 10 batters, walking three, and permitting only three hits.
Manager Craig Counsell commented, “He’s really taken that and kind of run with it, and he’s got some confidence from that. He’s improved. His strike throwing has been a key to this stretch here. He’s just throwing more strikes. The stuff has always worked.”
Unique Pitching Style
Hollowell’s delivery offers hitters an unusual challenge. His arm angle, measured at 10 degrees, ranks among the lowest for right-handers in the majors this season, with only eight pitchers posting lower degrees. Pitching Coach Tommy Hottovy describes Hollowell’s delivery as unique, highlighting the advantage he gains from his 6-foot-7 frame. Hottovy noted, “It’s just a unique approach so as long as he’s over the plate, he’s going to be really good. And when I say over the plate, you see a low-slot guy you think more east-west, but in reality, it’s more north-south for him. Getting his fastball to the top, his changeup and sinker down and then just striking the sweeper. If he does those things, he’s really difficult.”
Hollowell finds amusement in the discussion around his mechanics but acknowledges their effectiveness. “Everyone out there just says I’m a little different, and, I mean, they’re right,” he said about his arm slot. “Throughout the years, it kind of dropped a little bit, and now I’m finding consistency where I’m at and feel pretty good doing it.”
Developing a Changeup
The incorporation of a changeup into his pitching repertoire has provided Hollowell with enhanced effectiveness. While with the Rockies in 2022, he experimented with throwing a changeup, but it didn’t prove useful, so he abandoned it. Despite being advised by specialists that adding an effective changeup could lead to success, Hollowell struggled with the pitch until this year’s spring training.
By testing different grips and incorporating mental cues from coaches, he discovered a circle-change grip that worked. The movement from his arm angle creates an illusion for his changeup, dropping for left-handers effectively. Though he only uses it sparingly against lefties, none of the 19 pitches have resulted in hits, and it has accounted for two of his strikeouts this season.
Hottovy further explained, “Being a former low-slot guy, I feel like the changeup is the pitch that eludes you the most because of how just different grips play off of different arm angles, plus how he releases it. So it was definitely a pitch that he had to kind of like fiddle with for a while and then it just kind of clicked.”
Cubs Bullpen Future
The Cubs hope to recover their bullpen strength in the coming weeks. The return of closer Daniel Palencia, who is rehabbing at the team’s complex in Arizona, would provide a significant uplift. Palencia’s expected return is mid-August. Meanwhile, left-hander Hoby Milner will soon join a rehab assignment, aiming for a comeback in early August.
As the bullpen stabilizes, the roles of Hollowell or Tyler Ferguson might change. However, the experience they gather during this period is seen as valuable to the organization. Manager Counsell appreciates their adaptability, stating, “You’re just trying to figure out the best way to navigate 27 outs, and it’s kind of how we’ve treated it this year. They’ve responded to it super well, and credit to the guys down there for doing it.”
Leave a Reply