Porter Hodge, No. 37 in your program guide, exhibited precocious closing acumen in 2024, enough that his manager is deploying him as a co-closer, with Ryan Pressly, who will presumably teach Hodge the ropes and then be on his way, as an unrestricted free agent.
Hodge turned in a 1.3 bWAR (0.9 fWAR)season in 2024, notching 52 strikeouts in 43 innings, with an ERA of 1.88 and a WHIP of 0.884. Impressive stuff. Nine saves. If he turns in another year like that, the Cubs will clap Pressly on the back and help pack his suitcase.