NEWSLETTER
That’s a geographic mouthful right there, and it underscores what an interesting signing this is.
Stray signings throughout the year are not uncommon, particularly as injuries accumulate down on the farm and the Chicago Cubs have the ability to take more swings on development projects. Usually, it doesn’t work out – there’s a reason guys are available – but sometimes you do find something compelling. And sometimes, a guy comes with such a unique and interesting story that you cannot help but REALLY root for something good to happen.
That’s definitely the case with the Cubs’ newest signing, Daniel Missaki:
From Spradling’s tweet if it cut off for you:
“Here is what his last decade has looked like:
🗓️2013 Pitched for Brazil in the WBC at just 16-years-old 🇧🇷 Signed with Seattle Mariners org 🇺🇸
🗓️2014Pitched for Mariners rookie-ball affiliate 🇺🇸
🗓️2015Traded from Seattle to Milwaukee alongside Freddy Peralta (for Adam Lind) 🇺🇸 First TJ
🗓️2016
🗓️2017Second TJ
🗓️2018
🗓️2019
🗓️2020
🗓️2021Signed developmental contract with the Yomiuri Giants 🇯🇵
🗓️2022Pitched for Yomiuri Giants developmental team 🇯🇵
🗓️2023Helped Brazil win their historic silver medal at the Pan American Games 🇧🇷
🗓️2024Won Colombian Winter League Serie Final MVP, pitching a shutout in the title-clinching Game 5 🇨🇴 Signed with the Diablos Rojos del Mexico, and struck out 10 batters in 6 relief innings, allowing 1 run 🇲🇽 And now, nearly a decade since last playing in affiliated ball, he’s back.”
Now that’s a story. And all when he’s only just turned 28.
If you notice that Brewers time in there, by the way, that means Missaki would’ve briefly crossed paths (in Spring Training) with Craig Counsell.
From a performance perspective, it’s hard to say what you might be getting. Missaki pitched well in Japan in 2022, but the sample was tiny and it was the farm club. He pitched very well in Colombia this past winter (he won league MVP honors), but the league’s talent level is mixed. And then he’s pitched extremely well in Mexico so far this year, but the sample is tiny AND the competition level is in the Triple-A range.
My guess is that the Cubs will first have Daniel Missaki throwing in Arizona, where they can get some baseline numbers, work on any tweaks they think will help him, and figure out a plan going forward (likely relief). Best case scenario is that they see a guy who can go right to Triple-A, and then they monitor for a little while. Although there is probably a little bit of a developmental trajectory on this signing, Missaki is of an age and experience where you’re probably also thinking there’s a chance he contributes this year if he’s a real surprise breakout.
He certainly looks like he has some nasty stuff:
