WATCH: Chris Flexen on arm slot fix, Craig Counsell on bullpen plans |
Tony Crumpton
· · Wednesday, April 30 2025
Hear from Chicago Cubs pitcher Chris Flexen and manager Craig Counsell ahead of Wednesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.
Watch the pregame interviews below:
Video summary/cliff notes:
(00:00–00:44) Chris Flexen discussed his arm slot adjustment, emphasizing how changes to his delivery helped him find more consistency and command. He said spring training labs identified his previous arm slot as a major issue.
(00:44–01:44) Flexen reflected on past seasons, especially his success in 2021–22 and recent struggles. He credited the Cubs' pitching staff and Triple-A coaches for analyzing his delivery and helping him work back to form.
(01:44–02:46) He explained the mechanical issues—his arm slot had gotten too high, leading to poor body positioning, loss of command, and reduced "life" on his pitches. The fix wasn’t drastic but allowed for more natural movement and control.
(02:46–03:24) Flexen praised the young talent in Triple-A Iowa, mentioning standout hitters like Moises Ballesteros and pitchers like Cade Horton. He highlighted the energy and skill level in the Cubs’ minor league system.
(03:24–03:47) On his 2023 season with the White Sox, Flexen acknowledged the team’s and his own struggles but noted it was still a valuable opportunity to compete and build relationships.
(03:47–05:02) Manager Craig Counsell discussed Flexen’s current role as a long reliever and how the team made roster moves to maintain flexibility, especially with fewer off days ahead.
(05:02–06:11) Counsell praised Flexen’s response to coaching and his ability to get both major and minor league hitters out. He also talked about the performance of Moises Ballesteros and how there's no current MLB opportunity for him but he’s being closely monitored.
(06:36–07:17) Counsell commended pitcher Valencia for stepping up in a tough mid-inning situation, noting how he recovered quickly and performed well despite difficult circumstances.
(07:17–08:14) Counsell discussed player awareness and communication, praising a player (likely Assad) for recognizing a physical issue and speaking up rather than risking injury.
(08:14–10:11) He praised a pitcher who transitioned from success in Japan to MLB (likely Shōta Imanaga), emphasizing his elite pitch command and ability to read hitters. He also complimented Matt Boyd for his strong and stabilizing performance early in the season.
