BREAKING: Chicago Cubs Bring Back Former First-Round Pick Ryan Jensen on Minor League Deal; Release Phil Bickford
In a notable roster move, the Chicago Cubs have officially signed right-handed pitcher Ryan Jensen to a minor league contract, as confirmed by MLB.com’s transaction log. Jensen, who most recently was in the Minnesota Twins organization, was released just over a week ago. In a related transaction, the Cubs have also parted ways with right-hander Phil Bickford.
Jensen, 27, is no stranger to the Cubs organization. He was originally selected by the team in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft and showed flashes of potential during his early years in the minor leagues. Known for his power arm and ground-ball inducing tendencies, he quickly climbed the ranks but was often held back by persistent control issues. Between 2019 and 2022, he threw 151 2/3 innings across various levels, posting a respectable 4.04 ERA. During that span, he struck out 26.3% of opposing batters and maintained a strong ground-ball rate. However, his inability to consistently throw strikes remained a concern, with a walk rate of 13.1% that limited his advancement.
Despite these command challenges, the Cubs still saw enough upside to protect Jensen from the Rule 5 Draft by adding him to their 40-man roster in November 2022. However, the experiment didn’t last long. By mid-2023, Jensen found himself on the waiver wire and was subsequently claimed by the Seattle Mariners. His journey continued with short stints in the Miami Marlins and Minnesota Twins systems — all via waivers — before the Twins ultimately designated him for assignment and then outrighted him earlier this year.
Unfortunately, his command issues have not improved with time. Since the beginning of the 2023 season, Jensen has pitched 149 2/3 minor league innings with an elevated ERA of 5.35. While he maintained a high strikeout rate of 27.8% and continued generating ground balls, his walk rate ballooned to 18.3%, severely impacting his overall effectiveness. The Twins, seemingly out of patience, decided to move on — but now, Jensen will get another opportunity with the organization that once drafted him, as the Cubs give him a second chance to rediscover his form.
In contrast, right-hander Phil Bickford, 29, who joined the Cubs on a minor league deal this past offseason, is heading out. Bickford has actually performed quite well this season at Triple-A Iowa, suggesting his release might be tied to an opt-out clause in his contract. Over 27 2/3 innings pitched, he posted a 2.60 ERA, struck out an impressive 34% of hitters, and kept his walk rate at a solid 5.7%.
Bickford also has a relatively strong track record in the major leagues. During the 2021 and 2022 seasons, he accumulated 112 1/3 innings at the big league level, putting up a 3.85 ERA with a 27.8% strikeout rate and a manageable 7.3% walk rate. However, his control began to waver in 2023, and his walk rate rose significantly to 12.8%. He had a short and difficult stint with the New York Yankees last year, appearing in just 8 1/3 innings while allowing an 8.64 ERA.
With Bickford moving on and Jensen returning, the Cubs appear to be betting on upside. While Jensen’s recent numbers leave room for concern, his prior draft status and raw stuff suggest there may still be potential to tap into. The Cubs’ development staff will now get another chance to work with him, hoping that familiarity and targeted adjustments can help him finally turn the corner in his career.
Only time will tell whether this reunion with Jensen pays off — but for now, the Cubs are clearly looking to build pitching depth and take low-risk chances on players with untapped talent.
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