The Chicago Cubs have opted to make a calculated gamble by bringing in a pitcher who has been away from the major league spotlight for several seasons, choosing upside and raw ability over recent big league experience.
In a quiet offseason move that has largely flown under the radar, the organization has agreed to terms with right handed pitcher, a name that may not immediately resonate with most fans but one that has begun to generate intrigue within baseball circles.
The signing was first reported by Ari Alexander, who noted that He has not appeared in a Major League Baseball game since the 2021 season. While that fact alone might suggest long odds for a return to the sport’s highest level, additional context paints a more optimistic picture.
During offseason workouts, He reportedly reached velocities as high as 98 miles per hour with his fastball, a development that has clearly caught the attention of talent evaluators. For a pitcher standing at six foot eight and now entering his age-30 season, that kind of arm strength is difficult for teams to ignore.
His professional journey has been anything but straightforward. His path through baseball has been filled with detours, setbacks, and persistence, offering a compelling example of how unconventional routes can still lead back to opportunity.
Born and raised in Katy, Texas, He did not emerge as a highly touted amateur prospect. Instead, he began his collegiate career at Galveston College, a junior college that has served as a stepping stone for many players seeking a second chance or a later breakout.
His performance there was strong enough to earn him a transfer to Auburn University, a program competing in the highly competitive Southeastern Conference. While Auburn provided increased exposure and tougher competition, Klobosits still remained far from a can’t miss prospect.
When the 2017 MLB Draft arrived, he was selected in the 36th round by the Washington Nationals, a draft position that often comes with modest expectations and limited organizational investment.
Despite being a late round pick, Klobosits steadily climbed through the Nationals’ minor league system. His size, durability, and ability to miss bats allowed him to progress faster than many players selected around him.
Against the odds, he eventually earned a call up to the major leagues in 2021, achieving a milestone that many late round draftees never reach. Over the course of that season, he appeared in 11 games for Washington, working primarily out of the bullpen.
While simply reaching the majors represented a significant accomplishment, his results at that level were mixed. Klobosits finished his big league stint with a 5.56 earned run average, a figure that reflects some struggles adapting to MLB hitters. Still, small sample sizes can be misleading, especially for relievers, and his time in Washington showed flashes of the raw tools that had carried him that far.
Following the 2021 season, Klobosits found himself back in the minors and facing increased competition for limited roster spots. In 2022, he spent the year pitching at the Triple A level with Las Vegas, then part of the Oakland Athletics organization.
Despite remaining one step away from the majors, he was unable to break through for another opportunity. The following season brought a similar result, as he pitched in Triple A once again, this time with Buffalo in the Toronto Blue Jays system, yet still did not receive a call to the big leagues.
With his MLB chances seemingly dwindling, Klobosits made a decision that many players in similar situations face, continuing his career outside the traditional affiliated minor league structure. Over the past few seasons, he has played in independent leagues, environments known for limited resources but also for providing players with the freedom to refine their skills and reinvent themselves.
Late in the 2023 season, Klobosits joined the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the Atlantic League. The results were immediate and impressive. Across eight appearances, he posted an exceptional 1.13 ERA, showing improved command and the ability to dominate hitters. Encouraged by that performance, Gastonia retained him for the 2024 campaign, during which he made 45 appearances and recorded a 2.18 ERA. The consistency of his results suggested that his earlier success was no fluke.
His resurgence continued into 2025, beginning with a move to the High Point Rockers, also members of the Atlantic League. There, Klobosits made 13 appearances and logged a 1.64 ERA, further solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s more reliable bullpen arms. Later in the season, he transitioned to the Cleburne Railroaders of the American Association, adding another four appearances and finishing that stretch with a 2.84 ERA.
Across his entire minor league career, Klobosits has maintained a strikeout rate of exactly one batter per inning, a solid benchmark that indicates an ability to generate swings and misses. His performance in independent ball has actually exceeded that standard, with an even stronger strikeout to inning ratio. That improvement, combined with reports of increased velocity, suggests that his arsenal may have evolved since his last stint in affiliated baseball.
For the Cubs, this signing represents a classic low risk, potentially high reward transaction. Players like Klobosits do not command large contracts or guaranteed roster spots, allowing teams to evaluate them without significant financial commitment. If the recent gains in velocity and effectiveness prove sustainable, the Cubs could uncover a useful bullpen piece at minimal cost.
At six foot eight, Klobosits presents a unique physical profile on the mound. Tall relievers often create uncomfortable angles for hitters, making even average velocity play up. When paired with a fastball approaching the upper 90s, that advantage becomes even more pronounced. If he can consistently harness that power while maintaining control, he could fit into a variety of bullpen roles.
The Cubs’ bullpen has undergone frequent turnover in recent seasons, with the organization regularly cycling through arms in search of reliability and upside. In that context, Klobosits’ signing aligns with a broader strategy of depth accumulation. Even if he begins the season in the minor leagues, strong performance could quickly push him into consideration for a major league opportunity.
For Klobosits himself, this agreement represents yet another chance to defy expectations. His career has already included moments many players never experience, as well as setbacks that could have ended his professional ambitions. By continuing to pitch, adapt, and improve, he has kept the door open for a possible return to the majors.
While there are no guarantees that Klobosits will appear in a Cubs uniform at the MLB level, the underlying reasons for optimism are clear. Increased velocity, sustained success against professional hitters, and a proven willingness to grind through less glamorous leagues all work in his favor. For a team willing to take a chance, those qualities can be enough to justify an opportunity.
As the season approaches, Klobosits will look to carry the momentum from his independent league performances into spring training and beyond. If his fastball continues to touch 98 miles per hour and his command holds steady, he could quickly move from a quiet offseason signing to a legitimate bullpen option.
In the end, the Cubs are betting on growth, resilience, and untapped potential. Klobosits’ winding path through baseball has brought him to this moment, and while the odds may still be long, his story serves as a reminder that in baseball, persistence often creates its own opportunities.
