The Cubs’ Secret Weapon? Unpacking The Minor League Signing Of High-Velocity Reliever Zach Pop

The Chicago Cubs have quietly bolstered their organizational pitching depth on this December 17, 2025, by signing veteran right-handed reliever Zach Pop to a minor league contract. This move, which assigns the hard-throwing pitcher to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, signals the front office's commitment to creating a deep reservoir of experienced arms, a crucial strategy for navigating the rigors of a full Major League Baseball season. Pop, a Canadian native who has bounced between several organizations this year, brings a high-velocity, groundball-inducing arsenal that could quickly make him a significant asset at Wrigley Field if he can recapture his best form. The signing, initially reported by Tommy Birch of The Des Moines Register, is a low-risk, high-reward acquisition. Pop’s journey through the 2024 season was a whirlwind, seeing him pass through the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, and New York Mets before landing with the Cubs. Despite struggling in limited MLB action, his underlying metrics and previous success suggest he possesses the tools to become a valuable late-inning option, particularly given his elite ability to induce ground balls when he is on his game.

Zach Pop: Complete Career Profile and Biography

Zach Pop, whose full name is Zachery Michael Pop, has had a fascinating and turbulent professional career defined by both high-leverage success and organizational movement. Born in Canada, his path to the Major Leagues involved multiple drafts and significant trades, making him a well-traveled veteran at just 29 years old.

• Full Name: Zachery Michael Pop
• Born: September 20, 1996
• Hometown: Brampton, Ontario, Canada
• Height/Weight: 6'4", 220 lbs
• Position: Relief Pitcher (RHP)
• Draft History: Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 7th Round (220th overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft.
• Major League Debut: April 3, 2021, with the Miami Marlins.
• Career MLB Teams (Prior to Cubs): Miami Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets.
• Key Transactions:
  • Lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Rule 5 Draft (December 2020), then immediately traded to the Marlins.
  • Traded to the Toronto Blue Jays (August 2022) alongside veteran reliever Anthony Bass.
  • Signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs (December 2025).

Pop's tenure with the Marlins and Blue Jays saw him emerge as a reliable middle reliever, showcasing his ability to handle high-pressure situations. His 2022 season, split between the two clubs, was arguably his best, posting a combined 2.77 ERA over 35 appearances. This history of success is precisely what the Cubs are hoping to tap into as they integrate him into their system at Triple-A Iowa.

The Statcast Breakdown: Why Pop is a Groundball Specialist

The most compelling reason for the Cubs' interest in Zach Pop lies in his unique pitching profile, which is heavily reliant on an elite groundball-inducing sinker. In today's analytically driven baseball landscape, a pitcher who can consistently keep the ball on the ground is highly valued, especially in a hitter-friendly park like Wrigley Field. Pop’s primary weapon is a two-seam fastball, or sinker, that he throws with high velocity. This pitch averages approximately 96.4 MPH and can top out near 98.4 MPH, making it a difficult pitch for hitters to square up. The key, however, is the movement. The pitch features heavy sinking action and arm-side run, designed to induce weak contact on the ground. His career Groundball Rate (GB%) sits at an impressive 55.5%, a mark that places him among the league's best at avoiding fly balls. For context, anything consistently above 50% is considered elite for a reliever. This skill is critical for neutralizing power hitters and escaping jams with double plays. In addition to the sinker, Pop utilizes a slider and a cutter to keep hitters off balance. While his strikeout rate (K%) is not elite, his ability to manage contact and limit home runs is his true value proposition. The Cubs’ pitching development staff will undoubtedly focus on optimizing the usage of his sinker-slider mix to maximize his effectiveness, particularly against right-handed batters.

The Path to Wrigley Field: Role with the Iowa Cubs and MLB Potential

The minor league contract structure means Zach Pop will begin his tenure with the Iowa Cubs in Des Moines, serving as a crucial piece of the organizational pitching depth. This assignment allows him to pitch in a controlled environment, working closely with the Cubs' player development staff to fine-tune his mechanics and regain consistency. His 2024 performance highlights the potential for a quick turnaround. While his limited Major League innings saw his ERA balloon to 6.14, his time at the Triple-A level earlier in the season was dominant, featuring a sharp 1.54 ERA with the Buffalo Bisons. This suggests that his struggles at the highest level were likely due to small sample size variation or a temporary dip in command, rather than a fundamental flaw in his arsenal. The Cubs' strategy is clear: they are stockpiling experienced, high-upside relievers who can be called upon immediately to address injuries or performance issues in the Major League bullpen. Pop’s veteran presence at Triple-A Iowa will also serve as a mentor to younger prospects in the system.

Pop’s Potential Impact on the Cubs Bullpen

Should Pop earn a promotion to the Major League roster, he would immediately slot into a middle-relief role. His groundball prowess makes him an ideal candidate for specific high-leverage situations, such as inheriting runners on base or facing a string of dangerous power hitters. The key for Pop to stick with the Major League club will be improving his command and managing his peripheral metrics. His FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching), which attempts to measure a pitcher's performance independent of the defense behind him, was a solid 3.11 in his strong 2022 campaign. Recapturing that level of performance, combined with his high-velocity sinker, would make him an indispensable part of the Cubs' late-inning relief corps. The signing of Zach Pop is not a move that will dominate headlines, but it is a quintessential savvy front-office decision. By adding a pitcher with a proven Major League track record and an elite groundball skill set on a minor league deal, the Chicago Cubs have secured valuable insurance and a potential mid-season bullpen upgrade. Fans of the North Siders should keep a close eye on his progress with the Iowa Cubs; a dominant stretch in Des Moines could be his ticket back to the big leagues and a significant boost to the team's playoff aspirations.