Daniel Palencia

ActiveIL

Chicago Cubs · Pitcher

Age 265' 11" · 160 lbsThrows Right

FBaseball Overview

Palencia operates in a hybrid relief role for the Cubs, demonstrating versatility between save opportunities and multi-inning appearances that make him a valuable roster asset in 2026. His strikeout stuff remains elite—he's posting impressive K rates while maintaining a sub-2.90 ERA and keeping his WHIP under control, showcasing the stuff that earned him 22 saves last season. The primary risk is inconsistent volume and win-loss production given his relief classification, though his ability to accumulate saves (22 in 2025) and strikeouts (61 K last year) provides meaningful fantasy upside in deeper leagues and keeper formats. Managers targeting high-velocity relievers with favorable ERA/WHIP ratios should monitor his role as the season progresses, as save-heavy stretches could significantly elevate his fantasy value.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2023	Chicago Cubs	27	5	3	0	4.45	1.27	33	28.1	14
2024	Chicago Cubs	10	0	1	1	6.14	1.77	16	14.2	12
2025	Chicago Cubs	54	1	6	22	2.91	1.14	61	52.2	16
2026	Chicago Cubs	19	2	1	3	2.70	1.38	19	16.2	6
Career	Totals	110	8	11	26	3.69	1.29	129	112.1	48

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2021	2 teams▼	13	13	1	2	0	4.79	1.40	52	41.1	24
2022	South Bend Cubs	21	20	1	3	0	3.94	1.21	98	75.1	35
2023	2 teams▼	18	5	0	0	2	6.83	1.38	36	29	16
2024	Iowa Cubs	33	1	2	1	5	4.85	1.36	68	39.0	22
2025	Iowa Cubs	6	0	0	1	1	1.93	1.71	9	4.2	2
2026	Iowa Cubs	1	0	0	0	0	0.00	1.50	1	0.2	0
Career	Totals	92	39	4	7	8	4.69	1.32	264	189.3	99

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Game Log2026 season

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Pitching Analytics2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo99.5 mph

Avg Spin2265 rpm

Whiff %29.6%

K %26.8%

BB %8.5%

Hard Hit %30.4%

Barrel %6.5%

xERA3.72

xBA Against0.244

xSLG Against0.386

BA Against0.266

SLG Against0.391

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

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Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2023

Chicago Cubs

4.45

1.27

28.1

2024

Chicago Cubs

6.14

1.77

14.2

2025

Chicago Cubs

2.91

1.14

52.2

2026

Chicago Cubs

2.70

1.38

16.2

Career

Totals

110

3.69

1.29

129

112.1

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2021

2 teams▼

4.79

1.40

41.1

2022

South Bend Cubs

3.94

1.21

75.1

2023

2 teams▼

6.83

1.38

2024

Iowa Cubs

4.85

1.36

39.0

2025

Iowa Cubs

1.93

1.71

4.2

2026

Iowa Cubs

0.00

1.50

0.2

Career

Totals

4.69

1.32

264

189.3