Javier Assad

Active

Chicago Cubs · Pitcher

Age 296' 1" · 200 lbsThrows Right

#213 Current

FBaseball Overview

At 28 years old, Assad provides stable depth for fantasy managers seeking mid-rotation reliability from the Cubs' pitching staff. Early season results show promise with a 6-1 record and sub-4.05 ERA across 49 innings, though his strikeout rate of roughly five per nine innings limits his ceiling in fantasy leagues relying on K production. The slight uptick in ERA and WHIP compared to his 2025 campaign suggests some volatility, making him better suited as a streamer or fourth/fifth starter rather than a weekly lock. His All-Star pedigree from earlier in his career offers reminders of his ability to perform at a high level, but current strikeout volume and modest win totals keep him in the mid-tier pitching conversation heading forward.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2022	Chicago Cubs	9	8	2	2	0	3.11	1.46	30	37.2	20
2023	Chicago Cubs	32	10	5	3	0	3.05	1.23	94	109.1	41
2024	Chicago Cubs	29	29	7	6	0	3.73	1.40	124	147.0	63
2025	Chicago Cubs	8	7	4	1	0	3.65	1.22	23	37.0	12
2026	Chicago Cubs	18	9	6	1	1	3.75	1.16	48	69.2	18
Career	Totals	96	63	24	13	1	3.48	1.30	319	400.2	154

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
2016	AZL Cubs	10	7	2	2	1	2.87	1.38	42	37.2	13
2017	Eugene Emeralds	13	13	5	6	0	4.23	1.36	72	66.0	21
2018	South Bend Cubs	23	21	5	7	0	4.40	1.46	89	106.1	31
2019	Myrtle Beach Pelicans	22	22	4	10	0	3.87	1.28	91	116.1	41
2021	Tennessee Smokies	21	20	4	8	0	5.32	1.54	74	93.0	32
2022	2 teams▼	23	21	5	3	0	2.66	1.24	111	108.1	35
2023	Iowa Cubs	4	4	0	1	0	3.68	1.30	15	14.2	7
2025	2 teams▼	5	5	0	0	0	2.45	1.25	21	18.1	7
2026	Iowa Cubs	5	5	0	2	0	7.31	2.06	14	16.0	9
Career	Totals	126	118	25	39	1	4.00	1.38	529	576.2	196

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

Game Log2026 MLB

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Advanced Stats2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo93.2 mph

Avg Spin2087 rpm

Whiff %14.0%

K %17.0%

BB %6.4%

Hard Hit %45.8%

Barrel %7.5%

xERA4.58

xBA Against0.269

xSLG Against0.434

BA Against0.243

SLG Against0.409

GB%45.3%

FB%28.5%

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

2022

Chicago Cubs

3.11

1.46

37.2

2023

Chicago Cubs

3.05

1.23

109.1

2024

Chicago Cubs

3.73

1.40

124

147.0

2025

Chicago Cubs

3.65

1.22

37.0

2026

Chicago Cubs

3.75

1.16

69.2

Career

Totals

3.48

1.30

319

400.2

154

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2016

AZL Cubs

2.87

1.38

37.2

2017

Eugene Emeralds

4.23

1.36

66.0

2018

South Bend Cubs

4.40

1.46

106.1

2019

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

3.87

1.28

116.1

2021

Tennessee Smokies

5.32

1.54

93.0

2022

2 teams▼

2.66

1.24

111

108.1

2023

Iowa Cubs

3.68

1.30

14.2

2025

2 teams▼

2.45

1.25

18.1

2026

Iowa Cubs

7.31

2.06

16.0

Career

Totals

126

118

4.00

1.38

529

576.2

196