Pittsburgh’s matchup highlighted the evolving career of right-hander Gavin Hollowell. For four years, Hollowell navigated the turbulent path between Triple A and the majors. As an emerging reliever, he amassed 40 appearances in the big leagues, with 26 occurring in the 2023 season under the Colorado Rockies. This season, the Chicago Cubs’ bullpen injuries are providing opportunities for pitchers like Hollowell to prove their skills against major-league hitters, allowing him to become more than just a depth option.
“I mean, I don’t feel any different out there,” Hollowell told the Tribune. “I’m not reinventing the wheel just yet. Just going out there and pitching and knowing that my defense behind me is unbelievable, and if I could just be in zone and let them do their job, the strikeouts will come and then outs will come from those guys too.”
Hollowell secured his first save for the Cubs with a 3-2 victory in 10 innings. In 12 appearances, he maintains a 2.08 ERA and has not given up an earned run in his last 8 2/3 innings. During this span, he has successfully struck out 10 batters, walked three, and allowed only three hits.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell expressed confidence in Hollowell’s progress: “He’s really taken that and kind of run with it, and he’s got some confidence from that. He’s improved. His strike throwing has been a key to this stretch here. He’s just throwing more strikes. The stuff has always worked.”
Hollowell’s delivery gives hitters a distinct challenge. His arm angle at just 10 degrees is among the lowest for right-handers in the majors this season, with only eight pitchers achieving a lower degree. Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy describes his delivery as ‘funky’ and praises the extension he achieves with his 6-foot-7 frame.
“It’s just a unique approach so as long as he’s over the plate, he’s going to be really good,” Hottovy told the Tribune. “And when I say over the plate, you see a low-slot guy you think more east-west, but in reality, it’s more north-south for him. Getting his fastball to the top, his changeup and sinker down and then just striking the sweeper. If he does those things, he’s really difficult.”
Despite his unique mechanics, Hollowell has found a formula that suits him. “Everyone out there just says I’m a little different, and, I mean, they’re right,” he admits. Over the years, his arm slot has lowered from an over-the-top position, and now, Hollowell feels consistent and confident with his delivery.
The addition of a changeup to his pitching arsenal has significantly helped Hollowell’s game. Previously, the changeup was ineffective, but in spring training, he refined this pitch with a circle-change grip that enhanced its effectiveness against left-handed batters. Out of 19 changeups thrown, only two have been put in play, none resulting in hits. Two of his season’s strikeouts have come via his changeup.
“Being a former low-slot guy, I feel like the changeup is the pitch that eludes you the most because of how just different grips play off of different arm angles, plus how he releases it,” Hottovy remarked. “So it was definitely a pitch that he had to kind of like fiddle with for a while and then it just kind of clicked.”
The Cubs anticipate the return of key bullpen members, like closer Daniel Palencia and left-hander Hoby Milner, who are on track for mid and early August returns, respectively. The bullpen’s dynamics might shift with these additions or potential trades before the August 3 trade deadline. However, the experience gained by pitchers like Hollowell remains invaluable.
“You’re just trying to figure out the best way to navigate 27 outs, and it’s kind of how we’ve treated it this year,” Counsell reflected. “They’ve responded to it super well, and credit to the guys down there for doing it.”