The Cubs acquired minor league right-hander Jake Wong from the Reds late last week, according to the transaction log at MLB.com. He is not on the 40-man roster. The 27-year-old made his organizational debut with Double-A Tennessee.
Wong entered the professional ranks as a third-round pick of the Giants in 2018. Cincinnati acquired him as the player to be named later in an offseason trade that sent Rule 5 pick Blake Sabol to San Francisco. The Reds called Wong up for one appearance at the end of June. He allowed three runs in as many innings working in relief against the Orioles. Cincinnati outrighted him off the 40-man roster not long after.
The Grand Canyon product struggled in the upper levels of the minors with Cincinnati. Wong pitched to a 5.17 ERA over 47 Double-A frames. He had a particularly tough time in Triple-A, where he allowed more than a run per inning while walking more hitters (18.1%) than he struck out (12.8%). That’s a season he’ll obviously look to put behind him. Wong had better numbers in High-A while a member of the San Francisco organization back in 2022, turning in a 4.52 ERA while punching out more than a quarter of opposing hitters.
Oldguy58
Why?
Sheep8
You don’t know why..but they do!
labial
Closer material
Kruk it
Is he the right Wong or the Wong Wong?
rudemood1
Ol dumpster diving Jed!
Chad Dare
I think they got the Wong guy.
CravenMoorehead
There it is
Dumpster Divin Theo
Right?
Unclemike1525
This wasn’t a guy I was looking for them to get to say the least.
Shadow Banned
Was there a better fit? Wong answers only
capnfatback
Fun fact: Wong is now one of three Grand Canyon University pitchers in the Cubs’ system (Scalzo, Hull).
Bobcastelliniscat
Isn’t Grand Canyon University like a crappy on line school? I used to work with a woman who used to brag about her “Alma Mater” Capel University. Always wanted to asker her how their football team was doing.
tonyinsingapore
Are the Reds penny-pinching because there’s financial stress? This is about the fourth player in a few days they have sold off. Which is t a bad thing, just curious about the motivations…
earmbrister
The most recent two pitchers have struggled mightily this year. Motivation might be improvement
This one belongs to the Reds
Bally’s not paying up?
b00giem@n
I have an interest in what’s going on with Bally’s and from what I understand it isn’t really Bally rather other companies not working with them so they can charge the viewera more money.
cwsOverhaul
When small/mid market teams get poor ROI from pricey FAs like Candelario and Martinez, little corners get cut in other areas.
Spotswood
Because there are limits on minor league rosters now, you’re seeing this type of transaction a lot now. Cubs AA just moved a pitcher up to AAA. Instead of changing the development arc of a guy in A, they got Wong. Probably a guy that was on the Reds AA development list.
kidbryant
They shouldn’t have had high expectations for Candelario or Martinez. Neither have ever been very good.
Coys Bacon
How is this penny pinching. They could not find an obvious trade partner since he’s not very good. You might as well churn the roster even if it’s in AAA. They are going to need whatever depth they have in the minors to help. I doubt it’s some windfall of money. He may not even worth much in bitcoin.
SeanStL
I hope they got some nice wood bats in return.
Non Roster Invitee
Wong is right for the Cubs.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Nothing to Wright home about
Man What Runs With the Football
Probably have players who need to move up a level and are selling off the has beens or never were’s to make room for their promotions. Why not get a couple of dollars for something you were going to toss on the scrap heap anyway?
Dumpster Divin Theo
The price is Wong, Bobbie!!
Rexhudler86
What could go Wong.
kidbryant
Wong place, Wong time
Larry D.
The Cubs saw something. Run him through the pitch lab to see what you have then work on adjustments. You never know what you might have.
Strunk Flugget
I came for the puns and I am not disappointed. Thank you all.