Ryan Rolison Finds Success with the Cubs

Ryan Rolison, a talented left-handed pitcher, was first drafted in the 2018 first round by the Colorado Rockies. While his potential was clear, it wasn’t until this year, now with the Chicago Cubs, that his professional career truly took off. After a challenging rookie season in Colorado with a 7.02 ERA over 31 games, Rolison is turning heads with a 2.89 ERA and a 146 ERA+ in 52 appearances for the Cubs as of Tuesday.

Reflecting on his journey, Rolison expressed excitement about his current role. ‘It’s been a dream come true just to play for the Chicago Cubs and be a key piece of this bullpen,’ Rolison stated. Highlighting a standout moment, he noted, ‘I closed the game against the Brewers Thursday night, and if you asked me that this time last year, I would have thought you were crazy.’

Cubs Manager Craig Counsell praised Rolison’s transformation. Initially skeptical, the Cubs’ pitching coaches noted his promise during spring training. Counsell attributes much of Rolison’s success to maintaining his health and the knowledge shared between the pitcher and coaching staff. ‘We had some good answers, and he was ready to hear them,’ Counsell said.

The Cubs acquired Rolison from the White Sox in January with a vision in mind. Recognizing his poor 2025 showing, Rolison embraced changes. He stated, ‘Obviously, results tell you a lot, and my results last year weren’t very good. If something’s not working, you’ve got to fix something.’

Rolison credits his turnaround to three factors: being allowed to pitch freely and with confidence, simplifying his mindset to focus on one target area, and refining his pitch mix. Specifically, adding a sinker and sweeper has been beneficial. ‘The sinker is a game-changer against lefties, while the sweeper offers a new movement profile,’ Rolison explained.

Rolison acknowledges challenges remain, particularly when facing right-handed hitters. ‘Righties have been a problem, and that’s something we’re discussing in terms of sequence,’ he said. Yet, he remains optimistic about further untapped potential.

Throughout the season, Rolison has thrived in high-pressure situations, bolstering both his confidence and the team’s bullpen reliability amidst injuries. ‘My mind’s not wavering on if I can get the job done,’ Rolison emphasized, drawing confidence from his coaches’ reaffirmations about his abilities.

As the Cubs aim to secure a playoff position, Rolison anticipates Wrigley Field’s electric atmosphere in October. Recalling his childhood dreams of playing in decisive playoff games, he remarked, ‘The fans have been great all year, and I can’t imagine what it’s like in October.’