Locals In MLB: Former Cottonwood Pitcher Set To Open Season As Key Cog In Cubs Bullpen

SALT LAKE CITY –  Former Cottonwood Colt Porter Hodge opened the 2024 season in Double-A, at best, on the extended periphery of the Chicago Cubs regular season plans. After debuting in May, Hodge slowly earned the trust of first-year manager Craig Counsell, eventually settling into a high-leverage role in the back of the Cubs’ bullpen in September.

Hodge and the Cubs are in Tokyo, Japan, to open the MLB 2025 regular season against the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, March 18.

Best of Porter Hodge – 2024 pic.twitter.com/sOV1Us5uOv

— Porter hodge burner (@kinnickg0) February 21, 2025

The righty burst onto the scene in his first major league appearance, striking out three Atlanta Braves all-stars on ten pitches at Wrigley Field.

After settling in, Hodge went from a middle-innings mop-up guy to the de facto closer through most of September. He even etched his name in the record books, throwing the final inning in a combined no-hitter with starter Shota Imanaga and Nate Pearson.

Hodge threw 43 innings across 39 appearances, establishing his riding fastball along the way. Hodge amassed 1.3 WAR and nine saves, ending the year with a 1.88 ERA and 0.884 WHIP. He struck out 52 batters against just 19 walks, showing improved strike zone command.

RELATED: Porter Hodge Finishes Combined No-Hitter

A disappointing finish in 2024 that extended Chicago’s playoff drought to four years led to a bullpen overhaul in the offseason. The Cubs brought in a series of veteran relievers and made a trade for World Series-winning closer Ryan Pressly.

Hodge said he looks forward to asking Pressly’s advice on preparation, staying ready for 162 games, and being a pro as he enters his second season.

“I’m excited for him to be my mentor.”

Porter Hodge on Ryan Pressly. pic.twitter.com/CSmegvOSlk

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) February 12, 2025

“He’s definitely given me some guidance,” Hodge told Marquee Sports during spring training. “I’ve been able to sort of lean on him right now and ask him a lot of questions. So I’m excited to kind of be able to… him to be my mentor.”

Hodge has looked good in five spring appearances. He has allowed three hits and two earned runs in five appearances, striking out eight and walking five.

About Porter Hodge

MLB – Chicago Cubs

2024 MLB Stats: 39 Games | 3-1 | 1.88 ERA | 43 IP | 9 SV | 9 HLD | 52 Ks | 19 BBs | 0.89 WHIP

Hodge opened 2024 with Double-A Tennessee, allowing one hit in four innings across two appearances before a promotion to Triple-A Iowa. He made ten appearances with Iowa before getting the call to Chicago in mid-May.

Since arriving in the Windy City, Hodge has endeared himself to Cubs fans, teammates, and manager Craig Counsell. After being used primarily in low-leverage moments early with the Cubs, Hodge has earned the trust of Counsell late in games.

Locals In MLB: Porter Hodge Reminisces On MLB Debut

 

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A post shared by Porter Hodge (@p.hodgie)

The right-handed Hodge was a two-time state champ at Cottonwood High. A four-year varsity starter, Hodge finished with a 1.50 ERA in 130.2 innings across 30 games.

The Chicago Cubs selected Hodge out of high school in the 13th round of the 2019 MLB draft. He advanced to Double-A Tennessee in 2023, finishing with a 6-7 record and a 5.13 ERA in 80.2 innings.

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Brian Preece is a KSLSports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X and Instagram and BlueSky at @bpreece24. 

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