Juan Bello Stands Out in First Season with Pelicans
August 13, 2024 by Sam Weiderhaft Coming into this year, Juan Bello was a relatively unknown pitcher in the Chicago Cubs’ system. Originally from Colombia, Bello was signed as an international free agent in 2022. He made his debut that year in the Dominican Summer League, pitching nine games and
August 13, 2024 by Sam Weiderhaft
Coming into this year, Juan Bello was a relatively unknown pitcher in the Chicago Cubs’ system. Originally from Colombia, Bello was signed as an international free agent in 2022. He made his debut that year in the Dominican Summer League, pitching nine games and starting eight with a 4.02 ERA.
He would earn a promotion to the Arizona Complex League in 2023, but battled injuries and only pitched in four games. His performance in Spring Training leading up to 2024 led him to being assigned to the Pelicans for his full-season debut.
It was a fantastic start for Bello, posting a 1.84 ERA through four starts in April with just three earned runs in 14 2/3 innings. He walked just nine batters and struck out 21 through his first month.
As the season has continued, Bello has continued to work efficiently and stretch longer in games. His best outing came against the Charleston RiverDogs on June 1st, striking out a career-high of eight batters across four shutout innings while allowing only one hit. The 20-year old has lasted five or more innings five times and is currently second on the team in innings pitched with 68 2/3 and strikeouts with 75.
Myrtle Beach Pitching Coach George Thanopolous has preached the Cubs’ pitching philosophy of “Owning the Zone.” With many young pitchers on this year’s team, development was the most important task for the group. After ranking last in the Carolina League with a 4.57 ERA in the first half, the pitching staff has improved immensely with a 3.41 ERA in the second half, ranking third.
“We’re just trying to get guys more consistently and more confidently pounding the zone,” Thanopolous said. “Everything we do, we’re really trying to encourage that. I think these guys are starting to get to the point where they’re buying into that concept.”
Bello has been a great example of that consistency in the zone. He’s walked just 26 batters through his 18 starts, the least of Pelicans’ pitchers that have started 10 games or more. His confidence has also been apparent, mixing up his timing of pitches to keep the hitters off-balance.
As the season enters its final month, the Pelicans are in the middle of their hottest stretch of the year, with 16 wins in their last 22 games. With the Birds fighting for a playoff spot for the third consecutive year, the team will rely on Bello once every week as their ace to continue the momentum heading to the final stretch.