Cubs VideoIn his first action of the 2026 Cactus League season, Ben Brown needed just 30 pitches to get through two breezy, scoreless innings. For Brown, the bigger questions were bound to be about stuff and developmental progress—and on that front, there was even more good news. Brown threw 12 curveballs, but of his other 18 offerings, only eight were his formerly standard four-seam fastball. Last year, he averaged a 45° arm angle, significantly higher than the big-league average. If Brown does end up in a stretched-out relief role, though, the sinker he showed Monday could be the key that unlocks his seemingly limitless potential.

Source: New York Times February 24, 2026 06:05 UTC