MISSOULA — The Chicago Cubs, one of the most beloved teams in Major League Baseball, have selected a player from the Missoula PaddleHeads for their next standout pitcher.
Pioneer League all-star Connor Schultz signed a MLB deal this week, becoming the 19th PaddleHeads player to do so. This is the highest number by any team in independent baseball’s four premier leagues over the past four years.
Schultz, from Cedar Falls, Iowa, will head to the Cubs’ spring training facility in Arizona for his physical and minor league assignment on Tuesday.
“We signed him out of Iowa in 2022 and he came in as a good pitcher, but he has improved significantly since then,” said Missoula manager Michael Schlact. “It’s been exciting to watch his progress.
“His skills have gotten better and he has shown great leadership and maturity.”
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Schultz has four pitches and throws his fastball in the low- to mid-90s. A strategic competitor who uses analytics, Schultz is expected to benefit from the Cubs’ coaching staff.
“They are impressed with his ability to go deep into the game, so I believe they will use him as a starter,” Schlact said. “They have a good track record of developing players with various skill levels. It will be an exciting opportunity for him.”
Last season was Schultz’s first full season with Missoula. He had a 3.82 ERA over 17 starts and 18 appearances, finishing with a 7-3 record and coming in second in the Pitcher of the Year voting.
His biggest challenge in the 2023 season came in September when he missed the playoffs due to a shoulder injury.
At 25 years old and standing at 6-foot-4, Schultz has been the most reliable starter for the PaddleHeads this season, with a 3-1 record and a 4.09 ERA in four starts.
