Andrew Kittredge

Andrew Kittredge spent six seasons with the Rays becoming one of the more reliable relievers in the American League before moving to St. Louis in 2024, where he posted a 2.80 ERA in 74 appearances — arguably the best season of his career. He signed with Baltimore ahead of 2025 and was an important part of the bullpen before the Orioles' trade deadline selloff moved him to Chicago along with nine other big leaguers. He proceeded to help the Cubs reach the postseason, threw an immaculate inning at Wrigley, and ended the year with a 3.40 ERA combined between both teams. Baltimore reacquired him in November, exercised his option, and brought him back as a high-leverage arm with closer upside if Ryan Helsley falters.

Kittredge led MLB in chase rate in 2025 at 41.6 percent — meaning hitters swung at pitches outside the zone at the highest rate of any pitcher in baseball. That number explains his career-best 30.8 percent strikeout rate and his near-zero walk rate with the Cubs (10.67 K/BB after the trade, second highest in the NL). At 35, he's pitching smarter than he ever has.

Six weeks after being traded from Baltimore, Kittredge threw the sixth immaculate inning in Cubs history against the Reds — nine pitches, three strikeouts. It was the third immaculate inning in MLB during the 2025 season. He was the second Orioles-affiliated pitcher to accomplish the feat that year, after Brandon Young did it in Baltimore's colors in April.