Pedro Strop

Pedro Strop, born on June 13, 1985, in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, began his professional baseball journey as an infielder. Signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Colorado Rockies in 2002, he spent three seasons in their organization trying to establish himself as a position player before converting to a pitcher in 2006 due to his hitting numbers. This pivotal career change marked the beginning of his rise in professional baseball. After his time with the Rockies, Strop was signed by the Texas Rangers in 2008, making his MLB debut on August 28, 2009. He quickly demonstrated his potential, particularly as a reliever. His career progression saw him move to the Baltimore Orioles in 2011, where he continued to refine his pitching skills, eventually becoming a key setup man.

Strop’s most significant career period began in 2013 when he was traded to the Chicago Cubs. With the Cubs, he became an integral part of their bullpen, consistently delivering strong performances. He posted sub-3.00 ERAs for multiple consecutive seasons and played a crucial role in the Cubs’ historic 2016 World Series championship. His tenure with the Cubs solidified his reputation as a reliable and effective relief pitcher, and he established himself as a fan favorite. After seven seasons with the Cubs, Strop had a brief stint with the Cincinnati Reds in 2020 before returning to the Cubs organization in 2021. Throughout his career, Strop has also proudly represented the Dominican Republic in international competitions, including the 2013 World Baseball Classic where his team won the championship, and the Netherlands in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.