John Antonoff/Sun-Times
MESA, Ariz. — Cubs manager Craig Counsell named Justin Steele the Opening Day starter, making official Saturday what was obvious after the lefty’s performance last season.
It will be Steele’s first Opening Day start in his MLB career.
“I always take it as a reflection of what a player has done throughout his career and where he’s built himself to,” Counsell said. “And Justin’s got himself to a great place. It’s something you earn.”
Steele has been in the organization for a decade, drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 draft out of George County High School in Lucedale, Mississippi.