Ryan Zeferjahn’s 98-MPH Heat Turns Him into the Los Angeles Angels’ Breakout Bullpen Star of 2026

The Chicago Cubs made a deadline splash by landing hard-throwing right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for catcher/designated hitter Moisés Ballesteros and pitching prospect Mason McGwire, according to multiple reports. Zeferjahn, 28, gives manager Craig Counsell a power arm that instantly upgrades a bullpen ranked in the bottom third of the National League in strikeout rate. The 6-foot-5 reliever owns a 3.66 ERA, 12.4 K/9 and a 33.6 percent strikeout rate through 45 appearances this season, relying on a 97 mph four-seamer and wipeout slider to miss bats consistently. He is under team control through the 2030 campaign, giving Chicago long-term value along with immediate swing-and-miss potential. Chicago paid a premium to secure those years. Ballesteros, 22, was the No. 4 prospect in the Cubs system and earned postseason at-bats last October before struggling in his sophomore season at Triple-A Iowa. McGwire, son of former slugger Mark McGwire, showcased a rising fastball at this summer’s Futures Game and projects as a mid-rotation starter. For a club sitting two games out of the NL Central lead, president Jed Hoyer clearly prioritized missing bats late in games. Cubs relievers have posted a 4.24 ERA in the seventh inning or later, while opponents have slugged .440 against the unit since June 1. Zeferjahn’s .197 opponent batting average in high-leverage spots addresses that weakness directly. The move also lightens the workload on closer Adbert Alzolay, who leads Chicago in back-to-back outings this year. Expect Counsell to deploy Zeferjahn in multi-inning stints; 18 of his 45 games for the Angels lasted four or more outs, and he held hitters to a .158 average the second time through the order. Los Angeles, meanwhile, gains a ready-made offensive piece in Ballesteros as the franchise retools around Mike Trout and top prospect Nelson Rada. The Angels bullpen, which boasts converted starter Ben Joyce, could afford to move Zeferjahn after posting the AL’s third-best ERA since the All-Star break. With the Central race tightening and the Wild Card crowded, Chicago’s aggressive deadline strategy signals an all-in push for October. If Zeferjahn’s strikeout stuff translates to Wrigley Field, the Cubs may have found the missing piece to bridge the gap between a deep rotation and a streaky offense—both this season and for many summers to come.