Roster Move: Cubs sign catcher Sammy Sass

Photo courtesy: Wright State

Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - 19 hours ago

There is something you don't see every day. Eleven months, nearly a full calendar year since the 2024 MLB draft, and the Cubs have added an undrafted free agent to their system. It comes in the form of catcher Sammy Sass. Not to be confused with Sammy Sosa, who was a significant part of this organization for years, Sass will finally be given an opportunity on the pro circuit and will latch onto the Cubs' system.

Some might wonder what took so long for Sass to land a contract, especially considering his impressive performance for Wright State last season. Sass put together a .362 average across 52 games in 2024, belting 13 homers and driving in 62. He did that while taking 20 walks and striking out just 23 times, as Sass had no issues getting on base.

Looking at his collegiate career as a whole, you will notice that Sass played in more than 200 career games, combining to hit .321 in those games. He added 41 homers and drove in 217, so production was clearly not an issue for him. Considering the Cubs had a need for a catcher in their organization, adding Sass is a logical fit, and it gives the Cubs another player with some upside to see what he can do.

Anytime you see those types of numbers across a four-year run, it does make you question why he wasn't drafted during the initial process. Whatever the reason, the Cubs don't care, as they have now signed him and stationed him in Myrtle Beach, where he was already in uniform.

While the 2024 season is considered a breakout year for Sass, the rest of his collegiate career was far from a bust, as he was one of the more productive hitters, especially when it comes to catching. He can hit for average, hit for power, and has a keen eye at the plate, which allows him to post some very high on-base percentage numbers.

In other words, Sass is solid in most aspects of the game, and there was a reason why many scouts felt he could be a late-day two or early-day three pick, only to see him fall out of the draft entirely. Once that happened, Sass hit the undrafted market where several clubs showed interest throughout the summer.

Yet, for whatever reason, Sass chose not to sign with anyone. Now, 11 months later, he has reconsidered and has, in fact, latched on with the Cubs and their organization. Although not the biggest guy at 6-1 and 195 pounds, Sass is an extremely powerful hitter capable of generating some elite exit velocity and big-time power.

He has strong and quick hands that not only help generate the elite bat speed you are looking for but also help him have some of the best bat-to-ball contact skills regardless of position in his class. When it comes to his power, Sass has no issues driving the ball over the fence, especially when it comes to the pull side.

While that does have its perks, Sass does get far too pull-happy at times and has struggled to elevate the ball the opposite way. While there is no direct path or plan for Sass and his future, the Cubs clearly like something about him, and you have to wonder if it's bat-to-ball skills combined with the power.

This is a feel-good story after sitting jobless for nearly a year, and it will be interesting to follow his journey throughout the Cubs system.