Venezuelan WBC Hero Predicted To Have Breakout Year For Cubs

Daniel Palencia's dominant World Baseball Classic performance could lead to a breakout season for the Cubs' young reliever.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 3:10pm

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After a standout performance as Venezuela's closer in the World Baseball Classic, 26-year-old Chicago Cubs reliever Daniel Palencia is predicted to have a breakout season in 2026. Palencia went 1-6 with a 2.91 ERA and 22 saves for the Cubs last year, but was untouchable in the WBC, not allowing a single run or hit in five innings pitched. Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter believes Palencia has the elite stuff to emerge as one of baseball's top closers and could be in line for a 40-save, All-Star season.

Why it matters

Palencia's success in the high-pressure environment of the World Baseball Classic suggests he is poised to take a major step forward for the Cubs this season. As a young, hard-throwing reliever, Palencia could solidify the back end of the Cubs' bullpen and become a key piece of their pitching staff for years to come.

The details

In his first full season with the Cubs in 2025, Palencia went 1-6 with a 2.91 ERA and 22 saves in 54 games. He then dominated as Venezuela's closer in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, not allowing a run or hit in five innings pitched. Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter believes Palencia has the talent to build on that performance and emerge as one of baseball's elite closers, potentially recording 40 saves and making the All-Star team in 2026.

  • Palencia went 1-6 with a 2.91 ERA and 22 saves for the Cubs in 2025.
  • Palencia was untouchable as Venezuela's closer in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The players

Daniel Palencia

A 26-year-old relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who had a breakout performance as Venezuela's closer in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Joel Reuter

A writer for Bleacher Report who predicts that Daniel Palencia will have a breakout season for the Cubs in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Daniel Palencia was the relief pitcher pick for our 2025 All-Breakout Team that was chosen at the end of the season, so it's fair to say the hard-throwing reliever has already broken through. However, he is still capable of another step forward, with the elite stuff to emerge as one of baseball's true lockdown closers during the upcoming season. He flourished in the pressure cooker of the World Baseball Classic, closing out the championship game against Team USA with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. A 40-save season and All-Star selection could be the next step in 2026.”

— Joel Reuter, Writer

The takeaway

Daniel Palencia's dominant performance in the World Baseball Classic suggests the young Chicago Cubs reliever is poised for a breakout season in 2026. If Palencia can translate his WBC success to the MLB level, he could emerge as one of baseball's top closers and help solidify the back end of the Cubs' bullpen.