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“I’m disappointed, but the reality was it was not so much as me failing as there just wasn’t enough room,’’ said Iannazzo, who stayed in Arizona for extended spring training while other players dispersed to their teams. “With that being said, I still have a jersey and I’m still playing, so that’s a positive.”
In spring training, Iannazzo pitched eight innings in five appearances, allowed one run, walked one and struck out 10. Iannazzo signed with the Cubs last year after a record-setting career at the University of Pittsburgh. He finished the season with Class A Daytona after quickly moving through two other levels.
He was an undrafted free agent coming out of Pitt, and Iannazzo believes that pitchers brought in over the winter were assigned to minor league teams. “With the amount of pitchers the Cubs brought in, it trickled all the way down to the bottom,’’ he said. “I’m not the only one to get the short end of the stick.”
Since starting his professional career, Iannazzo’s role has shifted. After working as a starter, he’s now used as a situational left-hander. Situational relievers rarely pitch more than one inning, but he’s learned to adapt his game.
He also put on weight during the off-season and believes he is throwing harder than at any point during his career.
“They told me during the off-season to go put on 15 pounds, and I worked out at Pitt and got stronger,’’ Iannazzo said. “I’m throwing consistently harder than I ever did as a starter. There are no regrets to what happened. I just have to keep this good thing going.”
He will stay in extended spring training and probably report to a short season minor league team in June. “The way I pitched in spring training and the way go after hitters, there isn’t a limit on where they could send me,’’ he said. “I could get a phone call tomorrow to go to AAA," the highest minor league classification.
Iannazzo is determined to see the process through. He knows there will be peaks and valleys along the way.
“Like anybody else in their job, you’re going to be disappointed sometimes,’’ he said. “But you grow to accept it and take it on your own shoulders. I’ve been able to get guys out pretty consistently. As long as I can do that, my spirits will remain high. I’m a realistic person, but I’m also an optimistic person. I think those are good qualities to have at this point in my career.”
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