The Chicago Cubs continued to quietly reinforce their organizational pitching depth this week, agreeing to terms on minor league contracts with two former SEC standouts who bring a blend of pedigree, experience, and upside. Right-handers Tyler Beede and Corbin Martin both joined the organization on low-risk deals, giving the Cubs additional arms with major league experience as they prepare for spring training and the long grind of the upcoming season.
While the moves may not generate the same headlines as blockbuster trades or high-dollar free-agent signings, these types of depth additions often play a critical role over the course of a 162-game schedule. Pitching attrition is inevitable, and teams that can draw from a deep pool of experienced arms are better positioned to weather injuries and performance fluctuations. For the Cubs, adding Beede and Martin represents a calculated approach to strengthening the pitching pipeline without sacrificing roster flexibility.
Beede is the more recognizable name of the two, largely because of his unique draft history and strong amateur résumé. He was drafted in the first round of the MLB Draft on two separate occasions, a rare distinction that underscores how highly he was regarded as a young pitcher. The Toronto Blue Jays selected Beede 21st overall in the 2011 draft out of Lawrence Academy in Massachusetts, but he chose not to sign, instead honoring his commitment to Vanderbilt University.
That decision paid dividends at the collegiate level. Beede became a cornerstone of Vanderbilt’s rotation and emerged as one of the top pitchers in college baseball. During the 2013 season, he went 14–1, setting a school record for wins while helping lead the Commodores to national prominence. His performance earned him second-team All-American honors, All-SEC recognition, and finalist spots for both the Dick Howser Trophy and the Golden Spikes Award. By the time he finished his junior season, Beede had re-established himself as a top draft prospect, and the San Francisco Giants selected him 14th overall in the 2014 MLB Draft.
Despite that pedigree, Beede’s professional career has been uneven. He made his major league debut with the Giants in 2018 and has since logged time with several organizations, including Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco, as well as stints overseas in Japan and Mexico. Across 201 career MLB innings, Beede owns a 5.55 ERA, numbers that reflect both flashes of promise and prolonged struggles with command and consistency.
Beede’s most recent professional season illustrated just how winding his career path has become. In 2025, he split time between Triple-A with Minnesota, the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, and Diablos Rojos del México. Results were difficult to come by at each stop, and he never quite found sustained momentum. Still, evaluators remain intrigued by the raw tools. When healthy and mechanically sound, Beede has shown the ability to miss bats, and his fastball has touched the upper 90s. The Cubs may view him as a candidate for reinvention, potentially experimenting with him in a relief role where his velocity could play up in shorter stints.
Corbin Martin, meanwhile, represents a different kind of reclamation project. Like Beede, Martin was once a highly regarded prospect, having starred in the SEC before reaching the major leagues. He has appeared in the big leagues with the Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Baltimore Orioles, gaining exposure to multiple organizations and pitching philosophies along the way. While Martin has not yet established himself as a consistent major league contributor, his experience across several systems gives him a level of maturity and adaptability that can be valuable in a depth role.
For the Cubs, Martin adds another layer of flexibility. He has worked both as a starter and reliever during his professional career, giving the organization options depending on where the need arises. In a minor league environment where innings must be covered and prospects protected, pitchers with Martin’s background often serve as stabilizers, capable of stepping into different roles as needed.
These signings also reflect the Cubs’ broader organizational strategy. Chicago has emphasized building depth throughout the roster, particularly on the pitching side, where injuries and workload management remain constant challenges. Minor league contracts for veterans with upside allow the team to take chances without significant financial commitment. If a player like Beede or Martin rediscovers form, the reward can be substantial. If not, the cost remains minimal.
Spring training will be critical for both pitchers. Beede, now 32, enters camp with plenty to prove but also with the benefit of experience. His challenge will be showing that he can throw strikes consistently and harness his power arsenal in a way that plays against advanced hitters. A move to the bullpen could simplify his approach and allow the Cubs to maximize what he does best. Martin, meanwhile, will look to demonstrate durability and effectiveness, showing he can handle innings in whatever role the organization assigns.
From the Cubs’ perspective, neither signing is guaranteed to impact the major league roster immediately. However, baseball history is filled with examples of veteran pitchers who carved out late-career roles after years of inconsistency. The Cubs’ player development staff will work closely with both Beede and Martin to identify adjustments—whether mechanical, strategic, or mental—that could unlock more consistent performance.
As the Cubs head into spring training, fans may focus on the top of the roster and the competition for starting jobs, but these quieter moves could matter just as much over the long term. Injuries, doubleheaders, and bullpen fatigue often force teams to reach deep into their systems. Having experienced arms like Beede and Martin available could provide stability when it’s needed most.
In the end, the signings of Tyler Beede and Corbin Martin exemplify the type of low-profile, upside-driven moves that smart organizations make every offseason. They may not grab headlines now, but if either pitcher finds a groove and contributes meaningful innings at any point during the season, the Cubs’ decision to invest in depth will look like a savvy one.
