\u201cHe\u2019s really taken that and kind of run with it, and he\u2019s got some confidence from that,\u201d manager Craig Counsell said. \u201cHe\u2019s improved. His strike throwing has been a key to this stretch here. He\u2019s just throwing more strikes. The stuff has always worked.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hollowell\u2019s delivery gives hitters a unique look.<\/p>\n
His arm angle, at 10 degrees, is one of the lowest slots among right-handers in the majors this season with only eight pitchers (minimum of 100 pitches thrown) at a lower degree. Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy calls Hollowell\u2019s delivery funky, noting the good extension he gets with his 6-foot-7 frame.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just a unique approach so as long as he\u2019s over the plate, he\u2019s going to be really good,\u201d Hottovy told the Tribune. \u201cAnd when I say over the plate, you see a low-slot guy you think more east-west, but in reality, it\u2019s more north-south for him. Getting his fastball to the top, his changeup and sinker down and then just striking the sweeper. If he does those things, he\u2019s really difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hollowell laughs at mention of his unique mechanics. But the 28-year-old found something something that works for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone out there just says I\u2019m a little different, and, I mean, they\u2019re right, but watching video and stuff, I don\u2019t realize that I\u2019m all the way down there, and it feels normal because I used to throw over the top,\u201d Hollowell said of his arm slot. \u201cThroughout the years, it kind of dropped a little bit, and now I\u2019m finding consistency where I\u2019m at and feel pretty good doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Cubs](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/CTC-Z-CUBS-HOLL.jpg\")
Cubs releiver Gavin Hollowell delivers against the Pirates in the 10th inning Friday, July 24, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (Gene J. Puskar\/AP)<\/p>\n
The addition of a changeup to what had been a three-pitch mix has been a game-changer for Hollowell.<\/p>\n
He dabbled throwing a changeup in 2022 with the Rockies, but it wasn\u2019t an effective pitch so he quickly scrapped it. Over the years, Hollowell had been told by people who specialize in pitch development that if he could add an effective changeup to his repertoire he would have a lot of success.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo for the longest time, I\u2019m like, \u2018I\u2019m trying to throw this thing. I can\u2019t figure it out,’\u201d Hollowell recalled.<\/p>\n
Then in spring training this year, Hollowell again messed around with different changeup grips while incorporating mental cues from previous coaches, and something clicked with a circle-change grip. The pitch movement from his arm angle gives the illusion of his changeup dropping off a table to left-handers.<\/p>\n
Hollowell doesn\u2019t throw the pitch too often, only to lefties, but only two of the 19 he has thrown have been put in play; none have resulted in a hit. Two of his strikeouts this season have come off his changeup.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a former low-slot guy, I feel like the changeup is the pitch that eludes you the most because of how just different grips play off of different arm angles, plus how he releases it,\u201d Hottovy said. \u201cSo it was definitely a pitch that he had to kind of like fiddle with for a while and then it just kind of clicked.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Cubs are hoping to continue to get healthy in the bullpen in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n