Javier Assad Bio
Javier Eduardo Assad Ramírez (born July 30, 1997) is a Mexican professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He signed with the Cubs as an international free agent in 2015 and made his MLB debut in 2022, gradually working his way through the minor league system before establishing himself as a starting pitcher in Chicago.
Born and raised in Tijuana, Mexico, Assad has built his professional career within a single organization, advancing from the rookie level to the major leagues over six seasons. He is recognized for his perseverance, his growth as a starter, and his role within the Cubs’ pitching staff. Internationally, he has represented Mexico on the national stage.
Early Life and Background
Javier Eduardo Assad Ramírez was born on July 30, 1997, in Tijuana, Mexico. Growing up in a city known for its strong baseball culture, he developed an early interest in the sport, playing Little League Baseball as a youth in local programs that helped shape his fundamentals as a pitcher.
During his time in Little League, Assad was teammates with Alfonso Rivas, who would later also become a professional baseball player. Their shared youth experience created a long-standing connection, and the two eventually reunited as teammates on the Chicago Cubs following Assad’s promotion in 2022.
Specific details about Assad’s formal education and family background are not widely documented. His upbringing in Tijuana and his early immersion in youth baseball provided the foundation that led to his eventual signing with a Major League Baseball organization at the age of 18.
Path to Baseball
Assad’s professional path began when he signed with the Chicago Cubs as an international free agent on July 27, 2015. The signing represented a major step in his development, as the Cubs committed to a young pitcher with potential from Mexico’s baseball talent pipeline.
He made his professional debut in 2016 with the rookie-level Arizona League Cubs, where he posted a 2.87 ERA across 10 games. The performance was a strong introduction to professional baseball and set the tone for his steady ascent through the minor league ranks.
Over the following seasons, Assad progressed through Low-A, Single-A, High-A, and Double-A levels, gaining experience and refining his skills as a starting pitcher. His advancement reflected both his durability and his ability to adapt to higher levels of competition within the Cubs’ farm system.
Javier Assad Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Assad began his professional career with the Arizona League Cubs in 2016, where he pitched to a 2.87 ERA in 10 games. In 2017, he advanced to the Low-A Eugene Emeralds, recording a 5–6 record with a 4.23 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 13 starts, demonstrating his ability to handle a full-season workload.
The 2018 season saw him move to the Single-A South Bend Cubs, where he appeared in 23 games with 21 starts, posting a 5–7 record, a 4.40 ERA, and 89 strikeouts over 106+1⁄3 innings. In 2019, pitching for the High-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Assad went 4–10 with a 3.87 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 22 starts.
A notable moment during his time in Myrtle Beach came on May 3, 2019, when Assad attempted to field a push bunt from Marco Hernández of the Salem Red Sox. After dropping the ball on the transfer, Assad kicked it toward first base, where first baseman Cam Balego caught it for an out. A video of the play went viral on Twitter, adding a memorable chapter to his minor league tenure.
Triple-A and MLB Breakthrough (2020–2022)
The 2020 season brought an unexpected pause to Assad’s development, as the minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He did not appear in a game that year, but he returned in 2021 to pitch for the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, where he recorded a 4–8 record and 5.32 ERA with 74 strikeouts across 93 innings.
Assad began the 2022 season with Tennessee before being promoted to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. Across 23 combined appearances and 21 starts, he posted a 5–3 record and 2.66 ERA with 111 strikeouts in 108+1⁄3 innings, earning recognition as one of the Cubs’ top pitching prospects.
On August 23, 2022, Assad was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut that night in a spot start against the St. Louis Cardinals. Less than a month later, on September 12, he earned his first career victory, allowing one run on five hits and three walks across six innings against the New York Mets.
Chicago Cubs Era (2022–Present)
Assad’s transition to the major leagues marked the beginning of his tenure as a member of the Cubs’ pitching staff. In 2024, the Marquee Sports Network considered Assad to have developed into a crucial piece for the Cubs, having previously been an overlooked pitcher within the organization.
His role with the team grew as he continued to log starts and contribute to the rotation. Assad’s journey from a young international signing to a reliable major league arm highlighted his work ethic and his steady development under the Cubs’ player development system.
His progression through the Cubs organization underscored the franchise’s investment in international talent and its commitment to developing pitchers from Latin America into major league contributors.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Assad’s professional career came in 2019 at High-A Myrtle Beach, when his creative kick of a loose ball to first base produced an unusual out and a viral video. The play became a fan favorite and demonstrated his awareness and composure on the field.
Another significant milestone occurred on September 12, 2022, when he earned his first major league victory against the New York Mets. In 2023, he represented Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, throwing 2+2⁄3 scoreless innings in relief against Puerto Rico in the quarterfinal round, marking his debut on the international stage.
Javier Assad Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Assad was born and raised in Tijuana, Mexico, where he developed his passion for baseball through local youth programs. His early baseball connections included playing alongside Alfonso Rivas in Little League, a relationship that endured into their professional careers with the Chicago Cubs.
Personal Life
Javier Eduardo Assad Ramírez married Melissa on February 11, 2022. The couple has been supportive of his professional baseball career, with Melissa often present during key moments of his journey from the minor leagues to the major leagues.
2025 Season Performance
Assad’s 2025 season began with a setback, as he was placed on the injured list due to oblique soreness. The injury was later diagnosed as a Grade 2 strain of his left oblique, and on April 30, 2025, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list, delaying his return to the Cubs’ rotation.
Following a period of rehabilitation, Assad was activated from the injured list for his season debut on August 12. His return came after a lengthy recovery process, and the Cubs were eager to reintegrate him into their pitching staff as they navigated the latter portion of the season.
His comeback represented an important step in the Cubs’ rotation plans, and his health and performance in the final stretch of the year were closely monitored by the organization. Assad’s resilience through injury reflected his commitment to returning to form and contributing to the team’s goals.