The Chicago Cubs are just now getting in the swing of things with pitchers and catchers reporting to Mesa, Ariz. on Feb. 9.

However, pitcher Justin Steele is ahead of schedule – by a couple weeks, actually.

“I felt really good. I’ve been throwing bullpens for quite a while,” Steele said in an exclusive interview with Elise Menaker. “I’ve been down here for quite some time so that’s probably my 15th-20th bullpen at this point. I’m feeling really good. I like where I’m at.”

[WATCH: Full Interview with Justin Steele]

Being ahead of schedule gives Steele time to focus on his goals for 2025: getting back to 30 starts and climbing above 180 innings. How can he accomplish that? Consistency.

“I want to be one of those guys that’s known for how consistent he is, even in his day-to-day work, in between bullpens, starts,” Steele said. “Just being the same guy every single day. Even on my start days, joking around the locker room, not being too serious. It’s something I want to strive to be. I want to be somebody that the club can lean on.

“There’s a lot of good hitters across this league, and it’s something you got to always be adjusting on the fly. I feel like I do a pretty good job of that. Facing lineups over and over again, you got to be a little different sometimes.”

RELATED CONTENT:

• The latest on Nico Hoerner’s injury, recovery timeline 
• Matt Shaw, Alex Bregman and where the Cubs stand at third base
• New Cubs starter Matthew Boyd breaks down his pitch mix
• Where Cubs outfield, DH picture stands with Seiya Suzuki, Kyle Tucker

Head over to the Marquee Sports Network app for more Cubs spring training coverage.