2019 Cubs MLB First-Year Player Draft
2019 Cubs MLB First-Year Player Draft (Rule 4 Draft) Negotiation List
UPDATED 7/13:
Players selected in the MLB First-Year Player Draft (MLB Rule 4 Draft) are placed on a club's Negotiation List.
2019 Cubs MLB First-Year Player Draft Ticker Tracker
CUBS 2019 MLB FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT PICKS
DAY ONE (6/3)
1st ROUND (27)
Ryan Jensen, RHP
R/R, 6'0 180, Age 21
Fresno State
COLLEGE JR
AREA SCOUT: Gabe Zappin
COMMENT: Bulldogs Friday starter... 2019 Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Year... 12-1 with a 2.88 ERA & 1.09 WHIP, 82 hits allowed (only three HR), 27/107 BB/K in 100 IP, 16 games (15 GS) with one CG shutout in 2019... features a mid-90's FB that touches 98 and has run & sink... also features a plus-hard SL and a usable CH, but is primarliy a FB/SL pitcher... a "late bloomer" who had significant command issues in 2017-18 but obviously he improved his control in 2019... worked out of the bullpen in 2017 before moving to starting rotation in 2018...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $2,570,100
2nd ROUND (64)
Chase Strumpf, 2B
R/R, 6'1 191, Age 21
UCLA
COLLEGE JR
AREA SCOUT: Tom Myers
COMMENT: Bat-first infielder with below average range and a below-average arm that limits him to playing 2B only... hit 363/475/633 with 12 HR & 53 RBI and 23 doubles in 58 games in 2018 and was named All-Pac 12 and consensus 2nd Team All-American as a sophomore and was named a first-team pre-season All-American by Baseball America going into his junior year, but he had a disappointing 2019 campaign (289/431/469 in 53 games) although he was 7th in the Pac-12 in walks... hit 26 HR and 44 doubles and collected 121 RBI in 166 career games at UCLA over the course of three seasons... played for Duluth in the summer collegiate wood-bat Northwoods League in 2017 and hit 335/425/549 with six HR & 32 RBI and 15 doubles in 44 games...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $1,050,300
++++++++++++++++++++++++
DAY TWO (6/4)
3rd ROUND (103)
Michael McAvene, RHP
R/R, 6'3 210, Age 21
U. of Louisville
COLLEGE JR
AREA SCOUT: Jacob Williams
COMMENT: Cardinals closer... posted 2.67 ERA & 0.79 WHIP with 16 hits (three HR) allowed and 9/46 BB/K over 30.1 IP in 21 games in 2019... was recruited as a SP but was moved to bullpen after undergoing TJS in 2017... missed most of the 2017-18 seasons... features a 92-95 MPH four-seam FB that touches 96-97 and a plus-SL, but FB was clocked at 100 MPH in ACC tournament last month... doesn't use his CH much after moving to the pen... was suspended four games this past weekend after arguing a ball-strike call with an umpire in an NCAA Regional game... was a college teammate of Cubs minor league RHP Riley Thompson (Cubs 2018 11th round draft pick- U. of Louisville)...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $565,600
4th ROUND (132)
Chris Clarke, RHP
R/R, 6'7 212, Age 20
USC
COLLEGE JR
AREA SCOUT: Tom Myers
COMMENT: Began season as set-up guy but inherited the closer job when previous USC closer was moved to starting rotation... had TJS in HS and still has difficulty throwing on back-to-back days. so he's more of a multi-inning type "fireman" who can close out a game than a more-conventional one-inning closer... 1.03 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and .170 OppBA with 32 hits (only two HR) allowed and 18/60 BB/K in 52.1 IP for Trojans in 2019... features 92-95 MPH two-seamer with sink and a plus-CV (which is his swing & miss pitch)... a true scholar-athlete who graduated from HS when he was 16...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $426,600
5th ROUND (162)
Josh Burgmann, RHP
R/R, 6'0 205, Age 21
U. of Washington
COLLEGE JR
AREA SCOUT: Gabe Sandy
COMMENT: Huskies Friday starter... finished tied for 2nd in strikeouts in Pac-12 Conference in 2019... posted a 4-6 record with a 3.99 ERA & 1.39 WHIP with 88 hits (9 HR) allowed and 22/101 BB/K in 79.0 IP (14 GS) for Huskies in 2019... extreme strike-thrower with outstanding command... pitched for Canadian 18U Junior National Team in 2014-16...attended Vauxhall Baseball Academy in Alberta (Canada) and was selected by STL in 30th round of 2016 draft but did not sign... had TJS in 2017... worked out of u-dub bullpen during rehab season in 2018 before developing a put-away slider and moving into starting rotation in 2019... features full array of starter's repertoire (low-90's FB, SL, CV, and CH)... was a college teammate of Cubs minor league INF Levi Jordan (Cubs 2018 29th round draft pick - U. of Washington)...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $318,200
6th ROUND (192)
Ethan Hearn, C
L/R, 6'1 195, Age 18
Mobile Christian School - Mobile, AL
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: Mississippi State
AREA SCOUT: Alex McClure
COMMENT: Top high school catcher in the draft and #3 catching prospect behind only #1 overall pick Adley Rutschman (Oregon State) and 1st round (9th overall) pick Shea Langeliers (Baylor)... has plus-arm and plus-power... receiving needs work... will require significant overslot bonus to sign (probably $1M+)...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $247,000
7th ROUND (222)
Brad Deppermann, RHP
R/R, 6'0 190, Age 22
U. of North Florida
COLLEGE 5th YEAR (REDSHIRT SR)
AREA SCOUT: Tom Clark
COMMENT: Ospreys Friday starter... Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Year... led conference in strikeouts... posted 6-5 record with 2.46 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and .217 OppBA, and allowed 76 hits (five HR) and 24/108 BB/K in 95 IP in 2019... was selected by Cubs in 31st round of 2014 draft out of East Lake HS (Tarpon Springs, FL) but did not sign... has likely agreed in advance to a substantially underslot signing bonus so that Cubs can re-allocate balance of #222 bonus slot value toward Hearn's bonus...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $194,400
8th ROUND (252)
D. J. Herz, LHP
R/L, 6'2 185, Age 18
Terry Sanford HS - Fayetteville, NC
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: U. of North Carolina
AREA SCOUT: Billy Swoope
COMMENT: Rated the #2 HS pitching prospect in North Carolina... three-sport star in HS (football QB, basketball SG, and baseball LHP)... 0.50 ERA with 17/106 BB/K in 56.1 IP at TSHS in 2019... features 88-91 MPH FB but has touched mid-90's in showcases... also features an inconsistent hard-slider and he has had command issues from time-to-time... will almost certainly require over-slot bonus to sign... might be difficult for Cubs to find enough excess bonus slot values elsewhere in top 10 rounds so that both Hearn and Herz can be signed (TBD)...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $162,700
9th ROUND (282)
Tyler Schlaffer, RHP
R/R, 6'1 180, Age 18
Homewood-Flossmoor HS - Flossmoor, IL
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: UIC
AREA SCOUT: John Pedrotty
COMMENT: Two-way player in HS (RHP/SS)... features 90-93 MPH FB that touches 94, mid-70's CV, and a plus-CH...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $149,800
10th ROUND (312)
Wyatt Hendrie, C
R/R, 5'11 195, Age 20
Antelope Valley College
JC FRESHMAN
AREA SCOUT: Tom Myers
COMMENT: Athletic catcher with a plus-arm (43% CS in 2019) and above-average speed (14 SB)... was OF in HS but was converted to catcher at AVC... hit 410/479/610 with two HR & 26 RBI, ten doubles and ten triples, and 16/23 BB/K in 38 games (166 PA) for the Marauders in 2019... has compact swing and flat swing-plane...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $142,200
++++++++++++++++++++++
DAY THREE (6/5)
NOTE: A signing bonus in excess of $125,000 for any player selected in Rounds 11-40 as well as for any player eligible for selection in the draft who is not selected and who is subsequently signed as a Non-Drafted Free-Agent (NDFA) count against a club's Rule 4 Draft Signing Bonus Pool (SBP).
11th ROUND (342)
Mack Chambers III, SS
B/R, 5'11 170, Age 19
Seminole State
JC FRESHMAN
AREA SCOUT: Ty Nichols
COMMENT: Hit 404/489/565 with 8 HR & 64 RBI, 21 doubles, and four triples, 34/27 BB/K, 14 SB (4 CS) for Trojans in 2019... played for his father (Mack Chambers Jr) at Seminole State... was HS teammate of Cubs 2018 6th round draft pick RHP Kohl Franklin at Broken Arrow HS in Broken Arrow, OK...
12th ROUND (372)
Hunter Bigge, RHP
R/R, 6'0 205, Age 20
Harvard
COLLEGE JR
AREA SCOUT: Matt Sherman
COMMENT: Posted 4.37 ERA & 1.56 WHIP and allowed 119 hits in 119.1 innings with 64/120 BB/K over the course of three seasons at Harvard... two-way player (RHP/3B) first two seasons at Harvard... hit 296/362/466 in 79 games as position player... became full-time starting pitcher 2019... hit 280/368/378 and posted 3.14 ERA with 47 hits allowed and 18/52 BB/K in 51.2 IP (10 GS) for Duluth in Northwoods League (summer collegiate wood-bat league) in 2018... best pitch is 94-96 MPH FB... also has average CV... has had command issues throughout his college career... projects as a reliever in pro ball... National Merit Scholar in HS (Los Gatos HS - Los Gatos, CA)...
13th ROUND (402)
Porter Hodge, RHP
R/R, 6'4 230, Age 18
Cottonwood Senior HS - Murray, UT
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: U. of Utah
AREA SCOUT: Steve McFarland
COMMENT: Led his HS to Utah 5-A state championship in 2019... 19-3 with 1.50 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, allowed 82 hits (no HR) with 60/163 BB/K in 130.2 IP (30 games - 20 GS - 10 CG - 6 shutouts) over course of career at CSHS...
14th ROUND (432)
Ryan Reynolds, 3B
B/R, 6'2, 215, Age 21
U. of Texas
COLLEGE JR
AREA SCOUT: Steve Riha
COMMENT: Hit .272/394/397 with four HR & 32 RBI, 11 doubles, 30/30 BB/K in 54 games for Longhorns in 2019... Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2019... Rawlings Perfect Game HS All-American Honorable Mention in 2016... hit 289/418/400 for Santa Barbara in California Collegiate League (summer collegiate wood-bat league) in 2017 and 227/308/364 for Cotuit in Cape Cod League (the premier summer collegiate wood bat league) in 2018... son of ex-MLB RHP Shane Reynolds... was college teammate of Cubs minor league LHP Josh Sawyer (Cubs 2018 16th round draft pick - U. of Texas) and was a HS teammate of Cubs minor league INF Jake Slaughter (2018 18th tround draft pick - LSU) at Ouachita Christian HS (Monroe, LA)...
15th ROUND (462)
Zach Bryant, RHP
R/R, 6'1 210, Age 21
Jacksonville University
COLLEGE JR
AREA SCOUT: Tom Clark
COMMENT: Dolphins closer... allowed 20 hits (no HR) with 19/44 BB/K in 31 IP (28 games) for Jacksonville in 2019... was second in saves in Atlantic Sun Conference... transferrd to Jacksonville from Daytona State College (88 hits and four HR allowed with 36/94 BB/K in 87.2 IP and 45 games at DSC 2017-18)... was selected by Cubs on his 21st birthday...
16th ROUND (492)
Johzan Oquendo, RHP
R/R, 6'2 180, Age 18
Leadership Christian Academy - Guaynabo, PR
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: Broward College
AREA SCOUT: Edwards Guzman
COMMENT: Features 91 MPH FB... was HS teammate of Cubs minor league INF Miguel Pabon (Cubs 2018 34th round draft pick)...
17th ROUND (522)
Tanner Dalton, RHP
R/R, 6'2 195, Age 22
Sacramento State
COLLEGE SR
AREA SCOUT: Gabe Zappin
COMMENT: Hornets closer... posted 2.50 ERA and 16 saves with 73 hits (five HR) allowed and 34/110 BB/K in 100.2 IP (61 games) over the course of two seasons at Sac State... owned & operated a landscaping & snow removal business in Alberta (Canada) before enrolling in the Prairie Baseball Academy in Lethbridge, Alberta, in 2016... went 4-0 with a 2.36 ERA for Lethbridge in Western Baseball Major League (summer collegiate wood-bat league) in 2016... transferred to Sacramento State in 2018...
18th ROUND (552)
Alex Moore, RHP
R/R, 6'3 205, Age 22
Lander University
COLLEGE SR
AREA SCOUT: Keith Lockhart
COMMENT: Bearcats Friday starter... went 4-4 with 5.32 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, allowing 68 hits (two HR) with 33/84 BB/K in 69.1 IP for NCAA D-2 Lander in 2019 after going 2-5 with a 6.20 ERA while allowing 62 hits with 25/65 BB/K as a SP/RP "swing-man" in 2018...
19th ROUND (582)
Adam Laskey, LHP
R/L, 6'3 205, Age 21
Duke
COLLEGE JR
AREA SCOUT: Billy Swoope
COMMENT: Rated a Top 10 round talent and was the Blue Devils Friday starter at the start of the 2019 season but missed most of the season with injury... went 1-0 with 6.00 ERA and .277 OppBA, allowing 13 hits (no HR) with 10/13 BB/K in 12 IP in 2019 before being shut-down in April... was 2018 Cape Cod League Pitcher of the Year after going 5-0 with 1.19 ERA with 11/26 BB/K in 31.1 IP for Falmouth (Cape Cod League is the premier summer collegiate wood-bat league)... Rawlings/Perfect Game third team All-American and was rated the #150 HS prospect in USA and the #6 prospect in NJ in 2016... was selected by SF in 31st round of 2016 draft but did not sign...
20th ROUND (612)
Darius Hill, LF
L/L, 6'1 190, Age 21
West Virginia
COLLEGE SR
AREA SCOUT: Jacob Williams
COMMENT: Hit 304/365/511 with 6 HR & 38 RBI, 22 doubles, 18/30 BB/K, in 52 games for Mountaineers in 2019... named to All-Big 12 Freshman team in 2016... Louisville Slugger first-team All-American at Jesuit College Preparatory School (Dallas, TX) in 2015... has below-average arm & below average speed...
21st ROUND (642)
Nelson Maldonado, LF
R/R, 5'10 195, Age 22
U. of Florida
COLLEGE SR
AREA SCOUT: John Koronka
COMMENT: Played 3B in HS but was a DH/LF in college... Hit 335/397/581 with 10 HR & 43 RBI, 14 doubles, and 21/32 BB/K in 55 games for Gators in 2019... was known as a short-stroke high-contact hitter prior to 2018 season (hit .400 in SEC games and put-up a .449 OBP for the full-season in 2017) before altering his swing and showing more XBH power in 2018-19... hit 308/444/517 with 4 HR & 22 RBI and 11 doubles for Madison in Northwoods League (summer collegiate wood-bat league) after his freshman season in 2016...
22nd ROUND (672)
Elian Almanzar, RHP
L/R, 6'4 210, Age 19
Florence-Darlington Tech
JC FRESHMAN
AREA SCOUT: Tom Clark
COMMENT: Went 4-0 with 4.73 ERA, allowing 28 hits (no HR) with 26/30 BB/K in 26.2 IP (10 games - 9 GS) for Stingers in 2019... projectable-but-raw RHSP with promising 89 MPH FB... secondary pitches need work...
23rd ROUND (702)
Manny Collier, CF
R/R, 5'10 170, Age 18
Westwood HS - Mesa, AZ
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: South Mountain CC
AREA SCOUT: Steve McFarland
COMMENT: HS football star (WR) at Westwood... baseball is his second sport and so he is very raw... also is basketball PG... has plus-plus speed... below-average arm... moved to Arizona from Chicago when he was nine... Westwood HS is located about a mile from the Cubs UAPC at Riverview Park in Mesa so the Cubs know all about Manny Collier and he knows all about the Cubs...
24th ROUND (732)
Grayson Byrd, INF
L/R, 6'3 205, Age 22
Clemson
COLLEGE 5th YEAR (REDSHIRT SENIOR)
AREA SCOUT: Keith Lockhart
COMMENT: Hit 326/405/604 with 15 HR & 56 RBI, 14 doubles, and 25/40 BB/K in 56 games for Tigers in 2019... transferred to Clemson in 2016 after spending freshman year at LSU... played SS in college but projects as 2B-3B in pro ball... son of ex-MLB RHP and current Atlanta Braves announcer Paul Byrd... member of 18U USA Junior National Team in 2012 but was assigned to Team USA Developmental Team... selected out of HS by Atlanta Braves in 39th round of 2014 draft but did not sign...
25th ROUND (762)
Zac Taylor, CF
R/R, 6'1 185, Age 23
U. of Illinois
COLLEGE 5th YEAR (REDSHIRT SR)
AREA SCOUT: John Pedrotty
COMMENT: First-team All-Big Ten in 2019... led Big Ten in stolen bases in 2019... hit 321/405/612 with 10 HR & 29 RBI, 12 doubles and three triples, 31/38 BB/K, and 23 SB, in 53 games for Illini in 2019... transferred to Illinois from U. of Houston after 2016 season... selected by MIN in 36th round of 2018 draft but did not sign... graduated from Downers Grove South HS (Downers Grove, IL) in 2014...
26th ROUND (792)
Jacob Olson, INF
R/R, 6'0 200, Age 22
U. of South Carolina
COLLEGE SR
AREA SCOUT: Tom Clark
COMMENT: Hit 258/336/512 with 13 HR & 37 RBI, 14 doubles, 15/40 BB/K, and eight SB, in 56 games for Gamecocks in 2019.. hit 308/333/495 for Chatham in Cape Cod League (the premier summer collegiate wood-bat league) after sophomore season in 2017... versatile & athletic defender who can play anywhere in the infield & outfield... spent freshman season at West Georgia Tech and was named to GCAA first-team in 2016... was selected by AZ in 39th round of 2016 draft but did not sign...
27th ROUND (822)
Cayne Ueckert, RHP
R/R, 6'3 195, Age 23
McNeese State
COLLEGE SR
AREA SCOUT: Trey Forkerway
COMMENT: SP/RP swing-man... posted 3-3 record with 6.04 ERA & 1.76 WHIP, with 59 hits (three HR) allowed and 30/48 BB/K in 50.2 IP (18 games - 10 GS) for Cowboys in 2019... went 3-3 with 25 K in 42.2 IP (11 games) for Anchorage Bucs in Alaska Baseball League (summer collegiate wood-bat league) in 2018... transferred to McNeese State from Panola College after sophomore year...
28th ROUND (852)
Chris Kachmar, RHP
R/R, 6'3 180, Age 22
Lipscomb University
COLLEGE SR
AREA SCOUT: Alex McClure
COMMENT: Bisons Friday starter... went 9-3 with a 3.61 ERA, 78 hits (7 HR) allowed, with 41/94 BB/K, in 94.2 IP (15 GS) in 2019... spent freshman year at Fairleigh-Dickinson University, then transferred to Palm Beach State College, and then transferred to Lipscomb from PBSC after sophomore year...
29th ROUND (882)
Jake Washer, C
R/R, 6'0 220, Age 23
East Carolina
COLLEGE SR
AREA SCOUT: Billy Swoope
COMMENT: Johnny Bench Award semi-finalist in 2018... hit 285/385/481 with 19 HR & 87 RBI, 19 doubles, and 60/101 BB/K, in 121 career games at ECU... 17% CS as a catcher for Pirates in 2019... was named WPAC Player of the Year in both his junior and senior years in HS...
30th ROUND (912)
Bryan King, LHP
R/L, 6'1 184, Age 22
McNesse State
COLLEGE SR
AREA SCOUT: Trey Forkerway
COMMENT: Lefty reliever... 4-1 and a 3.44 ERA, with 46 hits (four HR) allowed, and 22/50 BB/K in 49 IP in 2019... was a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American after impressive debut season in 2016 but struggled as a SP in both his sophomore and junior seasons (too many walks allowed in 2017 and too many hits and HR allowed in 2018) before being moved to the bullpen in 2019... college teammate of Cubs 27th round pick Cayne Ueckert...
31st ROUND (942)
Shane Combs, RHP
R/R, 6'2 219, Age 22
Notre Dame
COLLEGE SR
AREA SCOUT: John Pedrotty
COMMENT: Little-used righty reliever... posted a 4.70 ERA & 1.89 WHIP and allowed 10 hits (no HR) and 19/17 BB/K in 15 IP (14 games) for the Fighting Irish in 2019... was rated the #2 high school RHP in Massachusetts as a HS senior in 2015... had TJS in 2015, did not pitch in 2016, and appeared in only five games (combined) in 2017-18...
32nd ROUND (972)
Bryce Windham, IF-OF
L/R, 6'1 190. Age 22
Old Dominion
COLLEGE SR
AREA SCOUT: Billy Swoope
COMMENT: High-contact bat-first utility player who can play just about anywhere (2B-3B-SS-LF-CF-RF)... hit 343/465/419 with 44/13 BB/K, and nine SB for the Monarchs in 2019... played QB and led Saint Mary Catholic Central HS to Michigan state high school football championship in 2014...
33rd ROUND (1002)
Ryan Ritter, SS
R/R, 6'1 170, Age 18
Lincoln Way East HS - Frankfort, IL
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: Austin Peay State
AREA SCOUT: John Pedrotty
COMMENT: Hit .500 with three HR & eight doubles for the Griffins in 2019...
34th ROUND (1032)
Nolan Letzgus, RHP
R/R, 6'0 175, Age 18
Heritage HS - Ringgold, GA
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: Walters State CC
AREA SCOUT: Keith Lockhart
COMMENT: Posted 3-1 record, 0.72 ERA, and .136 OppBA, with 14 hits allowed and 12/48 BB/K in 29 IP (6 GS) for the Rams in 2019... FB 88-92 T-94, CV 79-81, CH 79-80, and SL 80-82... outstanding all-around athlete who served as the DH when he wasn't pitching, was a star WR & KR on his HS football team, and he plays basketball, too (10.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in his senior yesr)...
35th ROUND (1062)
Hunter Patteson, LHP
L/L, 6'4 170, Age 19
Vero Beach HS - Vero Beach, FL
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: UCF
AREA SCOUT: John Koronka
COMMENT: Posted 6-1 record, 0.96 ERA, and 1.06 WHIP, with 21 hits allowed and 18/77 BB/K in 51 IP (10 GS) for the Fighting Indians in 2019... features 84-87 T-89 FB, and mid-70's CH and SL...
36th ROUND (1092)
Jayson Hoopes, RHP
R/R, 6'3 190, Age 18
St. Augustine Prep - Buena Vista Township, NJ
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: U. of Virginia
AREA SCOUT: Matt Sherman
COMMENT: Features 89-92 T-94 FB and a mid-70's CV.. switched his college commit from Wagner to UVA prior to the draft...
37th ROUND (1122)
Jaylon McLaughlin, CF
B/R, 5'11 165, Age 21
U. of Nevada
COLLEGE JR
AREA SCOUT: Gabe Zappin
COMMENT: Speedy defense-first CF from Santa Monica, CA... hit 289/348/381 with 4 HR & 38 RBI, 10 doubles and five triples, 29/89 BB/K, and 32 SB (5 CS) in 111 career games over the course of three seasons in Reno... was selected by NYM in 38th round of 2016 draft but did not sign...
38th ROUND (1152)
Marc Davis, 3B/RHP
R/R, 6'3 190, Age 19
Florida Southwestern State College
JC FRESHMAN
AREA SCOUT: John Koronka
COMMENT: Cubs drafted him as a 3B but he was the closer at FSW... 2.96 ERA with 15 hits (no HR) allowed and 16/41 BB/K in 24.1 IP for the Bucs in 2019... he was a two-way player (1st team All-State as SS/RHP) at South Gwinnett HS in Georgia, however...
39th ROUND (1182)
Mason Auer, CF/RHP
R/R, 6'0 185, Age 18
Kickapoo HS - Springfield, MO
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: Missouri State
AREA SCOUT: Ty Nichols
COMMENT: A two-way player in HS, Auer is projected as a CF at higher levels depite displaying a 96 MPH FB (also a CV and CH) off the mound... hit .321 with two HR & 15 RBI at the plate and went 6-1 with a 0.79 ERA and 78 K in 10 GS for the Chiefs in 2019...
40th ROUND (1212)
Mac Bingham, CF
R/R, 5'11 190, Age 18
Torrey Pines HS - San Diego, CA
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: USC
AREA SCOUT: Alex Lontayo
COMMENT: Was also the star RB on his HS football team...
Recent comments
Arizona Phil (view)
18-year old SS Jefferson Rojas almost made the AA Tennessee Opening Day roster, and he is a legit shortstop, so I would expect him to be an MLB Top 100 prospect by mid-season.
Arizona Phil (view)
Among the relievers in the system, I expect RHRP Hunter Bigge at AAA Iowa and RHRP Ty Johnson at South Bend to have breakout seasons on 2024, and among the starters I see LHP Drew Gray and RHP Will Sanders at South Bend and RHP Naz Mule at ACL Cubs as the guys who will make the biggest splash. Also, Jaxon Wiggins is throwing bullpen sides, so once he is ready for game action he could be making an impact at Myrtle Beach by June.
Arizona Phil (view)
I expect OF Christian Franklin to have a breakout season at AA Tennessee in 2024. In another organization that doesn't have PCA, Caissie, K. Alcantara, and Canario in their system, C. Franklin would be a Top 10 prospect.
Arizona Phil (view)
The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022.
Arizona Phil (view)
Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch.
crunch (view)
cards put j.young on waivers.
they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.
Childersb3 (view)
Seconded!!!
crunch (view)
another awesome spring of pitching reports. thanks a lot, appreciated.
Arizona Phil (view)
Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:
SHOTA IMANAGA:
FB: 90-92
CUT: 87-89
SL: 82-83
SPLIT: 81-84
CV: 73-74
COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes... if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...
JOE NAHAS:
FB: 90-92
SL: 83-85
CV: 80-81
COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...
YENCY ALMONTE:
FB: 89-92
CH: 86
SL: 79
COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...
FRANKIE SCALZO JR:
FB: 94-95
CH: 88
SL: 83
COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning...
MICHAEL ARIAS:
FB: 94-96
CH: 87-89
SL: 82-83
COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...
ZAC LEIGH:
FB: 93-94
CH: 89
SL: 81-83
CV: 78
COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...
JOSE ROMERO:
FB: 93-95
SL: 82-84
COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...
crunch (view)
pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"
mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit. nice.
he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons. he's not lean, but he looks healthier. good for him.