Cubs will likely go the college route in MLB Draft

CHICAGO (670 The Score) – The Cubs have selected a college player with 10 of their most recent 11 first-round picks, and that trend will likely continue Sunday.

That’s in large part because of where the Cubs will select – at No. 14 overall. More college talent is expected to be available there than high school talent, though the Cubs aren’t tipping their hand in any way.

“Nothing jumps out in this year's market from what we have seen in recent years past,” vice president of scouting Dan Kantrovitz said Thursday. “Consistent with recent years, a group of college hitters is expected to go high this time. Not sure if it's an artifact of the way teams have drafted recently or if the skill set matches up that way with this year's players. Nothing from a demographic point stands out this year.”

The Cubs used their first-round picks in the past three years on college players, and each has progressed well. In 2021, they selected Kansas State left-hander Jordan Wicks, who reached the big leagues late last August and earned a spot in the team’s rotation this season before suffering an injury. In 2022, the Cubs’ top pick was Oklahoma right-hander Cade Horton, who has impressed in the minor leagues and reached Triple-A but is currently rehabbing from a shoulder strain.

The Cubs selected Maryland infielder Matt Shaw in the first round in 2023, and he has advanced to Double-A, where he has performed well.

“We try to go into each draft with a blank slate,” Kantrovitz said. "If something would have happened in recent picks, we wouldn't want that to influence us negatively. So because we have had some relative success in our top picks recently, we don't want that to impact us either. It is a source of pride for our scouts when it works out well.”

This is considered a moderately talented draft that's heavier on hitters than pitchers.

"We can't say where the drop-off is yet,” Kantrovitz said. “If we line up the board 1-15 on where the talent is, I think we are in a pretty good position to get a pretty talented player. It's hard to know for sure until the teams pick in front of us. But I don't think we will see a major step down in talent at 14 relative to who goes off the board in front of us. That seems to be a pretty good position to be in.

Kantrovitz then spoke to what the Cubs are looking for in prospects in general.

“Athleticism is valued by you more than it ever has been,” Kantrovitz said. “Having a well-rounded skill set, the player is skilled not just offensively but defensively and from the baserunning standpoint is something we need to be pretty cognizant of. Having an all-around athlete is the biggest reaction we need to have.”

The Cubs will gather their entire front office and scouting staff at Wrigley Field this weekend to put the final touches on their pre-draft process and then be ready for the big event, which begins Sunday at 6 p.m. CT.

Florida State third baseman Cam Smith, North Carolina outfielder Vance Honeycutt, Tennessee second baseman Christian Moore, South Houston State catcher Walker Janek and East Carolina right-hander Trey Yesavage are a few of the names to keep an eye on for the Cubs.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine .