Chicago Cubs Preparing for More Draft Day Success
The Chicago Cubs are looking to continue first round success in 2017 MLB First Year Player Draft.
After a much-needed successful home stand, the defending champion Chicago Cubs may finally be starting to hit their stride as the second quarter of the season comes into focus. With the 2017 MLB Draft approaching, it seems only fitting that the Cubs begin to catch fire, as they have also had great success in the first round of the draft over the last few years.
As the Cubs approach early June, this becomes the time when Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and company shine.
On the current roster, Chicago’s last five first round selections are all playing, and producing at a high level for the champs. Javier Baez was selected 9th overall in 2011. Albert Almora, who was the first pick of the Epstein era, was selected 6th overall in 2012. In 2013, with the 2nd overall pick, Kris Bryant was selected, and has since won Rookie of the Year, and MVP. Kyle Schwarber was next as the 4th overall pick in 2014. Finally, in 2015, it was Ian Happ selected as the 9th overall pick.
Last season, the Cubs did not have a first, or second round pick due to their signings of John Lackey and Jason Heyward.
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However, this year, Theo and his crew will have not one, but two picks in the first round to strike it rich once again, and continue to add talent to their system. The draft has become a major focal point in the transformation and rebuild of the Cubs farm system, and 2017 figures to be no different. This year’s draft will be held June 12-14.
What will be different this year, is that the Cubs will not have those single digit picks lined up like in the past. Instead, a little more research will be needed as they now have the overall 27 and 30 picks. Ironically, after losing two picks last year to the rival St. Louis Cardinals, the 30th pick was taken back from the Cardinals due to St. Louis’ signing of Dexter Fowler.
As exhibited by drafting Bryant, Schwarber and Happ, the Cubs have focused on taking the best overall, offensive talent from the collegiate ranks in the first round. But with a bevy of offense stock-piled within the system, and a pitching staff that is aging, this year’s first round targets may be shifted some.
It would not be a surprise if the Cubs took developed pitching with one of, if not both of their picks. For as good as the talent is on offense in the minor leagues, the pitching side is lagging behind slightly. With their first pick last year, in the third round, Chicago did go with an established collegiate pitcher in right-hander Tom Hatch, who is Chicago’s 11th ranked prospect.
A few names to keep an eye on would be LSU’s Alex Lange, Missouri’s Tanner Houck, and South Carolina’s Will Crowe, all right-handed pitchers.
Whichever direction the Cubs choose, they have been on a roll in finding immediate success within the first round of the draft. That success is showing on the field where Chicago is also starting to get hot as well.