After taking a big-time college bat in the first round (Ian Happ), just as they did the last two years, the Chicago Cubs once again took a college pit… strike that. The Cubs went back to the positional well, taking another accomplished college bat in Donnie Dewees.
Playing in the outfield at the University of North Florida, Dewees hit .422/.483/.749 over 60 games in 2015 with more home runs (18) than strikeouts (16). He walked 30 times.
There were some questions about Dewees coming into this season after breaking his wrist the year before, but he seems to have answered them with aplomb, both in the regular season this year, as well as in the Cape Cod League last year. It’s fair to wonder whether the Cubs would have preferred to take a pitcher in this spot, but simply couldn’t pass up on Dewees.
The lefty can play all over the outfield, though he might be limited in center by his arm (otherwise, he probably gets drafted a whole lot higher).
If you’re into rankings, MLB.com had Dewees at 35, as did Kiley McDaniel. BA had Dewees at 66, BP had him at 47 (right where he was taken), and Keith Law had him at 72.
I’ll have even more on Dewees soon.