The Chicago Cubs shocked the rest of the baseball world when they selected Southern Arkansas pitcher Hayden Simpson – a player pegged as a third or fourth rounder – in the first round of the 2010 draft. And then Simpson went down with a bad case of mono, and we didn’t hear much about him thereafter.
He’s finally getting ready to start throwing again.
Hayden Simpson, the Cubs’ No. 1 pick in last June’s First-Year Player Draft, was expected to begin workouts in Mesa, Ariz., later this month if he passes all medical checkups. Simpson did not report to a Minor League team after the Draft because he was sidelined with a severe case of mononucleosis. The right-handed pitcher from Southern Arkansas University, who was the 16th overall selection. Simpson was to get a head start on his workouts before Christmas, take time off for the holidays, and then return to Mesa. Muskat Ramblings.
Even though he hasn’t pitched in a Cubs uniform, Simpson is considered a top ten prospect in the system. He’ll get a start in A ball somewhere next year, with a chance to end the season at AA.