Chicago Cubs Draft Notes

The Major League Baseball Draft begins this Monday, June 6, and the Chicago Cubs hold the 9th pick. With the big team struggling so mightily, the team’s draft is likely to receive more scrutiny than usual. And, after coming off a 2010 draft in which the Cubs didn’t exactly pick by the book, folks are hoping the team lands one of the draft’s true elite prospects.

“You want to take the best player available on the first day,” Cubs Player Development Director Oneri Fleita has said. “I think that’s always the way to go about it.

“The second day, you start augmenting and figure out what holes you need to fill in. Do you need an extra outfielder, another infielder, a catcher, etc., etc. I think we’ll go about it like we always do, which is take the best players available the first 10 to 15 rounds, and we’ll worry about where they play and what teams they play for after.”

Under Scouting Director Tim Wilken, the Cubs have focused on athletic types, and finding gems deep in the draft. In the last couple years, however, the Cubs have not spent a whole lot of money on the draft, instead opting to save some dollars for international signings. With Tom Ricketts under fire, you have to wonder if he’ll open up the checkbook and take some guys in later rounds that he knows the Cubs will have to throw a lot of cash at to sign.

As for that first round pick, the Cubs have been attached most heavily to high school stud – and awesomely named – Bubba Starling, who has signed on to play quarterback at Nebraska. Still, he’s being advised by Scott Boras, which suggests that he’s willing to forgo the football thing for a baseball career. He’ll cost a pretty penny to sign, but most experts agree that, if he lasts until nine, the Cubs will take him.

The most recent mock on MLB.com has the Cubs taking high school pitcher Archie Bradley, he of the reported triple-digit fastball.

The first and supplemental first rounds of the draft start Monday at 7pm EST (6pm CST), with the remaining rounds going on Tuesday and Wednesday. You can expect plenty of draft coverage here at BN.

 

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

*SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

Latest News

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Arizona Diamondbacks, with Merrill Kelly on the mound, square off against the Colorado Rockies (who will counter with Cal Quantrill) in their first game of the season, at 9:40 PM ET on Friday.Keep reading to find out all the...

Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Cleveland Guardians, led by Jose Ramirez, take on Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics in their first game of the season, at 9:40 PM ET on Friday.Keep reading to see how to watch the Cleveland-Oakland matchup in the article...

How to Watch Mariners vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners square off against Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you need to watch...

Padres vs. Giants: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

At PETCO Park on Friday, the San Francisco Giants (0-1) face Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (2-1) at 9:40 PM ET.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the San...

Dodgers vs. Cardinals: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Friday, Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1) play Paul Goldschmidt and the St. Louis Cardinals (0-1), with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 PM ET at Dodger Stadium.See how to watch the Los Angeles-St. Louis matchup below.When is...

OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

Astros vs. Yankees: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Cristian Javier will get the ball for the Houston Astros (0-1) when they host the New York Yankees (1-0), with Carlos Rodon on the mound, on Friday. First pitch is at 8:10 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch...

Rays vs. Blue Jays: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

Aaron Civale will get the start for the Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) when they host the Toronto Blue Jays (1-0), with Chris Bassitt on the mound, on Friday. First pitch is at 6:50 PM ET.Keep scrolling to find out all...

Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

more cubs news