NEWSLETTER
Because so much random fun stuff pops up over the course of the draft, and because I know we’ll quickly turn to team comments and player analysis and all that good stuff, I want to make sure I don’t miss the chance to share the random fun stuff, and to comment generally on the draft.
That is to say, before I get going with the normal part of the day, random fun stuff about the Cubs’ four new prospects, drafted on Day Two yesterday: college lefty reliever Burl Carraway, college outfield slugger Jordan Nwogu, junior college lefty fireballer Luke Little, and high school righty Koen Moreno.
First, a general comment on the Cubs’ draft: I loved it. The organization needs IMPACT prospects, and that means doing something they haven’t done much until the last few drafts: take big risks. In a draft that was lauded for its once-in-a-generation level of quality college pitching, the Cubs did not take a single traditional college starting pitcher. You could see that as a mistake – every organization needs pitching – or you could see it as the Cubs taking advantage of all the other types of players falling to them, and then trying to scoop up some quality pitching after the draft as unsigned free agents. We shall see.
Every single guy the Cubs took on day two might bust. Indeed, it’s more likely than not – at an individual level – that their warts will preclude them from reaching the huge upside. But that’s what is so different about this draft than the ones the Cubs conducted in 2012 through about 2017: the Cubs are now drafting for huge upside, even if it means lots of risk. Then, if you can just hit on one of the four day two guys? You have yourself a stud, instead of maybe landing four guys who can definitely reach AAA, but then struggle to make the leap.
I do not anticipate the Cubs failing to sign any of their five picks, by the way, nor does it seems like they will be going hugely over or under slot on any of them.
OK, the random fun stuff …
• Some of the best fastballs in the entire draft:
TrackMan Grades: Top 10 College 4 Seam Fastball in 2020
Tune in tonight on @espn , 7 ET for live draft coverage @MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/jF7PR7YGMD
— TrackMan Baseball (@TrackManBB) June 10, 2020
Chicago just got the pitcher (Garrett Crochet) with the best fastball in the draft, according to the MLB scouting departments we polled. #WhiteSoxhttps://t.co/MXfEmdpb9a pic.twitter.com/c8Tqiqzlt7
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) June 11, 2020
• Carraway > Ives:
Kyle Peterson says that Burl Carraway is capable of being in the #Cubs bullpen this year. High velocity and a big curveball from the left side. pic.twitter.com/VBclrvgDM1
— Matt Clapp (@TheBlogfines) June 11, 2020
• The young man is definitely a reliever, but start dreaming on him as a two-inning impact weapon:
Burl to the Cubs!
With the 51st pick in the 2020 draft, the @Cubs select LHP Burl Carraway. pic.twitter.com/FCiZvz6Jk4
— DBU Baseball (@DBU_Baseball) June 11, 2020
• I keep hearing lots of love for Nwogu’s bat:
#Cubs are having a draft so far. Our @2080ball rankings in (parentheses).
1:16 – Ed Howard (11)
2:51 – Burl Carraway (39)
3:88 – Jordan Nwogu (103)Nwogu is a tank. Built like a LB, runs like a RB. Slashed .327/.442/.580 primarily DH & leading off for @umichbaseball last year. pic.twitter.com/vMlZZPR2Vj
— Burke Granger (@burkegranger) June 12, 2020
• Hey, I know it’s a metal bat and all that, but still – that freaking sound:
https://twitter.com/WatchMarquee/status/1271239566926716930
• Oh nooooooo … but he was safe:
Cubs draft Michigan man Jordan Nwogu who is perhaps best known for this unfortunate faceplant slide pic.twitter.com/vMfqYC7ZDw
— CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) June 12, 2020
• Little is going to take a lot of work, especially given his massive size (repeating mechanics at 6’8″ to improve command is really tough), but you can’t teach an arm like this:
https://twitter.com/NickCarboniWCNC/status/1270527048440782848
He's really young, doesn't turn 20 until August, seems like just needs time to learn his size and stuff. 6'8" lefties who can sit in the triple digits just don't exist. Totally worth the risk in my opinion, even if he's probably a reliever. The youth is a selling point for me.
— Zack Silverman (@ZackMatt4) June 12, 2020
• Moreno was a position switch to the mound, who dominated as a junior:
Cubs note that 5th-rounder Koen Moreno had a 1.62 ERA with 80 K in 47.2 IP in his junior high school season.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) June 12, 2020
One of the best all-around kids I’ve ever coached goes to my favorite team.
Saying that I’m excited is an understatement right now.
Congrats @KoenMoreno!! https://t.co/TcMyUG7pY6
— Green Level Baseball ⚾️ (@G_L_BASEBALL) June 12, 2020
• Moreno looks good (got a whiff), but from the look of the swing and the sound of the crowd at the end, Howard got the best of him here:
Cubs 1st round pick, Ed Howard vs Cubs 5th round pick, Koen Moreno
Video thanks to the awesome work over at @ProspectsLive pic.twitter.com/5KQbL6DF8S
— Greg Huss (@OutOfTheVines) June 12, 2020
