We still don’t know what a minor league season might look like, especially at the lowest levels, but it remains a good idea to get those draft picks locked up sooner rather than later. There’s development work to begin.
Thus, good news today:
#TheBIGSUPDATE The Bigs have been informed that the @Cubs have signed #16 pick Ed Howard for his full slot value of 3.75 million. Ed will likely head to Arizona in August to work with new hitting director Justin Stone. We 🔒’d in w/him a couple weeks ago! https://t.co/tjFzxnAv5l
— #TheBIGS (@itsthebigs) June 21, 2020
Howard has been interviewed by The Bigs very recently, so I feel like this has a little bit of credibility going for it.
Howard, 18, was the top prep shortstop in the draft, and you knew if the Cubs were taking a top high school prospect in the middle of the first, they (1) knew he would sign, but (2) knew it would not be a bargain. Near or full or more than slot is the price of getting a guy like Howard at a spot like that.
We’ll wait when there’s an officially official from the Cubs – there might be a physical to take and all that jazz – but Howard likely immediately becomes at least the fifth best prospect in the Cubs’ system, behind the top four of Brennen Davis, Miguel Amaya, Brailyn Marquez, and Nico Hoerner.
The Cubs will reportedly also sign fifth rounder Koen Moreno, leaving the middle round picks of Burl Carraway, Jordan Nwogu, and Luke Little, all of whom might also sign right around slot. There didn’t appear to be much in the way of gaming in the Cubs’ draft – just taking the guys they wanted at the spots they were available.
UPDATE: It’s officially official:
The #Cubs have signed shortstop Ed Howard, the club’s first round selection (16th overall) in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft. pic.twitter.com/ZGl8UWnRf5
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 22, 2020
The Cubs have a new stud shortstop prospect!