CHICAGO — The strategy set forth by Cubs vice president of scouting Dan Kantrovitz and his team for this year’s Draft centered on prioritizing position players early on and then transitioning to a pitcher-heavy approach in the latter stages. This blueprint was meticulously followed and successfully executed by the North Siders.
Reflecting on their selections, Kantrovitz expressed satisfaction with their outcomes, believing they secured promising prospects who could potentially make significant impacts both in the majors and specifically for the Cubs. “Looking back on it, I can say we accomplished what we wanted to accomplish,” Kantrovitz remarked. “I think we ended up getting some future big leaguers, some future Cubs and, hopefully, some future impact big leaguers.”
The Cubs kicked off their draft campaign by picking Florida State third baseman Cam Smith with the 14th overall selection, setting the tone for their early focus on position players. Over the course of the Draft’s initial two days, Chicago concentrated on adding depth across multiple positions, ultimately using seven of their ten picks on position players. The final day of the Draft saw the Cubs round out their selections with a pitcher-heavy approach, drafting seven pitchers out of their remaining ten picks.
In total, the Cubs’ draft haul included nine pitchers (six right-handers and three left-handers), seven infielders (comprising three first basemen, two shortstops, and two third basemen), along with two outfielders and two catchers.
Kantrovitz indicated confidence in signing all their picks, including high school prospects like shortstops Ronny Cruz (third round) and Ty Southisene (fourth round), as well as outfielder Eli Lovich (11th round), alongside the 17 selections from the collegiate ranks.
The Cubs’ approach to this year’s draft was notably bolstered by an increase in pre-Draft workouts, a strategy they expanded significantly compared to previous years. Kantrovitz estimated hosting approximately twelve such events, which played a crucial role in their evaluation process. These sessions allowed the Cubs to interact closely with prospects, assessing their skills firsthand and gauging their potential fit within the organization.
“We really scaled up those workouts this year, and I think it ended up paying off,” Kantrovitz noted. The additional face-to-face interactions provided valuable insights beyond statistical analysis, giving the Cubs a more comprehensive view when making their selections.
Among the notable picks, Kantrovitz highlighted Nicholls State first baseman Edgar Alvarez, selected in the eighth round, as a potential sleeper. Alvarez, despite being older for a draft prospect at 23, impressed with his standout offensive numbers and defensive prowess, earning accolades such as the ABCA-Rawlings Gold Glove Award for first base.
“Eddie has a beautiful, pure swing,” Kantrovitz praised. “His performance this past season really stood out, and we believe he has the potential to surprise many.”
Another standout from the Cubs’ Day 3 selections was left-handed pitcher Evan Aschenbeck from Texas A&M, chosen in the 11th round. Aschenbeck garnered attention for his stellar collegiate career, highlighted by leading Division I in ERA (1.78) and playing a pivotal role in his team’s run to the College World Series finals.
“His ability to handle high-leverage situations with his arsenal of pitches makes him an intriguing prospect,” Kantrovitz remarked. Aschenbeck’s repertoire includes a fastball in the 88-92 mph range, complemented by a devastating slider and changeup, making him a formidable presence on the mound.
In summary, the Cubs’ 2024 Draft strategy of prioritizing position players early and then shifting focus to pitching talent was a calculated approach aimed at fortifying their farm system with versatile and impactful prospects. With an emphasis on thorough evaluation and strategic selection, Chicago looks ahead to nurturing these talents and potentially seeing them contribute to their major league roster in the coming years.
