Chicago Cubs 2018 Draft Recap
Each and every June, the MLB Draft makes lifelong dreams come true for baseball players across the entire country and world. For the Chicago Cubs organization, another 40 rounds have come and gone. President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and company have reeled in a new set of players determined
Each and every June, the MLB Draft makes lifelong dreams come true for baseball players across the entire country and world. For the Chicago Cubs organization, another 40 rounds have come and gone. President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and company have reeled in a new set of players determined to make their presence known through the minor league system.
Compared to many drafts in the past few years, the Cubs organization went back to a strategy that made their farm system one of the best in baseball. With a solid mix of position players and pitchers, especially middle infielders, the Chicago Cubs are on the verge of reloading their minor league affiliates with top-level talent.
In the past, the Cubs farm system was packed with high level position players such as
In all, Chicago selected 17 pitchers, 12 infielders, and 11 outfielders.
Starting at the top, the Cubs selected Stanford shortstop Nico Hoerner with the 24th overall selection. Hoerner needed just three years playing with the Cardinal in the Pac-12 Conference to turn into a first round MLB Draft Pick. As a 19-year-old freshman, Hoerner played second base for the majority of his first year, hitting .254 in 53 games with 24 RBI.
The freshman campaign was followed by two spectacular seasons for Hoerner. After a sophomore season hitting .307 in 2017, he put it all together for the 2018 college season. As the starting shortstop for Stanford, Hoerner hit .349 with a career high two home runs and 40 RBI. He smacked 80 hits in 2018 and finished with an on-base percentage at .394.
According to Chicago Cubs insider Patrick Mooney, Hoerner is expected to finish his responsibilities in the classroom at Stanford before beginning his professional career. As a three year college standout, the possibility of the shortstop eventually spending some time with the South Bend Cubs is not out of the question.
Beyond the infield, the Cubs draft team put together a strong group of talented and fast outfielders. This season,
Herron, Duke's center fielder the past three seasons, never finished a year of college ball with an average less than .300. A .338 average with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League heightened Herron's draft stock.
As the 98th overall selection in the third round, Herron will hope to join speedsters like Davis as Cubs prospects who can make an immediate impact running the bases. In 79 stolen base attempts through his three seasons with the Blue Devils, Herron was only caught 15 times. With a collegiate on-base percentage at .416, Herron has the potential to use his speed as a catalyst to his development.
Another Herron-esque player drafted for the same role was Artis. The Liberty University alum from the Big South Conference put up similar numbers, finishing his college career with a combined batting average of .339.
Statistically as a sophomore, Artis smashed six home runs to go along with 45 RBI with a .359 batting average. Through three seasons, Artis stole 72 bases in 85 tries. The Cubs offense of the future in the mind of Theo Epstein seems to put speed and contact first.
Finally, the former St. John's Red Storm player Galazin was the starting center fielder for three out of four years spent with the program. As an upperclassmen, Galazin became a driving force in the Big East by hammering six home runs and driving in 44 RBI his senior season. With 102 RBI in four years, Galazin is one of the few Cubs draft selections out of college with four complete years played.
On the pitching side, the Cubs continue to push young and up-and-coming arms into their minor league system. With one of their three second round selections, Chicago selected right hander Paul Richan as the first pitcher in their 2018 draft haul. Richan, 6'2'' out of the University of San Diego, spent two of his three years as a full time starter.
With his best numbers coming as a sophomore in 11 starts, Richan went 5-2 with a 3.05 ERA. In 76.2 innings pitching with just 26 earned runs allowed, Richan struck out 73 batters. Overall in college, pitching 189.2 innings, the powerful right hander finished with 194 career K's.
Other notable arms selected by the Cubs included fourth round pick Ethan Roberts from Tennessee Tech, ninth round selection Derek Casey out of Virginia, and 11th round pick Riley Thompson from Louisville.
While prioritizing restocking the infield and outfield depth, the Cubs walked away from the 2018 draft with a fresh stock of talent pitchers at the same time. Many argued that this was one of the important Chicago drafts since they selected Bryant second overall back in 2013.
With a rebuilt arsenal at their disposal, the South Bend Cubs will wait and see just what kind of talent takes the field at Four Winds Field in the coming years. With speed, contact hitting ability, and power arms entering the organization, the future continues to look bright at Wrigley Field.