The last two years of the MLB Draft saw the Cubs take pitchers with almost 75% of their picks. In 2018, the Cubs are taking a more balanced approach. On Monday night, the Cubs took a shortstop, two outfielders, and one pitcher. This year on day two, the Cubs took a balanced approach selecting four position players and four pitchers.
Here is who they took today:
3. Jimmy Herron – OF – Duke – 6’1” 195 – Bats R, Throws L
4. Ethan Roberts – RHR – Tennessee Tech – 5’11” 170 lbs. Throws Right
5. Andy Weber – 2B – Virginia – 6’1″ 190 – Bats Left, Throws Right
6. Kohl Franklin – RHP – Broken Arrow, Oklahoma HS – 6’4″ 190 lbs.
7. DJ Artis – OF – Liberty University – 5’9″ 165 lbs. Bats Left, Throws Left
8. Zach Mort – RHP – George Mason University – 6’1″ 2015 lbs. Throws Right
9. Derek Casey – RHP – University of Virginia – 6’2″ and 190 lbs. Throws Right
10. Luke Reynolds – 3B – Southern Mississippi – 6’1″ 195 lbs. Bats Left, Throws Right
As a result of taking a more balanced approach this year, the Cubs took players who have some quality attributes. Speed, experience, approach, makeup, and having a plus pitch seemed to be the order of the day.
Speed – Herron and Artis are known for their ability to use their speed to their advantage on defense and at the plate.
Experience – Casey, Reynolds, and Artis all have three years of college experience. Reynolds, however, had to sit for two years to transfer from Mississippi State to Southern Mississippi. In addition, Roberts, who is currently playing in the College World Series, along with Casey have pitched at the highest levels of the NCAA against elite teams.
Approach – Herron (who will miss all of 2018 due to TJS), Weber, Artis, and Reynolds received rave reviews for their strike zone management as evidenced by their OBP. Reynold’s, however, lead the NCAA in 2018 with an astounding .551!
Makeup – The Cubs look to be selecting high-quality makeup guys who have a defined work ethic and leadership skills. That has been the case almost to a player in the Theo era. This year, Herron and Reynolds especially were praised by evaluators for their impact on their teammates.
Plus Pitch – I really like Ethan Roberts as a pitcher and his potential. The same is true of Casey, Mort, and Kohl Franklin. What separates most pitchers is just having that one out-pitch. Casey can get hitters out in a variety of ways but Roberts has a knee-buckling curve that could pave his way to Chicago as a reliever or a starter (which he has only done once this year and it happened to be in the CWS). Take a look at this breaker.
@PitchingNinja This is Tennessee Tech University vs Ole Miss in a super regional. Ethan Roberts absolutely buckles a kid with his breaking ball. pic.twitter.com/rIafN9G8o2
— SC: TheArmstreet (@TheArmstreet) June 4, 2018
For day three, the Cubs will more than likely continue to value these characteristics as they make thirty selections starting at 11 am central. About half of those projects will sign.
For Your 2018 Draft Reading Perusal
Nico Hoerner Profile
Second Round Selections
Lead photo of DJ Artis courtesy of Liberty Athletics.