Chicago Cubs select Kyle Schwarber with fourth overall pick

With the fourth overall pick in the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft, the Chicago Cubs selected Kyle Schwarber, a left-handed-hitting catcher from Indiana University.

Here’s an excerpt from our Draft Day preview piece that went live earlier this morning:

"When it comes down to the Cubs’ pick, a position player seems likely. CBS Sports has Chicago taking Kyle Schwarber, a catcher/outfielder from Indiana University. However, should he be taken, his position could change to a corner infield or outfield slot. According to an MLB.com Draft video preview, Schwarber has above-average power, but less-than-savory defensive skills behind the dish, which could prompt a position change after draft day."

The 6-foot-4, 204 pounder was touted as the country’s best amateur catcher by Perfect Game and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. He led the Big Ten with 18 home runs in his sophomore year, a school record, while slugging .647 with a .456 on-base percentage this season. As a sophomore, he led Indiana to their first College World Series and first conference regular season title in 81 years.

Schwarber joins an impressive group of young talent within the Cubs organization that includes Javier Baez, Albert Almora, Jorge Soler, and Kris Bryant, the second overall pick in last year’s draft.

Preceding the Cubs’ pick, the Houston Astros selected high school left-hander Brady Aiken with the first overall pick, the Miami Marlins drafted hard-throwing right-hander Tyler Kolek in a bit of a surprise move, as man anticipated the team would take Cuban-American and Miami native Carlos Rodon, who fell to the Cubs’ crosstown rival, the Chicago White Sox at third overall.

More draft coverage will follow at cubbiescrib.com later in the evening.