Chicago Cubs: Will the Cubs target pitching with their first draft pick?

The Chicago Cubs are off to a great start in 2016, entering the second weekend of June with an impressive 41-17 record. They’ll take on the Washington Nationals for another three games on the road while the front office adds to their future.

But for tonight, Theo Epstein and company will have the night off, like their first-place club and will get to work on Friday. For the first time since 2004, the Chicago Cubs do not have themselves a first-round pick.

Both the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals lead the way with three in the first round alone. So when it’s time for Chicago to make a decision, where will they go? They can add to the infield, especially first base or even find themselves another utility player that can jump from second base one day to third the next.

Adding to a specific spot on the depth chart doesn’t necessarily mean they will come up and dethrone guys like Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber or Kris Bryant. It would be nice to have someone who was drafted by Theo’s party to come up and pitch for the big league club.

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When looking at the top 30 prospects for the Chicago Cubs, 15 of them are pitchers. Pretty even but adding another arm to that group wouldn’t be that bad of an idea going forward.

Guys such as Corey Black, Brad Markey, Josh Conway, Duane Underwood, Dylan Cease, and Oscar De La Cruz are just a few names who top that list of potential stars in the making. Homegrown pitching talent is always the best thing to have available.

While it’s nice to go out and sign top free agents to help bulk up either the starting rotation or bullpen, having someone who has been with the organization for a while can be rewarding at times.

For instance, Kyle Hendricks has pitched fairly well for the Chicago Cubs to start the new campaign after a solid first year back in 2014. Despite a rocky 2015, Hendricks is looking like a future No. 2 or possibly No. 3 starter when it’s all said and done.

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Surely, the Cubs will give reigning Cy Young winner, Jake Arrieta the contract that he’s looking for following his dominant 2015 campaign.

Now, as far as options go. It’s hard to tell who will be available when it’s time for the Cubs to make their pick. A few guys such as Kyle Funkhouser (Illinois-native), Jared Poche, Zac Gallen, and or Zach Jackson could be selected by the Chicago Cubs if they are still up for grabs.