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Chicago Cubs: Five college players Cubs need on their draft radar

Feb 22, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (70) talks to president of baseball operations Theo Epstein during spring training camp at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (70) talks to president of baseball operations Theo Epstein during spring training camp at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 24, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Virginia Cavaliers first baseman Pavin Smith (10) hits an rbi single during the fifth inning against the Vanderbilt Commodores in game three of the College World Series Finals at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Virginia Cavaliers first baseman Pavin Smith (10) hits an rbi single during the fifth inning against the Vanderbilt Commodores in game three of the College World Series Finals at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Pavin Smith,1B/OF, Virginia

If there’s a player in this draft class that can make an immediate impact on both sides of the ball, it’s Pavin Smith.

Smith has been a model of consistency for Virginia since he began playing in 2015. In three years, he’s played in all 157 possible games, hit .317 with 23 home runs and 136 RBI. His OBP (.388) is over 100 points lower than his slugging percentage (.499), which suggests Smith has a very aggressive approach at the plate. Big league hitting coaches will surely tailor this approach, though Smith offers a very fallow foundation to begin working with.

Between first base and the outfield, Smith has a career .989 fielding percentage and is responsible for turning 81 double plays and 98 assists.

Smith turned down the Colorado Rockies’ draft-day offer to him coming out of high school in 2014 to attend the University of Virginia.

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