Chicago Cubs: Tyler Durna could spell the future at first base

MILWAUKEE, WI - SEPTEMBER 03: A Wilson baseball glove and major league baseballs sits on the field at Miller Park on September 3, 2015 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jeff Haynes/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - SEPTEMBER 03: A Wilson baseball glove and major league baseballs sits on the field at Miller Park on September 3, 2015 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jeff Haynes/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: A strong beginning

Finding talent has never been a weak part of Theo Epstein’s game, and it did not stop when the team selected Durna in the 15th round of last summers amateur draft. Durna spent three years at the UC-San Diego, racking up a very successful college career on the diamond.

In 140 career NCAA games for the Tritons, Durna slashed .338/.451/.517 while maintaining a substantial .992 fielding percentage. As a 21-year-old in his final season, Durna slashed .333/.469/.547 while driving in 54 runs and carrying an impressive 1.016 OPS in 55 games.

Durna showed great patience at the plate, posting a ridiculous 17.65% walk rate while keeping his strikeout rate at just 9.8%. To close out his strong season, Durna also posted a .214 ISO despite knocking only seven big flies. For the Cubs, this made it an easy decision to select him and bring him into the fray.