Chicago Cubs: Revisiting the 2020 MLB Draft and the club’s direction

With the Chicago Cubs just a couple years from potentially seeing their window close, the upcoming 2020 MLB Draft is absolutely critical for the club.

In an earlier draft column, I talked about three potential prospects who could find themselves in Chicago Cubs blue and white next June. Since then, the official draft order has swayed in Chicago’s favor (thanks to dropping 10 of 12 to close out the year), potentially allowing them the chance to select a better player at 16th overall.

In the past couple of seasons, the club has taken college-level talent with their respective first-round picks. In 2018 it was Nico Hoerner out of Stanford University – who, of course, made his big league debut late this year. Last season, the club went with Ryan Jensen from Fresno State University.

Naturally, the draft can be a total crapshoot. Unlike other leagues, namely the National Football League, first-round picks in MLB are far and away never guaranteed. Teams do the best they can with the information they have. Epstein is a strong leader and a smart mind. Whichever direction he ultimately takes the club during the process, Epstein should be trusted. Here are a few guys the team could make their next addition.

Chicago Cubs: SP CJ Van Eyk, Florida State

When you look at a guy who seems to have all the right measures for a pitcher, you think of CJ Van Eyk. A product of Florida State for the previous two seasons, Van Eyk displays and carries himself like that of a future major league starter.

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Van Eyk was a freshman in 2018. In his inaugural season, Van Eyk saw action in 19 games with five starts. Across 56 2/3 innings between his two roles, the young right-hander finished a whopping 7-0 with an impressive 2.86 ERA. For Van Eyk, one of the most significant parts of his game during his freshman season, Van Eyk posted an 11.28 K/9 to go along with a 1.27 WHIP.

Last season as a sophomore, Van Eyk became a starter solely. In 94 2/3 innings, over 17 starts, Van Eyk went 10-3 with a 3.80 ERA. His WHIP stayed steady as a rock while his walk rate dropped, and his strikeouts rose.

Per Baseball Cube, Van Eyk was one of the most prominent strikeout pitchers in the ACC last season while also limiting the hits and baserunners.

Regarding his approach, Van Eyk is smooth. A calm and collected wind up with a steady delivery, the stocky right-hander barely looks like he trying at all but displays a tremendous amount of strength and power. He would fit the mold of starting pitching the Cubs will desperately need in the future and carry his college experience onto the next level.

Chicago Cubs: 1B Blaze Jordan, DeSoto Central High School

Ever so often, a high school prospect comes along who changes the scope of the draft landscape. This year that prospect is Blaze Jordan, a 16-year-old first baseman who is graduating high school a year early to chase his dream. He is draft eligible for 2020.

Jordan set the country on fire after his YouTube highlight reel caught over three and a half million views. Some of his famous footage includes 500 foot home runs in Globe Life Park. A couple of the balls Jordan hit during a showcase landed on the mezzanine in dead center field. Jordan also hit a ball into the second deck.

In 87 high school games, Jordan finished with a career .443 average and a .529 OBP. As a sophomore this year, Jordan hit .440 in 144 plate appearances with ten home runs and 46 RBI. More impressively, Jordan struck out just eight times in 37 games.

A first baseman, Jordan, is experimenting with some time at third base. Becoming more versatile would increase his draft stock and possibly give the Cubs a shot at landing him.