Chicago Cubs: Five realistic MLB draft day targets

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The Chicago Cubs have an array of choices when it comes to the number 16th overall pick. The question remains: which direction will they go?

As we inch ever closer to the Chicago Cubs draft day, the heat is beginning to pick up, and teams have a vital road ahead of how to navigate their future successfully. It has been discussed before how difficult it can be for organizations to make the “right” pick. Many times it is a crapshoot. Remember: Mike Trout saw 24 other prospects selected in front of him.

By its very nature, the MLB first-year player draft excels in that way. Having the number one overall pick does not guarantee you a superstar, just like having the 29th pick does not mean a team won’t find talent.

The Chicago Cubs have the 16th overall pick in this year’s draft. We did a piece on “dream” scenarios for the Cubs, noting the top ten talent that probably remains unreachable. Here are five ‘realistic’ draft day scenarios for the Cubs to bring it back down to earth.

Chicago Cubs: A staunch arm

Scouts across the game love to uncover the best talent. After all, that is their job. Isolating the exact skill level between high school talent and collegiate level talent is one of the most critical aspects of their duties. It is also the most challenging aspect.

One of the biggest prep names in this year’s draft is Jesuit High School starting pitcher Mick Abel. A lanky kid, Abel stands at 6’5″ and has displayed dominance on the mound for his size. In 2019, Abel was named as the 2018-19 Gatorade Oregon Baseball Player of the Year.

That year Abel had helped his team to the Class 6A state tournament after posting a 1.34 ERA in 28 games. Abel also managed to strike batters out at an insane rate, recording 90 punch-outs in 57 1/3 innings. He also provided leadership off the field by providing clothing for homeless children.

Abel sits in the 90-94 mph range for his fastball, with an ability to run it as high as 97 mph. His secondary pitches include a plus-plus slider rated by scouts as the best of the high school class and a changeup with an above-average quality to its drop in the zone. In terms of his control, he is the best in the class in that regard. Abel leads with a toe-tap, which assists in his delivery, and his large frame provides balance on the mound.

The novel coronavirus unceremoniously canceled the high school baseball season this year, which does not play to Abel’s advantage. He is committed to Oregon State to play baseball and could find himself slip due to his canceled season. Still, Abel has a ton of qualities that could play well as a future mid-rotation starter and could give the Cubs another strong young arm for years to come.

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Chicago Cubs: Intrigue and mystery

One of the most exciting prospects is high school pitcher Nick Bitsko. In the last few months, Bitsko has moved up and down draft boards. Currently, Baseball America’s latest mock draft has the young righty going in the top ten, to the San Diego Padres.

The Central Bucks East High School junior posted a career 1.27 ERA between two varsity seasons. In the same boat as Abel, Bitsko’s junior season was suspended due to the novel coronavirus. It also makes scouting Bitsko difficult.

Last season in just 23 2/3 innings, Bitsko walked only seven while recording 46 strikeouts. He also did not allow a single ball to fly over the wall. At 6’3″, 225 pounds Bitsko possesses the perfect frame to be a dominant arm.

His fastball sits around 90-94 mph. However, he has been able to run it up to 98. Bitsko also has an excellent breaking ball with a curveball that breaks deep and sits 78-80 mph and changeup between 82-84 mph. It will be interesting to see if Bitsko can climb into the top ten or fall somewhere in the middle of the round. If there is a prep pitcher, the Cubs should take a chance on its Bitsko.

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Chicago Cubs: A unique profile

Another top ten talent, UCLA outfielder Garrett Mitchell brings a certain mystique to the draft process for teams. As a former star at Orange Lutheran, Mitchell possessed top talent. Unfortunately, after a tough final year, he fell into the middle rounds of the MLB draft and chose instead to fulfill his commitment to UCLA to become a Bruin.

Mitchell played a considerable amount during his freshman season at UCLA. He slashed .280/.337/.331 over 44 games. Despite somewhat of a down freshman season, Mitchell rebounded elegantly in his second year. The big left-handed hitter slashed .349/.418/.566 with 12 triples and 18 stolen bases.

Entering into this year, Mitchell was expected to be an offensive catalyst for the blue and gold. His season was cut short after only 15 games because of the novel coronavirus. However, Mitchell had amassed a .355/.425/.484 line with a .909 OPS and six doubles. He had only struck out three times over 62 at-bats.

Given an elite speed rating paired with above-average defense, Mitchell is expected to contend for a centerfield spot wherever he lands next week. He has been deemed to have a “rocket” arm, which would bode well for any outfield in the majors. Mitchell is one who can be tricky to mark in terms of his scouting reports and pure talent. However, if Mitchell is still on the board at 16, Theo Epstein and the front office would be foolish to pass him over.

Chicago Cubs: Another unique prep bat

One of the most impressive things a high schooler can do in baseball is to hit a baseball into the bleachers of an MLB stadium. As many exist who can undoubtedly accomplish this feat, one particular kid took it to an entirely new level. Meet Austin Hendrick.

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Hendrick has spent the past four years at West Allegheny High School, located in Imperial, Pennsylvania. If there is one thing about this kid, it is that he already has insane power. Hendrick demonstrated this ability after being filmed hitting baseball’s halfway up the bleachers in Wrigley Field in right field. Hendrick has also hit a baseball entirely out of Wrigley Field.

The sheer power of this kid is unreal. He has a quick swing that moves effortlessly through the zone. Hendrick’s fast hands give him the ability to jump on pitches, and his movements’ progression plays to the strength of his swing.

Hendrick pulled his best Bryce Harper home run derby “look” during his batting practice at Wrigley, making it all the more fun to watch him park baseballs wearing a headband.

Hendrick poses another compelling case for the Cubs next week. If Mitchell has been scooped, Hendrick would not be a bad consolation prize. The sturdy outfielder does have a commitment to Mississippi State, which may be troublesome for teams eyeing him. Still, if Hendrick is there, it should be a no brainer for front office and ownership.

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Chicago Cubs: Heir to a throne

Outside of the usual suspects exists a power-hitting first baseman from one of the best college baseball programs in the country. I am talking, of course, about Aaron Sabato. Maybe one of the more underrated prospects in the draft, Sabato finished his freshman season before his sophomore season was ended abruptly.

Sabato is a physical specimen. Standing at 6’2″, 230 pounds, the 21-year-old kid from Rye Brook, New York, brings a slew of tools and talents to the table. As a freshman, Sabato slashed .335/.437/.650, 13 home runs, and a .315 ISO. He smacked 22 doubles in 56 games.

Through 19 games this season, Sabato was slashing .292/.478/.708, a .416 ISO, seven home runs, and six doubles. He had also managed to decrease his strikeout rate by about three percent and experienced a significant uptick in walks, walking nearly a quarter of the time through his 65 at-bats.

Next. MLB, Cubs need a place like Hawaii. dark

Regarded as the second-best first baseman in this class (Spencer Torkelson is tough to beat), Sabato checks many of the boxes as a future major leaguer. His power is parallel to none as it is the best raw power in the class, and Sabato brings a patient eye to each at-bat. As a first baseman, his defense still needs refining, and Sabato could benefit from a hair more speed.

There is still much speculation at the nature of Anthony Rizzo’s future with the club. Rizzo is set to become a free agent after the 2022 season, which, if the Cubs choose to go this route with Sabato, could be a smart move for the team’s future.

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