Cubs' first-round pick gets glowing review from top prospect expert

Seen as possible insurance if Kyle Tucker leaves via free agency, or a potential replacement to Owen Caissie in the farm system, Wake Forest outfielder Ethan Conrad is the latest first-round pick of the Chicago Cubs. Had it not been for a shoulder injury that ended his 2025 collegiate season prematurely, Conrad may not have been on the board when the Cubs were on the clock at No. 17.

The Cubs expect a full recovery for Conrad, and when he returns to the field, one prospect expert believes the team will see why their latest first-round pick was one of the best college hitters in this year's draft class.

Cubs earn expert approval for bold first-round pick

While most mock drafts had the Cubs taking a college bat with their first-round selection, there was some surprise that they took an outfielder with each of their first two picks. That said, if Jim Callis' evaluation is correct, the Cubs could have very well landed their next blue-chip prospect. Something that is certainly going to come in handy as the deadline approaches, and the Cubs consider trading away their current top prospects.

Conrad was off to a blistering start with Wake Forest before his shoulder injury ended his campaign early, hitting 7 home runs in 21 games played.

After the Cubs were done making their selections on day 1 of the draft, vice president of scouting Dan Kantrovitz echoed similar sentiments to what Callis had to say.

"We felt he was somebody that, if he played out the entire season, he would have been considered in the top 10 of the draft. We felt it was pretty exceptional value in terms of getting him at 17. We felt that he’s a potentially dynamic talent.”

One of the areas that doomed the last Cubs' contention window is that they never replaced the prospects that were either traded away from the organization or graduated to the Major League team. With the selection of Conrad, it feels like Jed Hoyer's front office has learned that lesson.

So, whether Caissie is moved at the deadline or is the replacement to Tucker after this offseason, it would seem that Conrad factors in as the next guy in the Cubs' farm system.

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