Cubs get another scare from top prospect carrying injury concern since being drafted

The Chicago Cubs' farm system, as a whole, has taken a step back since the trade deadline, but the hope was that the ascension of position-player prospects remaining in the system would lift the system back up. Sure, that's been the case with Josiah Hartshorn, Owen Ayers, and Kane Kepley, but Ethan Conrad being healthy and playing in games was going to be equally important.

The Cubs drafted Conrad while he was recovering from shoulder surgery, but a back injury during spring training this year further delayed the start of his professional career. Conrad started playing in games at the end of June, and it only took 34 for him to be promoted to High-A South Bend. It seemed to be validation of what the Cubs have said all along, once Conrad was healthy, he was going to hit and not stop hitting.

Conrad went hitless through his first two games at the High-A level, but unfortunately, the injury concern has returned. Conrad last played on August 23 and he has since been placed on the seven-day IL.

Ethan Conrad suddenly dealing with another injury, bringing back fears of when Cubs drafted him

The downside is that the Cubs usually are very tight-lipped when it comes to injuries within their minor-league system. Even in the reporting of Conrad being placed on the IL, it's just coming out now despite it happening earlier this week. It's unclear if this is related to shoulder/back injuries he's dealt with since being drafted by the Cubs, or if this is a new injury.

It's also possible the Cubs are just acting out of an abundance of caution, and have seen all they needed to see from Conrad this season. Though, considering the layoff he's had since being drafted last summer, that probably isn't what is happening.

Chances are we won't know the extent of Conrad's injury until he either or doesn't return to games this season. The regular season for South Bend comes to an end on September 11. Hopefully, Conrad is back before then and continues his ascension.

Regardless, Conrad won't factor into the Cubs plans to replace Ian Happ or Seiya Suzuki next season. If all goes well, the hope is that Conrad is on the cusp of being ready by the end of next season. Between Conrad, Hartshorn, and Kepley, that could be a possible reason why the Cubs, if anything, look for a stopgap option in the corner outfield spots next season, assuming they don't just hand left field and right field over to Matt Shaw and Pedro Ramirez.

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