Draft expert may have just spilled the Cubs’ 2025 MLB Draft blueprint

Regardless of what happens with the Chicago Cubs and Kyle Tucker this offseason, the ability for the Cubs' contention window to not only open fully but remain open will be based on their success developing their farm system. It's not something that Cubs fans want to hear, especially when the team has the money to address any internal development shortcomings, but it's the approach the Cubs' front office will follow until their spending changes.

To the Cubs' credit, over the last three years, their drafting has been excellent. 2022 first-round pick Cade Horton is at the Major League level with the impression he could quickly rise to the top of the starting rotation, 2023 first-round pick Matt Shaw is at the Major League level and serving as the team's starting third baseman, and 2024 first-round pick Cam Shaw is making the case to be the American League Rookie of the Year with the Houston Astros.

Those are success stories that the Cubs are looking to carry into the 2025 MLB Draft. The Cubs hold the No. 17 pick, and recent mock drafts have suggested the Cubs could follow the Shaw and Smith blueprint in taking a college bat, or they could look to add a new pitching prospect to the top of their farm system.

In his latest draft preview for ESPN, Kiley McDaniel suggests the Cubs will follow their trend of targeting power arms and bats, and McDaniel has some specific names linked to the Cubs.

"There are some solid options this year who are tied to the Cubs in Arkansas teammates Wehiwa Aloy and Gage Wood. Josh Hammond, Xavier Neyens and Jace Laviolette would also fit." McDaniel shares for ESPN.

Cubs’ 2025 MLB Draft plans might not be as secret as they thought

Selecting LaViolette could be seen as a reflection of what the Cubs plan to do at the trade deadline at the end of the month. LaViolette is a slugging outfielder who was once believed to be on track to be the No. 1 pick in this year's draft. Some offensive regression with Texas A&M this last season led LaViolette to fall to the middle of the first round when it comes to his recent draft projections.

With it being possible, if not likely, that the Cubs will be trading one of Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara at the deadline, the idea of the front office targeting an outfield prospect like LaViolette would make sense. Especially with Tucker's lingering free agency.

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