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Chicago Cubs' 2025 first-round pick is officially a member of the organization. Jed Hoyer's front office wasted no time in locking up their top pick from this year's class, signing the outfielder to an under-slot deal. Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline reports that Ethan Conrad is signing for $3.56MM, over one million less than the projection for his slot, $4.75MM.
No. 17 overall pick Ethan Conrad signs w/@Cubs for $3,563,100 (slot value = $4,750,800). @WakeBaseball OF, one of most well-rounded players in college crop, could be close to solid tools across the board & good approach at the plate. @MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/Vowprppqtd
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 18, 2025
After undergoing shoulder surgery in April, Conrad fell to the Cubs at No. 17. Conrad is not expected to play in any games for the Cubs' organization this season, but the expectation is that he will be ready for spring training in 2026. Given the shoulder injury, some talent evaluations aren't as high on the Cubs' newest outfield prospect, but the organization is confident in his projection.
First-round signing gives Cubs unexpected savings at perfect time
Not that the Cubs are pinching pennies, but with Conrad signing an underslot deal, the team has more money to float in front of their riskier selections.
Kiley McDaniel of ESPN offered the first glimpse at where Conrad slots into the Cubs' prospect rankings. Updating his Top 10 list for each team, McDaniel has Conrad as the Cubs' No. 5 prospect, behind Moises Ballesteros, Kevin Alcantara, Jefferson Rojas, and Owen Caissie.
Conrad's arrival into the Cubs' system comes at a time when one of Caissie or Alcantara might be moved ahead of the deadline.
While Caissie has been on a heater with the Iowa Cubs over the last month, prospect experts remain split on who is the better prospect between him and Alcantara. In McDaniel's case, he has Alcantara ahead of Caissie.
Both may remain with the Cubs past the deadline; however, given their expected aggressiveness, that may not be the likely scenario. It could be a situation similar to the Kyle Tucker trade last offseason. The Houston Astros were believed to be asking for one of Matt Shaw or Cam Smith. Of course, the debate is still out on whether the Cubs parted with the right prospect given the success Smith is having with the Astros.
Expect more of the Cubs' draft picks to sign over the weekend, especially with the team finding value in Conrad's deal.