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When the Chicago Cubs selected outfielder Ethan Conrad in the first round of the 2025 MLB draft, there was some concern that the team was getting damaged goods after Conrad missed the end of his final collegiate season due to a shoulder injury. The Cubs weren't concerned with the injury, expecting a full recovery. Conrad may not play in a minor league game this season, but he has returned to the field.
The @Cubs 2025 1st round draft pick @ethanconrad23 took BP on the field for the first time on Tuesday! I missed seeing it but it's great for him taking the next step in the rehab process! #Cubs #CubsProspects pic.twitter.com/h32MppVC1v
— Rich Biesterfeld (@biest22) September 17, 2025
Seeing Conrad on the field and taking swings is an encouraging sign and one that suggests he will be ready for game action in spring training next season.
Cubs draft gamble pays off as red-flagged rookie finally suits up
Watching @cubs 2025 1st round draft pick @ethanconrad23 take BP on the field this morning. Sweet swing and he drove one of these pitches off the batter’s eye! #Cubs #CubsProspects @WatchMarquee pic.twitter.com/npoIMFiHV2
— Rich Biesterfeld (@biest22) September 19, 2025
Conrad is believed to be a bat-to-ball hitter first, with the idea being that his power could develop as he gets stronger and ascends through the Cubs' minor-league system.
Conrad's debut appearance on MLB Pipeline's ranking of the Cubs' prospects is at No. 6. Conrad is behind the household names of the team's prospect list--Owen Caissie, Moises Ballesteros, Jefferson Rojas, Jaxon Wiggins, and Kevin Alcantara--but ahead of fringe top prospects such as Jonathon Long and James Triantos.
Conrad visited Wrigley Field in August and touched on some of his takeaways from meeting the established players on the Cubs' Major League roster.
“They set the example for what you want to be,” Conrad said. “You kind of have in the back of your mind, you can't really take a year or two to get ready. You’ve got to start getting ready right now and take everything super serious. I think that’s something I’ve been doing, just locking in on everything -- sleep, nutrition, working out, training, stuff like that -- to prepare myself.”
It's hard to project Conrad's fit on the Major League roster. Even with the likelihood that Kyle Tucker leaves via free agency, the Cubs, as of now, will still have Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, Owen Caissie, and Kevin Alcantara with the team. Of course, time will likely sort this out as Conrad won't be making his Major League debut in 2026. If anything, Conrad being healthy could give the Cubs more incentive to be more creative with potential trades this offseason.