Insider has Cubs going off-script in surprising 2025 draft prediction

The start of the 2025 MLB Draft is tonight, and in recent weeks, the indication has been that the Chicago Cubs were leaning toward a college bat who can play shortstop. Wehiwa Aloy, Marek Houston, and Gavin Kilen are among the most consistent predictions for the Cubs, as most prospect evaluators expect them to follow the mold of recent first-round picks Matt Shaw and Cam Smith. Bleacher Report, however, has the Cubs taking a prospect they haven't been connected to yet, and a position they haven't been connected to.

The prediction is that the Cubs take Coastal Carolina catcher Caden Bodine with the No. 17 selection in tonight's draft. Bodine is projected to go in the middle of the first round, so there's no surprise there. But the surprise is that, with Kilen and Gage Wood still on the board, the Cubs go with a catcher.

Bodine, a switch hitter, has a contact-oriented approach, slashing .318/.454/.461 with Coastal Carolina this past collegiate season. However, when breaking down his defensive skills, MLB.com didn't really have glowing remarks.

"Bodine's lack of athleticism and agility limits him a bit behind the plate, though his instincts help. He's one of the best framers in college baseball but still needs to clean up his receiving and blocking. His fringy arm strength plays up thanks to his quick release, helping him erase 39 percent of basestealers as a junior."

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The case can certainly be made that the Cubs' long-term outlook at the catching position remains unsettled. Carson Kelly, given his age, likely isn't the answer, and while Miguel Amaya has shown an offensive turnaround since the closing months of 2024, injuries appear to be the primary reason why the Cubs don't view him as their everyday catcher. Moises Ballesteros has gotten better as a catcher, but his offensive profile is still carrying most of his prospect hype.

That said, the idea of the Cubs taking Bodine in the first round feels like a reach. If one of the college shortstops previously mentioned are on the clock, there would be no need for suspense. If not, it feels like the Cubs would rather take a gamble on a high-school bat or a college pitcher instead of taking a catcher.

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