2024 MLB Draft: Checking in on five college prospects tied to the Chicago Cubs

It’s been a little over a month since we checked in on the MLB Draft and the prospects that could be available to the Chicago Cubs when they make the 14th selection.

Charlie Condon OF Georgia
Likelihood of availability at 14: <1%

We knew a month ago that Charlie Condon was going to be a reach for the Cubs at 14. In the time since he’s made that reach seemingly impossible by hitting baseballs to a degree that is bordering on unfathomable.

This season, against SEC competition mind you, Condon is hitting .458/.570/1.067 with 20 homers, more walks (27) than strikeouts (21), and as many extra-base hits (32) as games played. It will take something truly unfortunate to occur for him to be available at 14, but he’s one to keep an eye on as a fan of baseball in general because he has star written all over him.

Hagen Smith LHP Arkansas
Likelihood of availability at 14: 10%

One that we considered to be a possibility a month ago but has gone to another stratosphere is Hagen Smith. 

The 6’3 lefty is currently undefeated at 6-0 with a 1.76 ERA over 41 innings. He’s allowed his opponents to bat just .144 off him while maintaining a K rate of better than 18 per nine innings and a walk rate of just a little over 3 per nine innings. 

It wouldn’t come as a shock if Smith had moved himself into the realm of the first pitcher off of the board in July, so it would come as a shock if he were available to the Cubs at 14. 

Brody Brecht RHP Iowa
Likelihood of availability at 14: 65%

In some early mock drafts, Iowa starting pitcher Brody Brecht was considered to be the favorite for the Cubs, but he’s struggled a bit this year. 

His record is 0-1 across eight starts and in his 37 innings he’s allowed 31 hits and 28 walks but he has struck out 69. 

Despite these less-than-impressive numbers, Brecht could easily still slide into the first round and could be the Cubs' selection at number 14.

It’s important to keep in mind that Cade Horton had a worse ERA, worse opponent batting average, and fewer strikeouts than Brecht and he’s now considered one of the best pitching prospects in all of baseball. 

Tommy White 3B LSU
Likelihood of availability at 14: 70%

White’s numbers this season are down across the board compared to his incredible 2023 season. In 2023 he hit .377/.435/.729 with 24 homers and 24 doubles. In 2024 he’s hit .321/.414/.597 with 11 homers and 4 doubles so far in exactly half as many games as he played last season.

He’s walking at a significantly higher rate and striking out less, but he’s a player that is likely better suited for first base than for third base, and therefore the offensive profile may no longer be good enough to see him drafted in the top ten of this draft.

The Cubs have an incredible farm system, loaded with talent at just about every position, but third base is a clear need. BJ Murray is off to an extremely slow start in Iowa, Matt Shaw is in AA and may not be considered by the front office to be a third base option and there’s not much depth outside of those two. 

If White falls to 14 and can stick at third, he could be a steal for the Cubs.