3 players Cubs fans should keep an eye on in the MLB Draft

With the 2024 MLB Draft approaching in July, it's time to start looking at who the Chicago Cubs may select with the 14th overall pick. In the last two seasons, the Cubs have picked Cade Horton in 2022 and Matt Shaw in 2023. Both are now among the top 100 prospects in MLB and are high up on the Cubs' prospect leaderboard. This will be another opportunity for the team to strike gold, as several players entering the draft have tremendous upside.

What will be interesting to see is if the Cubs go over or under slot value with their first pick. Furthermore, whether they will select a pitcher or position player is still being determined. Two seasons ago, the Cubs went pitcher-heavy, surprising many by selecting Cade Horton with the 9th overall when many had him tabbed for later in the first or even early 2nd round. Last year, they went with the best available bat. This season, it will also be whoever they deem best available, whether they are a position player or a pitcher. Based on several mock drafts, here are three players Cubs fans should watch, as one of these three may be wearing Cubbie Blue before long.

3 players to keep an eye on - 3. James Tibbs III, 1B/OF

21-year-old James Tibbs has been mashing for FSU down in the ACC all season. He is slashing an impressive .362/.486/.781, but even better than that is his 25 home runs and 84 RBIs in 60 games played. Capable of playing both corner outfield spots if needed, the 6'0 lefty also plays first base, a position some believe he winds up at. Still, it will be interesting if he can stay put in the outfield, further raising his value.

At the end of April, Tibbs came in at 13 overall in a Prospects Live draft. That is ultimately where he's being picked up in most mocks, but any surprises along the way are always possible. The Cubs may not even target a position player in the first round. Horton remains the stud pitcher in the Cubs' farm system. With Ben Brown, Jordan Wicks, Javier Assad, and Hayden Wesneski all at the major league level and losing Jackson Ferris via trade this past winter, it may make more sense for the Cubs to land a top arm in the draft.