Number 18
Haydn McGeary 1B
Age: 23 Years Old
Level: AA Tennessee Smokies
Joined the organization via: 15th Round Pick in 2022 MLB Draft
2023 Stats: .301/.415/.487 12 HR, 17 2B, 5 SB, 60 RBI, 43 R
Haydn McGeary didn’t get much love coming out of a small college as a catcher/first baseman that we all knew wouldn’t stick behind the dish. That being said, he impressed at Rookie ball and in Myrtle Beach before starting the year in South Bend and being promoted to Tennessee. He’s hitting for average and power alike, while not being a detriment on the base paths. He’s the kind of player that legitimately could get a shot at the major league level, especially if the Cubs can’t figure out a solution at first base.
Pedigree matters until it doesn’t. If McGeary had been a first round pick out of Florida and putting up these numbers he’d be a top-100 prospect in baseball and a top-10 prospect in the system. However, because the track record and the competition level leave something to be desired there are people that view these statistics as flukey.
I’m betting on the opposite and I truly believe that if the Cubs don’t bring in other first base options going into next season he could be in the 2024 season what Matt Mervis was this season in that he could get the call to the majors very early to start next year and get a chance to prove what he’s got.