ECU pitcher Landon Ginn agrees to free agent deal with Cubs

Expected to be made official next week, East Carolina right-hander Landon Ginn will forgo his final season of college eligibility and reportedly will receive an $80,000 signing bonus, joining the Chicago Cubs and beginning his professional career.

Cubs add another undrafted pitcher to the mix in Landon Ginn

ECU Pirates insider Stephen Igoe reports Ginn emerged as a key bullpen arm for the the team last season after transferring back into school. He was close to coming back for senior year, but the Cubs made a late push.

The 6-foot-3, 224-pound Ginn was a difference maker down the stretch for the Pirates last season. During his junior season, he posted 36 strikeouts in 34.2 innings. The righty notched two saves while allowing 19 runs, good for a 4.67 ERA.

Ginn pitched as a freshman at ECU before transferring to the College of Central Florida. There, he was one of the best two-way players at the JUCO level. He pitched in 16 games and compiled a 10-1 record with a 2.30 earned run average and 103 strikeouts in 82 innings, while batting .323 with 30 runs scored, 23 RBI and four home runs. Ginn transferred back to ECU for his final collegiate year.

For the CCF Patriots, Ginn helped the squad to a 47-17 overall record, 27-3 conference mark, a league title, FCSAA state championship and a trip to the NJCAA JUCO World Series. This past season with ECU, Ginn earned a win against the University of Oklahoma to clinch a spot in the Charlottesville Regional where they were defeated by the University of Viriginia.

The signing will not count against the bonus pool with the sum being below $150,000.

In terms of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Cubs made 20 selections. In terms of pitching, the Cubs chose nine pitchers in the 20-round draft. According to MLB.com, the Cubs entered the 2023 season with the 12th-best farm system and currently have three out of the top-100 prospects.