Ranking the last 10 Chicago Cubs first-round draft picks, from worst to best

The Cubs are on a hot streak in terms of hitting on their first-round draft picks

2024 Chicago Cubs Spring Training
2024 Chicago Cubs Spring Training | Matt Dirksen/GettyImages
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4. LHP Jordan Wicks: 21st overall in 2021

Jordan Wicks is one of the best examples of the Cubs' pitching infrastructure turning a corner in the 2020s. After his first-round selection in 2021, Wicks mounted a steady climb through the Minor Leagues with a 3.91 ERA over 55 starts across all levels.

At 25 years old, Wicks has 17 big-league starts under his belt, with a 5.02 ERA across 80 2/3 innings. The numbers don't look great on paper, but some context is needed. Wicks' 2023 numbers are inflated because of an outing where he gave up six earned runs and only lasted two innings. If you take that outing away, Wicks' ERA in 2023 comes down to a much more respectable 3.54.

The 2024 campaign was also mired by a forearm issue and a lingering oblique injury that Wicks pitched with for much of the season. His numbers aside, there is still a lot of confidence in the young southpaw's abilities and he is viewed as a quality starting rotation depth heading into the 2025 season. After appearing to cut some weight in the offseason, it looks like Wicks' best days on the mound are ahead of him.

3. IF Matt Shaw: 13th overall in 2023

An infielder by trade, Matt Shaw is the Cubs' most anticipated prospect since Pete Crow-Armstrong. The 22-year-old has amassed 159 minor league games so far and reached the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. He is a natural shortstop with above-average speed (46 stolen bases), decent power (29 home runs) and plate discipline (.384 OBP). The young infielder has also played himself into the Opening Day roster conversation, making him an extremely valuable draft choice despite not even making his MLB debut yet.

It took less than two years for Shaw to reach the top of the Cubs prospect list and Hoyer said he will get a long look at third base this Spring Training. Drafting Shaw also gave the Cubs the flexibility to make the Tucker trade. Moving Paredes and Smith was a gamble and it says a lot about how the organization sees Shaw's abilities that he is probably the guy for third base right now.

We haven't seen what Shaw can do in the Majors yet, but he's been able to excel with every challenge thrown at him so far. If he lives up to the hype in MLB, this draft pick will look like even more of a home run in the future.

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