Chicago Cubs Linked to Potential Frontline Pitcher in New Mock Draft

The Chicago Cubs will be looking for new talent when the go on the clock for the 2023 MLB draft in Seattle in July.

The 2023 MLB draft will be July 9-11 in Seattle, which will also host the MLB All-Star Game and the MLB Futures Game.

The Chicago Cubs have the No. 13 overall pick in the draft and ESPN linked the Cubs to a top prep pitcher in its first mock draft.

ESPN projected that Cubs would take Noble Meyer, a right-handed pitcher from Jesuit High School in Portland, Ore. If that’s the pick he would be the fourth pitcher the Cubs have taken in the first round in the last six drafts.

Per ESPN:

Meyer has one of the best collection of pitcher traits in recent memory, with other recent comps to him going at least this high. He has true frontline potential but isn't as polished at this stage as some of the other elite prep arms that have traits of that caliber: Mick Abel, Andrew Painter, Jackson Jobe and Dylan Lesko.

According to Perfect Game, Meyer is committed to Oregon and can also play first base and outfield.

The first five picks in the mock draft included Franklin (Ind.) Community High outfielder Max Clark (No. 1, Pittsburgh Pirates), LSU outfielder Dylan Crews (No. 2, Washington Nationals), Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford (No. 3, Detroit Tigers), South Brunswick High (Southport, N.C). outfielder Walker Jenkins (No. 4, Texas Rangers) and LSU pitcher Paul Skenes (No. 5, Minnesota Twins).

The Cubs’ last five first-round pick included right-handed pitcher Cade Horton (No. 7 overall, 2022), left-handed pitcher Jordan Wicks (No. 21 overall, 2021), shortstop Ed Howard (No. 16 overall, 2020), right-handed pitcher Ryan Jensen (No. 24 overall, 2019) and shortstop Nico Hoerner (No. 24 overall, 2018). 

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