Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Cubs Wrap Up Pitcher-Heavy 2023 MLB Draft
The Chicago Cubs opened its draft by taking Maryland infielder Matt Shaw, one of their 20 selections in the 2023 MLB Draft, which wrapped up on Tuesday.
The Cubs did not have a second-round selection, giving that up to sign shortstop Dansby Swanson in free agency. However, the Cubs also received a compensatory pick between the second and third rounds.
That compensatory pick turned out to be a college pitcher, Jaxon Wiggins out of Arkansas. Wiggins was one of eight pitchers the Cubs selected.
Shaw is considered a well-rounded college player with a history of walking more than he strikeouts for the Terrapins. He also set career highs in home runs and stolen bases in his final season with Maryland. He’s versatile enough to play shortstop or second base, meaning he would play alongside Swanson in Chicago one day as opposed to replacing the veteran.
The Cubs leaned heavily toward college players with the majority of their selections, including Florida shortstop Josh Rivera in the third round, who just wrapped up a run to the championship of the Men’s College World Series. The Cubs selected just three prep players, led by outfielder Alfonsin Rosario, taken in the sixth round out of P27 Academy in South Carolina.
The Cubs’ system is ranked No. 12 by MLB.com. The Cubs have an $8.962 million signing bonus pool for their 2023 draft picks.
Chicago Cubs 2023 MLB Draft Selections
Compensation picks: Jaxon Wiggins, P, Arkansas
Third round: Josh Rivera, SS, Florida
Fourth round: Will Sanders, P, South Carolina
Fifth round: Michael Carico, C, Davidson
Sixth round: Alfonsin Rosario, OF, P27 Academy (SC)
Seventh round: Yahil Melendez, SS, B You Academy (PR)
Eighth round: Brett Bateman, OF, Cubs
Ninth round: Jonathon Long, 1B, Long Beach State
10th round: Luis Martinez-Gomez, P, Temple College
11th round: Zyhir Hope, OF, Colonial Forge HS (VA)
12th round: Carter Trice, 2B, NC State
13th round: Sam Armstrong, P, Old Dominion
14th round: Grayson Moore, P, Vanderbilt
15th round: Ty Johnson, P, Ball State
16th round: Daniel Brown, P, Campbell
17th round: Ethan Flanagan, P, UCLA
18th round: Brian Kalmer, 3B, Gonzaga
19th round: Nick Dean, P, Maryland
20th round: Drew Bowser, 3B, Stanford
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