Chicago Cubs Wrap Up Pitcher-Heavy 2023 MLB Draft

The Chicago Cubs went with pitching early and often as they should to re-stock their minor-league system int he 2023 MLB Draft.

Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

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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