5 Options for Cubs With 54th Pick in 2024 MLB Draft: A Most Outstanding Choice?

[Jamie Cameron]

The Cubs don't have the luxury of a surfeit of picks or draft capital in July. Let's look at some intriguing options for their second pick, at 54th overall.

Image courtesy of © Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

We’re only a couple of weeks out from the 2024 MLB Draft, so we’re going to highlight some potential targets for the Cubs with the 54th overall pick.

This is obviously not meant to be a predictive exercise. I think it can be useful in mining the caliber and scope of talent that might be available at that pick. Given the lack of picks and financial flexibility the Cubs have (like any other large-market team), it will be challenging for them to be especially creative with their bonus pool during the draft.

Dylan Dreiling, OF, Tennessee (59)
Dreiling is a left-handed hitting draft-eligible sophomore from the University of Tennessee, who is steadily rising up boards after an offensive breakout thus far in 2024.

Dreiling previously didn't display much of a carrying tool, but it's easy to see a well-rounded hitter with potential for above-average hit and power tools now. As of early April, he had career highs in home runs, doubles, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage. His exceptional barrel control allows him to use the entire field well.

Dreiling has good on-base skills to add to the appeal. He draws plenty of walks and doesn't strike out much. Dreiling has above-average speed, too, and is a solid base runner. The knock right now would be a fringy arm, which likely limits his defensive versatility to left field.

Through Super Regionals, Dreiling batted .320/.445/.689 with 20 home runs (40 XBH), 49 walks, and 56 strikeouts through 65 games. Then he capped things off by winning Most Outstanding Player at the College World Series, as the Volunteers won the NCAA championship, He's simply a well-rounded offensive profile with the college production to back it up, who has continued to improve in his time in Knoxville.

Gage Jump, LHP, LSU (64)
Gage Jump is a left-handed pitcher who followed the lead of former UCLA teammate Thatcher Hurd in transferring from UCLA to LSU. After battling persistent injuries in his freshman season with the Bruins, Jump eventually lost his entire 2023 season to Tommy John surgery.

He had plenty of interest as a high-schooler, thanks to a strong three-pitch mix that goes some way into allaying concerns about an undersized frame for a starter.

Jump throws a four-seam fastball in the 92-95 mph range. The pitch has good induced vertical break and plays well at the top of the zone. It's paired with a plus, downer curveball which sits in the high 70s to low 80s and drops off the table. The two pitches tunnel well together. Jump has also thrown an above-average slider with more lateral movement, and shows feel for a changeup, but both of those pitches project to be more like average.

Jump has put on some good weight since transitioning to LSU, and has solid-average control overall. It's two above-average-to-plus pitches and two more that are average, a really solid arsenal for a left-handed starting pitcher, though the frame adds reliever risk to the profile.

Jump finished 2024 with a 3.47 ERA, 101 strikeouts and 22 walks in 83 innings. He posted, and posted effectively, every week. That's going to count for a lot.

Ryan Prager, LHP, Texas A&M (68)
Prager had plenty of interest as a high-schooler in 2021, before getting to campus at Texas A&M. He had TJ surgery his freshman year, sat out all of 2023, and is a draft-eligible sophomore in 2024.

Prager has an effortful delivery, with an over-the-top arm slot. He gets a ton of ride on his fastball (91-93 mph), averaging north of 20 inches of IVB, likely to induce plenty of whiffs when he can command it more consistently at the top of the zone. Prager also has an above-average slider that replaced his curveball from high school and has been an effective pitch, in addition to a changeup with plenty of horizontal movement.

Prager has taken strides forward this season--specifically throwing a lot more strikes, which has led to strong production throughout the 2024 season. Through Super Regionals, Prager had a 3.10 ERA, struck out 114 hitters, and walked 19 in 87 inning pitched.

Coming into the season, there were some questions about whether Prager profiled as a starter or reliever. He has answered those (for now) with an extremely impressive 2024 season as the Aggies' Friday night starter.

Chase Harlan, 3B, Central Bucks East HS, PA (88)
Harlan is one of the best position-player prospects out of Pennsylvania in the 2024 class. The Clemson commit has a ton of raw power in a third-base/corner-outfield profile.

At the plate, it's a direct swing from the right side of the plate, with lots of bat speed. Harlan already produces plenty of loft in his swing, and there's a chance for above-average power, maybe more.

Everything else in Harlan's profile is solid, not spectacular. He has a strong arm, certainly good enough for third base, but can be a little mechanical defensively and may end up in a corner outfield spot. Solid run times and an average glove should give him a defensive home where he can be solid and let his bat do the talking.

Hunter Carns, C, First Coast HS, FL (111)
Florida State commit Hunter Carns is one of the best athletes in the prep class, with an explosive offensive profile. He also happens to play catcher, making him a particularly intriguing prospect ahead of the draft.

In the box, Carns sets up with a crouched, open stance. A small step forward gets a smooth, quiet load going. Carns combines great rotation and outstanding bat speed to underpin a potentially plus power tool at the plate. Most of his present power is to the pull side, but Carns is rocking some gaudy exit velocities that suggest there's more on the way. An aggressive hitter, there are some questions about the bat-to-ball skills, but Carns has excellent barrel control that should see those ironed out as he continues to develop.

Carns has plus speed (unusual for a catcher) and runs well. He has a twitchy frame, and overall, there's a more explosive athletic profile than you'd expect to find at his position. Defensively, there's plenty to like about his profile. He moves quickly and efficiently and has enough arm. While most elements of his defensive game need refinement, he easily has the athleticism to play in a corner outfield spot, or even center field. If Carns can stick at catcher, it's an unusual combination of speed and power at the position.

What player demographics would you like to see the Cubs select from with the 54th overall pick? Add your thoughts with a comment below.

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[CubinNY]

If they go under slot with the 1st pick, I'd like them to go big with this pick.