Eli Lovich, A Late-Round Cubs Pick To Watch

[Joe Sbertoli]

With baseball free agency contracts soaring across the league, finding and developing hidden gems is critical for teams that are unable or unwilling to spend big in free agency. In order to compete with organizations such as the Dodgers, Yankees, and Phillies, teams need to hit on late-round picks that have tools and physical traits that can develop over time to become MLB regulars.

One under-the-radar Cubs prospect worth keeping tabs on is 2024 11th-round draft pick (pick #332 overall), Eli Lovich. He is a 20-year-old outfield prospect with a large frame, 6’4”, 185 pounds. With Pete Crow-Armstrong manning center field for the foreseeable future, he could fit nicely in a corner outfield position due to his strong arm and above-average speed. He has the body type to add strength as he continues to mature, which would make 20 home runs per year a realistic target.

Lovich will likely require multiple years in the minors before becoming a threat to crack the majors. That timeline suits the Cubs' current situation: Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki both open the 2026 season at 31 years old, and a couple of the top outfield prospects in the organization (Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara) are closer to getting more opportunities on the field in the near future. 

Lovich appeared to be headed to the University of Arkansas before the Cubs selected him with the 332nd pick of the 2024 draft and shortly thereafter assigned him to the ACL Cubs on August 15, 2024, before being assigned to Myrtle Beach on June 10th, 2025. The stats do not jump off the page from his first 73 minor league games (.232 avg, 4 HR, 36 RBI, 18 SB), but that was to be expected for a young prospect that will need time.

That is why following his journey over the next few seasons will be very intriguing for the Cubs’ 29th-ranked prospect (according to MLB Pipeline). If things go right for Lovich, he could provide solid depth and flexibility down the road, which will be paramount for a team that could be without Kyle Tucker (free agent) and aging mainstays, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, by that time.

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[CubinNY]

If he has a good first half, he could be a good trade candidate if the Cubs are buyers. 

[Guest]

I like your writing style and am glad that someone else has made it to the community. I am intrigued by these prospects--either stock bubbles or true legends (or something in between). We don't know yet. But how did you find this community? And how are you a contributor right away?

I would like to see more of your articles in the future!

[Bertz]

Lovich is probably the most glaring example from the farm the last few years of guys who desperately missed the Northwest League.  Unlike some of his peers at Myrtle Beach the season ended before he really got a chance to show he'd mastered the level.  He had a strong showing in August but the K-rate was still elevated.

The good news is he's plenty tooled up, and even if he spends the first half of the year repeating Low A he'll be on a healthy track for his age.

[Joe Sbertoli]

Thank you for the comments!

I’m excited to a part of this community. A friend of mine writes for Twins Daily and he got me connected. I love the content and coverage of this site and I’m really enjoying the opportunity to share articles. Thank you for reading! Go Cubs!

[Guest]

35 minutes ago, Joe Sbertoli said:

Thank you for the comments!

I’m excited to a part of this community. A friend of mine writes for Twins Daily and he got me connected. I love the content and coverage of this site and I’m really enjoying the opportunity to share articles. Thank you for reading! Go Cubs!

Well, we need more people like you on here.

Even though I'm new, welcome. People here can bite, and they can be funny and annoying at times, but I've learned that they're all good people.

Keep up the good work. Next article: Tatsuya Imai gets signed by the Chicago Cubs!!!!!!

(I wish...)

[Joe Sbertoli]

33 minutes ago, The Cubs Dude said:

Well, we need more people like you on here.

Even though I'm new, welcome. People here can bite, and they can be funny and annoying at times, but I've learned that they're all good people.

Keep up the good work. Next article: Tatsuya Imai gets signed by the Chicago Cubs!!!!!!

(I wish...)

That would be great!