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  • Cubs Draft Coverage

    2023 MLB Draft Day 2 Thread


    Jeremy Nygaard

    The Cubs added two players on Sunday night and will add eight more on Monday. This article will be updated with each Cubs pick, so check back often.

    Image courtesy of Ron Schloerb/Cape Cod Times-USA TODAY NETWORK

    Cubs Video

    Today's portion of the draft, which will include rounds 3 through 10, will begin at 1 p.m. CT.

    Keep up to date with the Cubs Draft Tracker

    A quick recap from yesterday:

    1 (13) - Matt Shaw, SS, Maryland
    21 years old. 5-11, 185.
    Draft Article / Draft Tracker 

    2C (68) - Jaxon Wiggins, RHP, Arkansas
    21 years old. 6-6, 225. 
    Draft Article / Draft Tracker 


    3 (81) - Josh Rivera, SS, Florida
    22 years old. 6-2, 215. 
    Draft Tracker 

    Rivera was a key contributor in Florida's College World Series run in 2023, with solid tools across the board helping him move steadily up Draft boards this spring. Rivera's college production in his first two seasons was impacted by the pandemic and injury. In 2023 he's been a able to show what he can do. Rivera has a strong, selective approach at the plate that has led to a higher walk rate 18 BB%, than strikeout rate 14 K%. He hit .348/.447/.617 in 2023 with 19 home runs. Defensively, while not the quickest, Rivera has good defensive actions that give him a good chance to stick at shortstop.  Rivera does everything pretty well and should be a top 100 pick in July. - JD Cameron

    Draft slot: $872,400

    4 (113) - Will Sanders, RHP, South Carolina
    21 years old. 6-6, 230. 
    Draft Tracker 

    Sanders is a big-bodied righty whose frame, solid platform of stuff, and projectability outweigh his relatively poor 2023 production. Sanders features a four pitch mix in which all of them may be above average with no one outstanding offering, but plenty of clay to mold. His fastball sits 93-96 mph with good carry. Despite Sanders' size and good extension, he struggled to get whiffs on his fastball and this development will be key to unlocking his potential as a pro. For secondaries, he relies most on his slider but also features a changeup with good fade, both solid offerings. Sanders has some projection left, unlocking a better fastball will be a key next step. - JD Cameron

    Draft slot: $591,800

    5 (149) - Michael Carico, C, Davidson
    20 years old. 6-0, 190.
    Draft Tracker

    Carico has one of the most intriguing bats of any catcher in the 2023 class. A broken wrist put a huge dent in his 2023 season after just 9 games, but his numbers for Davidson in 2022 were ridiculous. In 54 games, he batted .456/.559/.843 with 21 home runs, 17 K% and 23 BB%, sheesh. In limited 2023 action he's hitting .352/.551/.690 with 6 HR. Carico has an uppercut type swing from the left side that produces fly balls to all fields, and the bat speed and raw power to hit for plenty of power at the next level. The question with Carico's offensive profile is if he can translate it to tougher competition and better velocity. Defensively, he should stick at catcher. He's an above average defender with a solid arm, but his receiving skills could use refinement. The hit tool will be average but Carico could be a great pickup for an organization that can take advantage of his raw power and great approach at the plate. - JD Cameron

    Draft slot: $416,900

    6 (176) - Alfonsin Rosario, OF, P27 Academy (SC)
    18 years old. 6-5, 210.
    Draft Tracker  

    Originally from the Dominican Republic, Rosario transferred to the P27 Academy in Lexington, S.C. for the 2023 season. That’s the same program that produced Dodgers sixth-round righthander Logan Wagner in 2022. Rosario is a 6-foot-2, 215-pound righthanded hitter with plenty of physicality and tools, including one of the best arms in the class. He registered an outfield throw of 101 mph at Perfect Game’s National Showcase in 2022, and also has solid running ability and big raw power. That raw power comes with an offensive approach and swing that needs to be refined and simplified, as Rosario features plenty of moving parts with both his hands and a large leg kick. He does have good bat speed and twitchy hands, but he’s often overly pull-happy and will aggressively expand the zone and swing-and-miss with enough frequency to raise questions about the overall quality of his hit tool. Rosario has exciting upside, but might be better off proving his hitting chops with Chipola (Fla.) JC next year, and he could be an interesting option for the re-implemented draft-and-follow system because of that. - Baseball America

    Draft slot: $325,600

    7 (206) - Yahil Melendez, SS, B You Academy (PR)
    17 years old. 6-3, 165.
    Draft Tracker  

    Draft slot: $254,500

    8 (236) - Brett Bateman, OF, Minnesota
    21 years old. 5-10, 170.
    Draft Tracker  

    A 5-foot-10, 170-pound outfielder, Bateman led Minnesota in average, on-base percentage and steals in 2023 and slashed .354/.450/.407 in a career year that featured 10 doubles, 17 stolen bases and strong plate discipline, with a 9% strikeout rate and 13.9% walk rate. Contact is the name of the game with Bateman, who has never hit a single home run with Minnesota and employs a simple and direct line drive swing with excellent bat-tot-ball skills. He made contact at an elite, 89% rate this spring and against pitches within the strike zone that jumped to 94%. As evidenced by his home run totals in college and his small frame, Bateman doesn’t have much in the way of power and has to rely on stretching softly hit singles into doubles in order to create any extra-base hits. He is a good defender in the outfield as a plus runner who should be able to play all three outfield positions, but does a nice job in center and should stick there at the next level. Bateman went 17-for-21 (80.1%) in stolen bases this spring and should be a consistent threat to steal in pro ball. He was also the best hitter in the early weeks of the Cape Cod League after the season, and hit .500/.519/.587 with Cotuit in his first 13 games. His contact ability, defense and speed could make him a top-10 round pick. - Baseball America

    Draft slot: $203,600

    9 (266) - Jonathon Long, 1B, Long Beach State
    21 years old. 6-0, 210.
    Draft Tracker  

    A three-year starter and consistent offensive performer for Long Beach State, Long had a career-year in 2023 when he slashed .310/.402/.597 and hit 15 home runs and 17 doubles with a 17.2% strikeout rate and 11.4% walk rate. Long earned second team All-Big West honors for his season, which was significantly more powerful than his 2021 and 2022 campaigns. A 6-foot, 210-pound first baseman, Long has a slightly closed off setup with quick hands and a fairly direct path to the ball. He hits the ball hard and managed a 92 mph average exit velocity this spring, with home run power to both gaps. Long’s uptick in game power this spring is important for his profile at the next level, as he’s a below-average runner and likely limited to first base. He’s always hit for average and gotten on base at a strong clip, though Long did struggle in 40 games in the Cape Cod League in 2022, when he slashed .210/.320/.381 with 41 strikeouts and 14 walks. His performance this spring could make him a late day two draft target. - Baseball America

    Draft slot: $179,400

    10 (296) - Luis Martinez-Gomez, RHP, Tempe College (TX)
    20 years old. 6-2, 175.
    Draft Tracker  

    Draft slot: $168,300


    In the meantime, what did you think about what happened Sunday night? What are you looking forward to on Monday?


    Check out our 2026 mock draft board, updated regularly, and with detailed player write-ups!

    View The Mock Draft Board

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    Featured Comments

    Hrubes20

    Posted

    Whoa. Now there’s the tooled up lotto ticket.

    CaliforniaRaisin

    Posted

    6th rounder: OF Alfonsin Rosario, P27 Academy (SC)

    There's where your savings is going

    Tryptamine

    Posted

    I know absolutely nothing other than he was #318 on prospects live list.

    CaliforniaRaisin

    Posted

    BA had him 241. Prospects Live 318. BA:

    Quote

    Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R

     
    School: P27 Academy, Lexington, S.C. Source: HS

    Commit/Drafted: Chipola (Fla.) JC 
    Age At Draft: 19.1 


    Originally from the Dominican Republic, Rosario transferred to the P27 Academy in Lexington, S.C. for the 2023 season. That’s the same program that produced Dodgers sixth-round righthander Logan Wagner in 2022. Rosario is a 6-foot-2, 215-pound righthanded hitter with plenty of physicality and tools, including one of the best arms in the class. He registered an outfield throw of 101 mph at Perfect Game’s National Showcase in 2022, and also has solid running ability and big raw power. That raw power comes with an offensive approach and swing that needs to be refined and simplified, as Rosario features plenty of moving parts with both his hands and a large leg kick. He does have good bat speed and twitchy hands, but he’s often overly pull-happy and will aggressively expand the zone and swing-and-miss with enough frequency to raise questions about the overall quality of his hit tool. Rosario has exciting upside, but might be better off proving his hitting chops with Chipola (Fla.) JC next year, and he could be an interesting option for the re-implemented draft-and-follow system because of that.

     

    Hrubes20

    Posted

    He’s a prototype RF prepster. Huge power potential. Huge arm (clocked at 101 by PG). Good athleticism. Assuming he has swing and miss issues but have nothing concrete on that.

    CaliforniaRaisin

    Posted

    Really surprised at the high upside preps the Brewers are taking today. Didn't think anyone had enough pool space to do Bitonti and Pratt (and they picked Knoth yesterday).

    Tryptamine

    Posted

    I'm actually kind of liking this draft. They went pretty safe on the 1st round pick, but they've chased upside on the rest of them. 

    Outshined_One

    Posted

    Draft and follow is back?  I can't remember seeing anything about it.

    Anyone got an article laying it out?  I'm kind of curious to see what they changed (if anything).

    CaliforniaRaisin

    Posted

    1 minute ago, Outshined_One said:

    Draft and follow is back?  I can't remember seeing anything about it.

    Anyone got an article laying it out?  I'm kind of curious to see what they changed (if anything).

    Back with the new CBA. Last year's draft was the first one with it back and only the Red Sox signed one.

    Tryptamine

    Posted

    Gasparino is still there for the taking, but I don't think they money is there anymore. 

    Tryptamine

    Posted

    Good god, look at the size of him

     

     

    CaliforniaRaisin

    Posted

    4 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

    Gasparino is still there for the taking, but I don't think they money is there anymore. 

    Son of the Dodgers scouting director which made it seem like he probably had a huge bonus number.

    Cam Johnson likely going to LSU is a bit surprising but it is LSU.

    Outshined_One

    Posted

    1 minute ago, CaliforniaRaisin said:

    Son of the Dodgers scouting director which made it seem like he probably had a huge bonus number.

    Cam Johnson likely going to LSU is a bit surprising but it is LSU.

    Johnson also had forearm/elbow issues towards the end of the season.  I wouldn't be surprised if his medicals and asking price sealed his fate.

    craig

    Posted

    Quote

    The draft-and-follow rule returns.... Any bonus amount over $225,000 will count toward teams' bonus pools. ...

    Which bonus pool? 

    From the previous-summer draft?  Or would that count against the upcoming draft?  

    Outshined_One

    Posted

    SS Yahil Melendez, B You Academy (PR)

    Again, got nothing.

    CaliforniaRaisin

    Posted

    1 minute ago, TomtheBombadil said:

    A 2023 draft and follow would count against the 2023 cap 

    To clarify, a 2023 draft and follow would sign by ~June 30, 2024 and anything over $225k would count to the 2023 pool.

    • Like 1
    Outshined_One

    Posted

    The White Sox just popped Wolkow.

    Boo.

    Tryptamine

    Posted

    They're all in on chasing upside. I can't recall a Cub draft like this.

    UMFan83

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Outshined_One said:

    Eric Karros has two sons who went to UCLA and have now been drafted.

    I'll say it before, and I'll say it again. I am old.

    I don't want to hear from Eric Karros until he releases the video he took of the 2003 Cubs.  That would be so much fun to watch.

    Outshined_One

    Posted

    19 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

    They're all in on chasing upside. I can't recall a Cub draft like this.

    Maybe 2011?

    Baez and Vogelbach were the headliners. but Gretzky, Maples, and Dunston were all big swings.

    Hrubes20

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, Outshined_One said:

    OF Brett Bateman, UMinnesota

    They must have drafted this guy to make Madrigal feel good about his power.  Career ISO of .054 in the Big 10.  😄

    Tim

    Posted

    Just now, jersey cubs fan said:

    Scouting is so dumb

    A95183B1-72D3-4DD0-A329-BC30E5F1EFD2.jpeg

    lol

    jersey cubs fan

    Posted

    13 minutes ago, Outshined_One said:

    OF Brett Bateman, UMinnesota

     

    10 minutes ago, Hrubes20 said:

    They must have drafted this guy to make Madrigal feel good about his power.  Career ISO of .054 in the Big 10.  😄

     

    4A103D79-1383-4BB8-8974-776AA887359D.gif

    • Like 1



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