Chicago Cubs 2025 MLB Draft Rounds 6-10 Recap: High School Power and More College Pitchers

On Day One of the 2025 MLB Draft, the Chicago Cubs selected three players: outfielders Ethan Conrad and Kane Kepley, and pitcher Dominick Reid. There was an obvious theme there: all three are polished college players with the potential to rise through the system quickly, and they should all sign for under-slot signing bonuses.

As you might expect, the Cubs took advantage of those bonus pool savings early on Day Two, drafting Kaleb Wing and Kade Snell in the fourth and fifth round, respectively. You can find our write-ups of Wing and Snell here, and in the rumors and notes section of the site.

In the "middle" rounds of the second day of the draft, the Cubs opted to go for a high-upside high school hitter before turning their attention back to the college ranks. You can find analyses of each of their five picks from Rounds 6-10 below. And, as a reminder, you can find the full list of Cubs picks, signing status, and bios right here on our Cubs draft tracker.

Round 6, Pick 181: Josiah Hartshorn, OF (Orange Lutheran HS)

From our in-house draft expert, Jamie Cameron:

"Hartshorn is a prep outfield prospect out of Southern California currently committed to Texas A&M. It's a profile buoyed by a solid hit/power combo. Hartshorn is a switch hitter who has been limited to long stretches of hitting exclusively left-handed or right-handed due to various nagging injuries to his back and elbow.

The right-handed swing is currently more polished, and Hartshorn could end up with an above average hit and power combo if his development goes well. There's a good arm here too (he's been up to 94 mph on the mound) with the run and field tools grading out as solid average, too."

Overall, this is one of the highest-upside swings we've seen the Cubs take in quite some time in the draft, as he's got prodigious power for a young kid with a history of injury issues. They'll have to pry him out of his commitment to Texas A&M, but that's what those early-round slot savings are for.

Round 7, Pick 211: Pierce Coppola, LHP (Florida)

The Cubs have effectively decided that their Moneyball tactic is going to be having the best medical scouting department in the world, apparently.

Another big talent who fell due to injury issues — he made just one start in his first two collegiate seasons due to back and leg injuries — Coppola posted an 8.75 ERA in eight starts (23 2/3 innings) in 2024. He shook the rust off this year, though, authoring a 2.53 ERA in seven starts (21 1/3 innings). He did miss two months with an undisclosed upper-body injury.

Ultimately, this is just a bet on their ability to evaluate medical records. He threw less than 50 innings in college. As a 6'8" lefty, they may be thinking they can turn him into their next Luke Little.

Round 8, Pick 241: Jake Knapp, RHP (UNC)

Don't say Jed Hoyer doesn't have a type. Another big (6'5") starter with a serious injury history (he underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2024 season), Knapp won National Pitcher of the Year this season at UNC.

A consensus All-American in 2025, Knapp logged a 14-0 record, as North Carolina won each of his 15 starts. He posted a 2.02 ERA (fourth-best in the country) in 102 1/3 frames. He also struck out 88 hitters while allowing just 16 walks, showing an unusual amount of polish for a college pitcher with a Tommy John surgery on his résumé.

One more fun tidbit from this pick: he'll join Tar Heels teammate Kane Kepley (second-round pick) in the Cubs organization, assuming both players sign.

Round 9, Pick 271: Colton Book, LHP (Saint Joseph's)

Oh wow, another big college lefty (6'4") who thrived in his final collegiate season after earlier struggles? Color me shocked.

In all seriousness, Book converted to being a full-time starter at Saint Joseph's this year after bouncing between the rotation and bullpen earlier in his college career. In a career-high 86 2/3 innings, he posted a 3.53 ERA and huge 35% strikeout rate, all while walking just 20 batters.

He really did struggle prior to 2025, though, allowing 59 earned runs in 76 innings at Stony Brook. This is a bet on a projectable, big frame with rapidly improving talent, and the Cubs' recent history with getting the most out of college pitchers should have fans more excited than nervous with Book.

Round 10, Pick 301: Justin Stransky, C (Fresno State)

After nine rounds of nothing but pitchers and outfielders, the Chicago Cubs have made the daring decision to draft... a catcher.

Stransky played 91 games at the position in college, with all nine of his other appearances coming at designated hitter. In those 100 games at Fresno State, he slashed .312/.400/.501 with 15 home runs, 12 of which came during the 2015 season. As a pure catching prospect and semifinalist for the Buster Posey Award (best D1 catcher in the country), he's got a pretty well-rounded offensive profile, walking 41 times compared to just 32 strikeouts with Fresno State.

He's got limited upside, but it's hard not to like a strong glove behind the plate with a good eye and history of offensive success. As 10th-round picks go, he's a solid one.

What do you think of the Cubs' first batch of selections from Day Two of the 2025 MLB Draft? Let us know in the comments!