Eli Lovich, A Late-Round Cubs Pick To Watch

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.

Interested in learning more about the Chicago Cubs' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!