News

Jun 25, 2023

NSB Draft Prep

Posted by Todd Johnson | Jun 7, 2023 | Cubs Prospects, Draft Prep, Featured

Posted by Todd Johnson | Jun 7, 2023 | Cubs Prospects, Draft Prep, Featured Post, MLB Draft, MLB Draft Prep, Mock Draft, Todd Johnson | 0 |

Welcome to my third and final mock draft of the 2023 draft season. I previously did a five round mock a couple months ago and then I did a 7 round mock last month. Today, I am doing the full Monty all the way to 10…And I’ll have one extra name to consider, what I like to call Plan B. Fellow NSB writer Greg Zumach also put out his 10 + 2 mock today and you can compare them.

This year‘s draft is going to be interesting to see which players will fall to the Cubs at 13, not which players they should pick. I’d rather see who is going to be available when it's the Cubs’ turn to pick. The reason I say that is because several teams that are in front of the Cubs are notorious for being a little cheap when it comes to paying full slot value for the draft picks. As a result, draft night could be a wild and wacky time.

For today's mock, I’m not really taking into consideration senior signs or bonus pool money, I’m just going out and getting who might be 10 of the best players available when the Cubs pick.

Let's get started!

I know, you’re shocked! This is the first time in many years where I’ve had a guy picked for the Cubs all spring long and he is still projected to be there when it's the Cubs turn to pick. Normally, I select guys who could be in the back half of the first round and they end up going in the top 10. That's just been my luck. But this year, Wilken has had a tremendous season, but the powers that be have not seen it fit to give him a top 10 ranking. He has a monster bat, a judicious eye, and some incredible bat speed to go along with that the power. He could play third base right now, he could play at first in the future. But it's really all about the bat.

Brock Wilken gets a down-and-in fastball and turns on it for his 24th home run of the year, tying Wake Forest's single-season record! pic.twitter.com/3aH1TZf4Cu

Owen has been rising steadily over the past couple of months. I feel like the Cubs taking him here would be a good bargain as he's probably not going to be available at 81. He's a big kid at 6-foot-6 and semi filled out. I really like what I’ve seen from him in video.

Vanderbilt LHP Hunter Owen is a name to write down. Spent last season in the bullpen in a multi-inning role, but in the rotation this season he's cooking. Big 6-6, 260-lb southpaw. Can grab 97 with a disgusting slider. Up to 28 K in 23 IP. Potential riser.pic.twitter.com/UgUgkyZAto

Brock is a big kid at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds. His greatest tool is he has plus raw power. I don't care about catching right now, I’m picking guys that have some loud tools today and he personifies that.

Tape measure shot (446 feet) for Julian Brock! 📺 https://t.co/AkHV3B3BaX📻 https://t.co/KVR0RGJNgu📊 https://t.co/23DSGmBxAe#GeauxCajuns ⚜️ pic.twitter.com/0BwRuR4VHq

This is the second time I’m picking the kid from just south of Springfield. I had him in my five round mock draft, and to get him here in the fourth round would be a steal. One thing Kantrovitz has shown a willingness to do has been to pull the trigger on prep pitching and this would be a good get. It would take some cash to get dissuade him from Louisville.

RHP Parker Detmers (Glenwood, 2023; Louisville signee) was dominant in a win for the Titans – 7 IP, H, R, 12 K. FB T97 in the 1st, pitched in the low-to-mid-90s throughout, T94 in the 4th, 5th, & 6th. Sharp spin on CB at 77-80 mph, CH flashed hard run at 86-88 mph to LHH. pic.twitter.com/Dvq6Q8kVfk

I also picked him in the last draft, and I am rolling with him again today. He has a high floor and seems like the kind of guy the Cubs would go after as his body is built to withstand the rigors of being a starting pitcher.

ASU Baseball: Sun Devils Use Strong Outing From Curtis To Win Series. Texas A&M transfer Khristian Curtis threw five shutout innings along with six strikeouts in his first start as a Sun Devil. @CooperHancock7 was at Phoenix Municipal Stadium and has the recap. pic.twitter.com/4ZlyRoHbOo

This was my favorite pick in the seven round mock draft. And he's also my favorite pick today because this kid is all tools. He may take a little extra to develop, but the Cubs have plenty of time. The only concern I have is if they have enough money to sign him to dissuade him from going to college.

Baseball America said of his talents:

Drake is a powerful athlete and an 80-grade runner who also has plus raw power from the left side. He’ll need to significantly refine his offensive approach and pure hitting ability to consistently tap into that power […]

Isaiah Drake can fly 💨The @GTBaseball commit swiped his first bag of the season in front of 7,500+ @TrentonThunder fans on #MLBDraftLeague Opening Night.🎙️ @Mike_WarrenPxP pic.twitter.com/J4yxsXHCKx

Maldonado is my first reliever pick in the top 10. I don't think you can go wrong with this guy.

Nick Maldonado was NAILS. 8 Ks in final 3 innings. 🔥🔥Vandy takes the series vs UCLA. pic.twitter.com/dAGsY6fBta

He is a senior (he will also turn 23 shortly after the draft) that drove in over 100 RBI at Maryland this year. While everyone was looking at Matt Shaw, this was the guy stealing the show every game.

100 RBIs and counting… there is only 𝙊𝙉𝙀 Nick LorussoLorusso continues to raise the bar, becoming the first player to reach 100 RBIs since 2003!!#RoadToOmaha | #DirtyTerps pic.twitter.com/zu6QsyIPn4

This is my first time picking Reed, who has been a stud closer for the Mountaineers.

Carlson Reed has one of the best pitches in the draft. A mid-80s sweeper that flashes 70. This one below was at 86.7 with 12" of sweep. He can land it for strikes. His heater is average at 93-98 though and lives in the dead zone. It's a supination college relief profile; Brash. pic.twitter.com/riW4ExTA8L

The Cubs are going back to the Grand Canyon well and picking lefty Zach Thornton. There's one thing the Cubs are short on and that is lefties. That may be part of his profile, but he's also good, which is why the Cubs should continue the trend of selecting someone from Grand Canyon.

LHP Zach Thornton has been stellar in his first 4 starts, pitching his way to a 1.09 ERA w/ 38 Ks (13 tonight) to just 2 walks in 24.2 IP. Super projectable, Attacks from high 3/4 slot, natural deception in his up-tempo delivery. FB up to 92, CB best secondary, adv. pitchability pic.twitter.com/Oevbk1WoUF

On day three of the draft, the Cubs could re-draft outfielder Mac Bingham, who they took in 2018. He's had a solid senior year at Arizona, and would be a definite boost to the system.

Mac Bingham goes ALL OUT for the catch! 😳📺 Pac-12 Network📱 https://t.co/7bHMYBaCI8#Pac12BSB l @ArizonaBaseball pic.twitter.com/zQwaD4uQjI

I was excited to see who Greg Zumach picked after he rolled out his mock. Go compare the two.

Share:

Rate: