They expected to be hitter-heavy on Days 1 and 2 for rounds 1-10, and then shift their focus to pitchers on Day 3 during rounds 11-20."I think we obtained the right balance based on our assessment of the talent, the draft pool, as well fulfilling whatever needs we might have in the system," Kantrovitz said Tuesday at the conclusion of the three-day draft. Kantrovitz doesn't expect any surprises, anticipating all 20 players the Cubs selected will sign.
The Cubs ultimately chose nine pitchers (six right-handers and three lefthanders), seven infielders, two outfielders and two catchers. Here are takeaways from the Cubs' 2024 draft. They went college-heavy By the time the draft ended, only three of the Cubs' 20 picks were high school players: shortstops Ronny Cruz (Miami Christian School in Florida) and Ty Southisene (Basic High School in Nevada) in the third and fourth rounds, respectively, and outfielder Eli Lovich (Blue Valley West High School in Kansas) in the 11th round.
It marked the second straight year the Cubs' draft skewed toward college players, something Kantrovitz described as not the organization's philosophy, but a challenge that comes with taking prep players because of how much they tend to cost to sign. "In certain rounds, your options are limited," Kantrovitz said. "You try to be in position to draft and sign as many high school players as possible.
You just at some point run out of room with the cap." Even with taking just three prep players, Kantrovitz expect.