Chicago Cubs: 5 Round 2019 MLB Mock Draft
By Ryan Sikes
The Chicago Cubs grabbed speedy outfielder Brennen Davis in the second round of last year’s draft.
The Chicago Cubs drafted in a similar slot position last season, grabbing University of Miami commit Brennen Davis 62nd overall. The former basketball recruit shifted his attention to baseball in the junior year of high school. Naturally he is a tall guy, standing at 6′-4″ but weighed just 175 pounds at the time of the draft.
He has reportedly added 20 pounds to his frame working with the Cubs strength and conditioning group. Davis has revamped his swing this past offseason as well and scouts have noticed that he appears to be stronger this year. He has yet to report to any Cubs affiliate as he’s been working on said swing in extended spring training, but could join one of them soon.
PICK IS IN
64
Ryan Jensen RHP
(Ryan Sikes)
The Cubs take hard throwing Ryan Jensen with the 64th overall pick and keep adding pitchers to the their farm system. He reportedly throws his fastball near 100 mph, but tends to sit regularly in the mid-90’s. The junior fireballer stands at 6′-0″ and 180 pounds. He is 8-1 this season, tossing 69.1 innings with 74 strikeouts and 22 walks to the tune of a 3.64 ERA (via D1 Baseball).
Scouts really like his ability to be a “stopper”. Similar to Jon Lester, you know he’s going to give the team a really good chance for a win when he pitches.
"A fastball that only goes really fast or faster. A changeup that makes swingers fall down in the act. And, a head that now stays cool when the situation begs for dismay. – via FresnoBee"
64
Ryne Nelson RHP
(Vinnie Parise)
The Cubs have some nice pieces in place for their starting rotation. They have Jon Lester, Jose Quintana, Kyle Hendricks, Cole Hamels, and Yu Darvish. This is a good rotation in the present. One or more of those guys might not be there in the not so distant future. Rotations change all the time in Major League Baseball so the Cubs will be looking for potential replacements to develop in their system. Ryne Nelson might be the perfect option for the Cubs in the second round of the 2019 Draft.
Nelson is a right-handed pitcher out of the University of Oregon. In 4 starts so far in 2019, he has a record of 3-4. He has 102 strikeouts on the season and an ERA of 4.24. If he never is able to develop into an MLB caliber starter the Cubs would welcome a good young bullpen arm. They are not very strong in that department as we stand right now and could use all the potential help they can get in the present and future.