Chicago Cubs: 5 Round 2019 MLB Mock Draft
By Ryan Sikes
The Chicago Cubs went with another outfield in the third round of last year’s draft in Jimmy Herron. Who will it be this year?
The Chicago Cubs selected outfielder Jimmy Herron in the third round of the 2018 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. He slashed 0.259/0.361/0.381 between both Single-A South Bend and the Arizona Fall League last year. In 42 games, Herron hit four home-runs and knocked in 19 runs.
Herron began the 2019 season with High-A Myrtle Beach and is off to a slow start, slashing just 0.215/0.322/0.380. He has hit two home-runs and 15 runs-batted-in this year and is averaging about a 1:1 strikeout to walk ratio.
PICK IS IN
103
Tanner Morris RF
(Ryan Sikes)
Tanner Morris is a draft eligibile sophomore from the University of Virigina. He has played both the outfield and the infield so his versatility would be valuable for the Cubs. In two seasons at Virginia, Morris slashed 0.298/0.397/0.374 in 2018 and 0.352/0.463/0.531 this past season. He smacked seven home-runs and knocked in 57 runs during that time as well.
Scouts are big on Morris’ bat developing but think he ultimately be better suited for third base or a corner outfield position. He has walked more times than he has struck in both seasons and has hit well in the 2018 Cape Cod league hitting 0.331 with two home-runs and 20 runs-batted-in in just 35 games.
"Morris has one of the more complete hitting approaches in the class dating back to his days as a high schooler, when he showed impressive barrel control and a contact-oriented look at the plate. In his two years at Virginia he’s hit for high averages, but has filled out more and started to tap into more extra-base power during the 2019 season. Morris’ swing is naturally suited to wearing out the left-center gap and going to the opposite field, though at times he’s gotten a bit pull happy as he’s tried to hit for more power. – via BaseballAmerica"
103
Edouard Julien LF
(Vinnie Parise)
If Kyle Schwarber isn’t the long term plan for the Cubs in left field, then drafting Edouard Julien might be the play for the long term. Schwarber’s bat might be something worth keeping over time but his play in left field isn’t perfect, although it has gotten better. Schwarber might also be the center of a trade with an American League team looking for a designated hitter, so drafting a good young left fielder might be in the Cubs best interest.
His sophomore season isn’t going as well as his freshman season did, but he is still the type of prospect that you can develop and expect more of his freshman numbers one day. He hit .275 in that freshman year and had 17 home runs and 69 RBIs. His power numbers are very good and his average can only be improved. His OPS is at an impressive .954 as well. If they are looking to add a guy who can play the outfield and the infield, then this is their guy. Obviously, the MLB draft is all about the future and this guy is the type of project the Cubs have been good at in recent years.