Chicago Cubs stole Chase Strumpf at no. 64 overall

The Chicago Cubs bolstered their middle infield prospects by taking UCLA’s Chase Strumpf in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft.

The Chicago Cubs got great value when they selected UCLA’s Chase Strumpf in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft last night. He was ranked as the 41st best prospect in the draft according to MLB Pipeline and the Cubs were able to get him with the 64th overall pick.

One thing is for sure. Strumpf can hit. In his three seasons at UCLA he smacked 26 home runs to go along with 121 RBI’s. He had his best season as a sophomore on campus when he slashed 0.363/0.475/0.633 in 58 games. In that season, he struck out 53 times but also took 45 walks.

This past season was a disappointment if you are going to compare it to his sophomore year, but he still slashed 0.280/0.419/0.454 with similar strikeout and walk numbers. Scouts consider him to be an offensive minded 2B as his bat does most of the talking.

"Strumpf is an offensive-minded infielder who can make the routine plays at second base but struggles to make the difficult ones. He has below-average range and arm strength that flashes average but is usually fringy. His offensive tools are strong enough for evaluators to project him as an everyday second baseman even with his defensive shortcomings. – BaseballAmerica"

He was reportedly in the on-deck circle last night in the NCAA Los Angeles Regional when the Cubs drafted him and moments later he followed with this:

Some think he could be a corner outfielder but lacks the arm strength to do so. It looks like for now, he will remain at his natural position. The Cubs top prospect is a middle infielder in Nico Hoerner, but beyond that they were thin with middle infielders. This pick makes a ton of sense and a good one at that.

Many believe that the Cubs reached in the first round when they took Fresno State right-handed pitcher Ryan Jensen, but they were able to wait on Strumpf. So think of it as two first-round picks so far.