Chicago Cubs: Team goes heavy on pitching in Day 2 draft picks

The Chicago Cubs have gone heavy on relief pitchers through the first four rounds of this draft. Let’s see what direction they went in rounds 5-7.

Round 5, 162nd overall: Josh Burgmann, RHP (Washington)

Pitchers who have already had Tommy John surgery. That appears to be the theme for the Chicago Cubs through five round of the draft. Burgmann is a draft eligible sophomore after having the elbow injury in his first year on campus. He came back in 2018 and made 16 appearances (1 start) tossing 31.0 innings with 21 strikeouts with 13 walks but allowed opponents to bat 0.301 against him.

This past season, Burgmann became a full-time starter, tossing 79.0 innings while striking out 101 batters to just 22 walks. Opponents batted 0.278 off him this year and he finished with a 4-6 record in 14 starts.

"Scouts praise his strike-throwing ability—he almost throws too many, as Burgmann doesn’t like to waste pitches and will frequently give hitters too many hittable offerings inside the zone. His fastball sits in the low 90s but touches 95 mph, and both his slider and curveball are above-average offerings. He also has a solid fourth-pitch changeup. Listed at 6 feet, 205 pounds, Burgmann has a strong, stocky build without much room for further projection, but he has a solid trio of pitches and good strike-throwing to match. – BaseballAmerica"

Round 6, 192nd overall: Ethan Hearn, C (Mobile Christian High School)

Hearn is considered to be the best high school catching prospect in this draft. He has a commitment to Mississippi State in the fall so it will be interesting to see if he signs or not. The fact that he bats left-handed is a plus for him and shows some good pop in said bat.

Scouts love his arm strength and line drive contact:

"Solid athletic build with good present strength. Has quick feet behind the plate, 7.09 runner, very good arm strength, 1.80 with game actions in drills, blocking skills developing but has all the tools to be a front line catcher. Left handed hitter, hits from a spread and open stance, big hand load, has some strength in his swing especially when pulling the ball, line drive contact. – PerfectGame"

Round 7, 222nd overall: Brad Deppermann, RHP (North Florida)

Brad Deppermann quietly had a terrific 2019 sason. The senior from the University of North Florida got better each year of his collegiate career with a 6-5 record in 15 starts which included 2 complete games. In all, he threw 95.0 innings with 108 strikeouts to just 24 walks and allowed opponents to bat just 0.217 off him.

He stands at just 6-0, 190 pounds but was named the Atlantic Sun Conference pitcher of the year and was a unanimous ASUN first-team all-conference playe this season. Deppermann was actually drafted by the Cubs in the 31st round of the 2014 draft but the team never signed him. Now they have him again.

"Depperman has maintained 89-92 mph velocity all spring, touching 94 with late life from an easy delivery, though his fastball can be somewhat flat because of a lack of plane. He has multiple breaking balls, a slider that can touch 85 mph and a mid-70s curveball, with his slider flashing above-average. He also mixes in a changeup and is a strike-thrower with the potential for average control. – BaseballAmerica"