Chicago Cubs: 5 biggest steals on Day 3 of 2019 MLB draft

3. Zac Taylor, OF (Illinois)

Chicago Cubs fans should be really excited by this draft pick. Zac Taylor was taken in the 25th round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Illinois and there is a lot to like about this kid. Taylor originally started his collegiate career at the University of Houston, but after two seasons there, he decided a transfer was in order.

He had to sit out all of 2017 due to the transfer rules and his 2018 showed his absence as he slashed just 0.226/0.332/0.429 after slashing 0.250/0.354/0.333 in 2016. In his first season with the Fighting Illini, Taylor smacked 10 home runs, 37 RBI’s, 12 doubles, and stole 10 bases in 53 games.

Flash forward to 2019, the Downer’s Grove native slashed 0.321/0.405/0.612 with 10 home runs, 29 RBI’s, 12 doubles, and swiped 23 bases in only 43 games. He was drafted in the 36th round last year by the Minnesota Twins but never signed with the team.

His return to Champaign paid dividends as he was named All-Big Ten first team outfielder while leading his team in runs (39), total bases (101), slugging percentage (0.612), steals (23), and triples (3).

Taylor would be a terrific leadoff guy for the Cubs as that’s the role he served for the Illini while playing terrific defense in center field. He could be the leadoff man this lineup has been missing since Dexter Fowler left after the 2016 season.