Chicago Cubs 2020 MLB Draft: Day 2 achieved team’s goal

After taking the top high school shortstop on day one, the Chicago Cubs focused on urgent needs on day two

On day one of an abbreviated MLB Draft, the Chicago Cubs added to their middle infield depth, taking shortstop Ed Howard from nearby Mount Caramel High School with the 16th overall pick. Howard is such a cool story because he’s local, and he also played for the Jackie Robinson West Little League team.

As noted, Howard now joins Nico Hoerner, Chase Strumpf, Aramis Ademan, and soon-to-be international free agent signing, Christian Hernandez as one of the most talented middle infield groups in all of baseball.

Shifting the focus to day two, we discussed that the Cubs needed to address the pitching and outfield situations, and they wasted no time. With their second-round pick, the north siders selected Burl Carraway, a reliever from Dallas Baptist University. The Cubs went heavy on relievers early on in the draft last year, but they really lack quality bullpen guys right now, especially lefties.

Carraway made 28 appearances last year and struck out 72 batters in 41.2 innings while also collecting six saves. Before the season was canceled, he made eight appearances, striking out 17 in just 9.1 innings of work. Watch for the 21-year-old to move quickly through the minors, potentially being added to the taxi squad of rosters, if and when there is a season.

The Chicago Cubs tabbed Michigan’s Jordan Nwogu as their outfielder of future with the third-round pick.

With just two outfielders in their top-25 prospects, the Cubs addressed a big need on Thursday, taking Michigan’s Jordan Nwogu. The Ann Arbor kid stayed home to attend one of the most respected baseball programs in the country. As a true freshman, Nwogu posted a .349/.442/.571 slash line with eight doubles, one triple, six home runs, and 29 RBI while also swiping 11 bases.

His plate discipline needed some fine-tuning, but he addressed that in a breakout sophomore campaign. In 2019, Nwogu posted a .992 OPS with 14 doubles, four triples, 12 home runs, and 46 RBI with 16 stolen bases and a 44-to-51 walk-to-strikeout ratio. He was on a similar path this year through 15 games before the shutdown.

Here’s what Baseball America had to say about the Michigan product:

"Nwogu earned a starting role midway through his freshman season and has been Michigan’s leadoff hitter for the past two years. Nwogu still looks like a football player (6-foot-3, 225 pounds) and he has plus-plus raw power and plus speed. Scouts are not all that excited about his funky swing—he gets good weight transfer and has plenty of bat speed, but it’s a very top-hand heavy swing"

Let’s see if the Cubs will tinker with his swing or leave it alone.

I’m sorry, how hard does Luke Little throw?

105 mph. Not bad for a fourth-round pick. Luke Little is a big dude, standing at 6-foot-8, 240 pounds. He’s a draft-eligible sophomore who played his collegiate baseball at San Jacinto Junior College and has a verbal commitment to South Carolina in fall. He had a breakout campaign in 2019, making 17 appearances – including six starts – while striking out 69 batters in 35.1 innings (17.6 K/9). He posted a 2.04 ERA during that span, but he’ll need to fix his command a bit, as he allowed 36 walks as well.

What to look for in Koen Moreno

I guess first and foremost is will Moreno sign? He has already signed his letter of intent with East Carolina, and he’s definitely at the underslot here with a slot bonus pool of just $367,900. At age 18, he reportedly already throws 94 MPH, which should only increase as he continues to fill out his 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame.

Ranked as the 128th best prospect, according to Baseball America, scouts love that he has the natural ability to put spin on the ball. His fastball is his bread and butter pitch right now, but he complements it with an average curveball and changeup.

He could be a tough sign away from East Carolina, where many scouts believe he could end up being taken within the top three rounds, especially once the draft expands to 40 rounds again.