Re-Grading Every Cubs First Round Pick Under Jed Hoyer
By Zoe Grossman
2019: P Ryan Jensen, 27th Overall
Grade: D
The Cubs struck out once again with this late-first-round pitching pick. Jensen was selected out of Fresno State after a junior season that saw him go 12-1 with a 2.88 ERA.
Jensen got off to a great start in High-A, compiling a 2.25 ERA in six starts, but the cancellation of minor league baseball during the COVID pandemic in 2020 derailed his progress. He posted a 4.16 ERA in 2021 while in AA and AAA. In 2022 and 2023 he pitched to a 4.25 and 5.32 ERA respectively.
In August of last year Jensen was placed on waivers by the Cubs and has since had spells in minor league ball for the Mariners and Twins.
2020: SS Ed Howard, 16th Overall
Grade: C
The selection of the Chicago kid Howard was heartwarming by the Cubs, who gave us all hope that we would see a true local take the field at Wrigley one day. Not only was Howard picked straight out of Mount Carmel High School, but he was also a member of the Jackie Robinson West Little League team that competed in the 2014 U.S. Championship game.
Howard got off to an underwhelming start in A-level ball in 2021, slashing .225/.277/.315 with a .592 OPS. Two separate injuries since have hampered the 22-year-old, who has yet to find himself in the Cubs' Top 30 Prospects list. He hasn't progressed past High-A yet but has put up improved numbers in 2024.
It's also worth mentioning that the Cubs missed out on Jordan Westburg in the 2020 draft, who was selected 30th overall by the Orioles and has had a great 2024, hitting .281 with a .837 OPS. Perhaps the Cubs front office can take some pointers from Baltimore, whose rebuild has been an incredible success.