Chicago Cubs

Draft History
2025
Shota Imanaga - protection
49 - Bryan Ramos
61 - Will Warren
63 - Jake Bloss
66 - Chad Green
94 - Chayce McDermott
102 - Jose A. Ferrer

2024
Peter Crow-Armstrong - protection
52 - Kyle Hurt
69 - Bowden Francis
72 - Dominic Canzone
78 - Sean Bouchard
82 - Randy Vazquez
108 - Shelby Miller

2023
Seiya Suzuki - protection
19 - Oswaldo Cabrera
42 - Hayden Wesneski

56 - Josh Windor
78 - Yency Almonte
86 - Liover Peguero
118 - Tyler Freeman

2022
Patrick Wisdom - protection
30 - Camilo Doval
30b - Ha-Seong Kim
102 - Bailey Falter
107 - Joel Payamps
149 - Sam Hentges

2021
Brailyn Marquez - protection
30 - Miguel Yajure
65 - Zack McKinstry
67 - Rafael Marchen
87 - Erasmo Ramirea
109 - Paul Fry
117 - James Kaprielian

2020
Nico Hoerner - protection
4 - Chris Paddack
25 - Tony Gonsolin
40 - Nick Lowe
64 - Randy Arozarena
71 - Lane Thomas

94 - J.B. Wendelken
124 - Corbin Martin

2019
no protection
30C - Luis Ortiz
43 - Domingo German
100 - D.J. Stewart
126 - Justin Williams
150 - Tyler Beede

2018
Ian Happ - protection
7 - Austin Hays
37 - Franchy Cordero
99 - Andrew Moore
107 - Emilio Pagan
124 - Daniel Gossett
144 - Gavin Cechinni

2017
Willson Contreras - protection
27 - Chris Devenski
51 - Matt Strahm
69 - Carson Fulmer

85 - Matt Olson
97 - Brandon Nimmo

2016
Kris Bryant - protection

2015
Curt Casali - protection
26 - Kyle Hendricks
36 - Alex Guerrero
76 - Kendall Graveman
116 - Adrian Nieto
120 - Kyle Lobstein

2014
Wil Myers - protection

48 - Enny Romero
50 Wilmer Flores
77 - Nate Freiman
141 - Heath Bell

2013
Chris Archer - protection
23 - Evereth Cabrera
50 - A.J. Pollock
83 - Jerome Williams
143 - Scott Kazmir
145 - Andrew Miller

2012
Matt Moore - protection
16 - Jose Altuve
46 - Juan Nicasio
84 - Brandon Guyer
106 - Kyle Weiland
121 - Juan Cruz
136 - Chance Ruffin

2011
Jeremy Hellickson - protection
8 - Jason Jaso
22 - Yonder Alonso
38 - Jeremy Jeffres
51 - Jordan Walden
149 - Chris Nelson

2010
Wade Davis - protection
30 - Ryan Perry
52 - Fu-Te Ni
73 - Esmilin Caridad
80 - Esmil Rogers
112 - Mark Melancon
142 - Joe Thurston

2009

Evan Longoria - protection
45 - Brian Barton
54 - Matt Antonelli
114 - Alex Romero
129 - Brian Lahair
144 - Brian Bass

2008
Carlos Pena - protection

2007
Delmon Young - protection
14 - Chris Iannetta
43 - Enrique Gonzalez
74 - Kevin Frandsen
104 - Joaquin Arias
134 - Robby Hammock

2006
Chad Orvella - protection
4 - Scott Baker
44 - Hector Carrasco
56 - Joey Devine

74 - Randy Flores
104 - Pablo Ozuna
134 - Manny Delcarman

2005
B.J. Upton - protection
33 - Carlos Almanzar
79 - Tim Harrikala
94 - Ryan Church
124 - Alberto Castillo
127 - Hiram Bocachica

2001
3 - Jose Ortiz
27 - Mark Buehrle
33 - Travis Harper
80 - Hector Carrasco
90 - Kevin Elster
123 - Javier Cardona

2025 Chicago Cubs

Overview: The best for last. The Cubs are back in business in 2025. After winning the NL West handily and edging out the Reds for best record in the NL, the Cubs appear poised to return to dominance once more and avenge their early exit from last season. The most striking aspect of this club is the team defense. I have found none better in my research. There are a few holes to plug, but that should prove easy enough. Most of the pieces for a deep playoff run are in place and this team is my favorite to represent the NL in the next Fall Classic.

Starting Pitching: The Cubbies boast one of the best rotations in the league. 1-5, they should all perform well. Zack Wheeler and Shoto Imanaga form one of the most dynamic 1-2 punches in the league. You won’t find much better. Imanaga was this year’s no-surprise protection pick and fits perfectly into a decorated arrangement. Rumor has it Sonny Gray will fill the 3-hole and Chris Paddack will share duties in the 4-hole with either Javier Assad or Jesus Luzardo. Bowden Francis rounds out the group and should perform admirably in the 5-hole and can pitch some from the pen as well. This group becomes even more formidable when you consider the defense that will be supporting it. And have I mentioned that these guys also hold runners well? Suffice it to say, runs will be scarce when facing the Cubs this season. (A+)

Relief Pitching: The bullpen is the biggest blemish on this team. That’s not to say it’s terrible, but as is, this group is not playoff ready. But that’s easy enough to fix. Luke Weaver, Hayden Wesneski and Kenley Jansen form a very solid setup crew, with Shelby Miller contributing as a specialist. Emilio Pagan and Camillo Doval seem destined for middle relief as I anticipate the Cubs will add 2 or 3 more quality arms in tomorrow’s draft. One of them needs to be a “closer” … or does he? (C+)

Catchers: William Contreras has emerged as one of the top backstops in the game. He is an ironman who can hit and hit well. He brings a bit of everything to the table when he plays, which should be every day. He doesn’t hurt you defensively, leaving Jose Herrera as strictly a backup. You can’t ask for much more from this position. (A)

Designated Hitter: Willy Adames is a full-time shortstop who projects as the DH vs righties. Robbie Grossman seems to be the most logical choice to handle duties versus lefties. Adames has enough pop and speed for me to rate this tandem a (B).

Infield: This infield is going to gobble up a ton of ground balls this year. Apart from third base, this gang is as good as it gets. Matt Olson will bang out clutch homers and play spectacular defense at first. Nico Hoerner will be a pest wherever he winds up in the lineup while chipping in additional stellar defense at second. The Gold Glove parade continues at shortstop with Ha-Seong Kim who is practically full-time given that he’ll be hitting somewhere in the bottom third of this lineup. Youngster Oswaldo Cabrera illustrates another need: a spectacular third baseman to complete the quartet. Cabrera isn’t bad but he’s not prepared to take over everyday duties yet. He could be shipped out in favor of a more reliable solution. If not, the Cubs will still need to acquire someone who can cover the PAs versus lefties. This minor deficiency leaves me to grade them as an (A-).

Outfield: The Cubs are all set to go in the outfield, but this squad isn’t quite as spectacular as the Cardinals. Still, there are a few top-quality defenders here. Ian Happ will roam in leftfield and add a final mint mitt to the mix. And he’ll hit 30+ homers while doing so. The defense dips in centerfield where Brandon Nimmo will be forced to play out of position. He does possess some speed, but management has expressed a desire to upgrade here. Seiya Suzuki will hit, run, and gun down plenty of runners from rightfield this season. His range isn’t tremendous, but you can do a lot worse than Suzuki. Sean Bouchard and Robbie Grossman make blah backups, but they won’t see much time. (B)

Conclusion: The Cubs will be seeking a 4th ring in 2025 (the 3rd under new management) and I think they enjoy favorable odds to accomplish it. In order to realize this dream, there are some weaknesses that need to be addressed. Thankfully, there remains plenty of time to shore up the details. Look for the Cubs to make some deals as the season progresses and they begin to get serious about the post-season. Like last year, I don’t really see anyone else in the West mounting much of a challenge for the division title but what happens after that? I suppose we will soon see.