The MLB draft, unlike any other draft in professional sports, gives a nearly limitless glimpse into the future. Where as NFL players who are drafted within the top four rounds may legitimately end up starting Week 1 in the next season, almost every prospect taken in the MLB draft is years out from contributing to the organization at the highest level (that is, unless you are drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, in which case, you may be starting against the Astros within a week). This allows us to dream any dream we want because these players are so far from realizing their potential. 

Now that we are a month beyond the draft, teams have signed their players and lots of them have gotten a taste of professional baseball. The curtains are slowly peeling back and we’re getting more defined glimpses into the future. Not nearly enough to say anything definitive, but just enough to whet our whistle and begin to dream a little dream. So, which Cubs picks have begun to show out in their first action? Is there anyone who’s struggling? Today, we’ll check in on a few prospects. Fair warning: if you’re looking for an update on the Cubs’ first-round selection, outfielder Ethan Conrad out of Wake Forest, you will have to wait until the spring, as he is still rehabbing a shoulder injury. Many of the Cubs’ other selections are pitchers, and will have limited exposure to minor league hitting as they rest their arms from a full prep or college season. However, there are a few hitters who have been able to jump into the minors and should be monitored going forward! 

Kane Kepley, CF – 2nd-round selection out of the University of North Carolina
Myrtle Beach (Low-A) .387/.548/.532 223 wRC+, 19 BB%, 11.9 K%

Kane Kepley has had an absolutely torrid start to his professional career, absolutely crushing Low-A to the tune of a wRC+ that’s 123% better than league average. He’s been a menace, getting on base over 53% of the time while stealing 11 bases in just 17 games. This isn’t even to talk about his plus to potentially plus-plus defensive acumen as well. It’s almost undebatable, but Kepley has likely gotten off to the best start of any of the Cubs draft picks. 

To compare Kepley, the Cubs have had a recent first-round selection who had also seen a cup of coffee in Myrtle Beach Cam Smith. Last season, in 15 games, Cam Smith had a 225 wRC+, which is almost identical to Kepley. He struck out as little more, but also hit five home runs compared to Kepley’s one. Both Smith and Kepley played in the ACC as well. This is not to say that Kepley should be starting for an MLB team come April like Smith did, but it goes to show just how good of a start he is off to. 

I will add some caution, however; Kepley lighting up Myrtle Beach should be mostly expected. It’s a league full of players who probably aren’t as strong as the ACC is, so him hitting better than he did in college is a bit less exciting than if he were smoking Iowa. As well, single-skill players can find more success at lower levels as their other skills are less exploitable among younger, rawer pitchers. Kepley has a great approach and contact, but the power is likely to remain a bit of a question mark until he shows it at higher levels. I don’t mean to be doom-and-gloom, but I am trying to be realistic that while this is as good of a start as we could hope for, he probably needs to show out at higher levels before we change our feeling on him too much. Still, awesome start for the former Tar Heel with the Cubs organization. 

Kade Snell, 1b/OF – 5th-round selection out of Alabama University
.210/.319/.290 79 wRC+, 13.9 BB%, 16.7 K% 

The Cubs selected Kade Snell out of the SEC in the fifth round, signing the former Crimson Tide player to a slightly-under-slot contract. His power projection is less than idea, but his approach and contact ability had some strong reports coming out of college. His former college experience and advanced bat prompted the Cubs to send Snell directly to South Bend (unlike Kepley, who got sent to the lower-level Myrtle Beach) upon signing. Thus far, the aggressive promotion hasn’t gone as well for Snell, but it’s still quite early. 

While his wRC+ and the pure “results” have been underwhelming, the approach has shone through with above-average walk and strikeout rates. The initial struggle, as well, appears to be behind the hitter, as he had only two hits in his first 21 plate appearances. Since then, he’s hit .267 and coupled with his excellent walk rate, has posted a much more encouraging 110 wRC+. Given his profile as a corner outfielder or first baseman, he’ll need to hit for more power than he’s shown, but his professional career is young; there could be an interesting platoon hitter down the road here.

Josiah Hartshorn, OF, – 6th-round selection out of Lutheran High School
No data yet

Josiah Hartshorn has quickly become one of my favorites in the draft class. This isn’t shocking, as he received the second-largest bonus (despite being the team’s sixth-round pick) of any one the Cubs selected over the course of the multiple-day event, clearly showcasing how the Cubs feel about him. While we haven’t had a chance to see Hartshorn play organized games, there are some really good reports coming out of the Arizona Complex from Arizona Phil. For the unacquainted, Arizona Phil (or AZ Phil for short) reports on back-field games, practices, and the like, as the Complex League is rarely broadcast and there are many moving parts. AZ Phil helps give insight on these comings-and-goings and has a lot of positives to say about Hartshorn.

It sounds like the Cubs are willing to give him at look in center field, which is awesome. I don’t think his size will necessarily allow him to stick there long term, but it helps to identify the type of athleticism we’re seeing from him and that it doesn’t sound like he’s a first-base-only prospect. The reports on the contact ability are also excellent. While he’ll be a different type of hitter, Owen Caissie got some early looks at times in center field (prior to coming to the Cubs). Both are bigger guys, so having that type of athleticism early in their career helps you believe they can maintain enough to play RF or LF for the foreseeable future. We probably won’t get much data on Hartshorn in 2025, but he sounds like someone who could have a rocket ship attached to his back in 2026.

What do think of these three players? Have any of them changed your opinions? Let us know in the comment section below!

Interested in learning more about the Chicago Cubs’ top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!

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