A former Saugerties baseball standout has signed with the Chicago Cubs for more than $3.56 million.
Outfielder Ethan Conrad reached the deal after being drafted by the Cubs earlier this month in the first round (17th overall) of the Major League Baseball draft.
After graduating from Saugerties in 2022, Conrad went on to play at Marist College, where he led the NCAA in triples in 2024. His achievements earned him multiple honors, including First Team All-MAAC and a spot on the MAAC All-Championship Team. Earlier this year, he transferred to Wake Forest for one final collegiate season before entering the draft.
“Ethan is a five-tool player who is a gamer,” Wake Forest baseball coach Tom Walter said. “This is a great pick by the Chicago Cubs. Ethan will be a guy who will play in the big leagues for a long time and is a potential All-Star. His bat-to-ball skills are elite, and he is just scratching the surface of his power potential.”
According to an MLB.com scouting report, Conrad “makes repeated contact with a simple left-handed swing and gap-to-gap approach. He’s an aggressive hitter who chases all types of pitches out of the zone, yet his uncanny hand-eye coordination helps him compensate. A physical 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, he has the strength and solid bat speed to provide at least average power, though there are some concerns that he doesn’t drive balls in the air to his pull side very often.”
Conrad sustained a dislocated left shoulder and a labral tear while diving for a ball in a game in March and underwent surgery. He is still recovering, but the Cubs have signed a talented player. Conrad hit .372 in minimal time for Wake Forest with seven home runs, eight doubles, and 27 RBI.