4 Draft Picks Cubs Never Could've Made in 2020 Draft Format
The 2020 MLB Draft will only feature five rounds, and that makes each and every pick incredibly important. The Chicago Cubs are a team looking to restock with younger, cheaper talent, and that task becomes more difficult given the condensed draft. Throughout their history, Chicago has found plenty of talent beyond the fifth round, and a bit of a history lesson shows how limiting the draft in 2020 will prevent potential future stars from ever being drafted.
4. Geovany Soto
The Cubs drafted Geovany Soto in the 11th round of the 2001 draft, and he went on to play with the team from 2005-2012. His playing time was limited up until 2008 when he won National League Rookie of the Year. He made the All-Star Game the same year and posted a 3.3 WAR. Soto's play began to decline after 2008, although he did once again have a 3.3 WAR in 2011. He was ultimately traded to Texas in 2012, but goes down in Cubs history as a late-round pick who burst onto the scene as a rookie for a team that probably had as full a roster as the Cubbies had ever had, pre-2016.
3. Steve Trachsel
Steve Trachsel was an eighth-round pick of the Cubs in 1991 and played with the team from 1993-1999. The right-hander made his only All-Star Game in 1996 and finished fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 1994. The starter reached double-digit victories twice in Chicago before going 8-18 in 1999 and subsequently being released. He finished his Cubs career with a record of 61-72 and a 4.41 ERA.
2. Kyle Lohse
Kyle Lohse never appeared in a single game for the Cubs. However, he was a 29th-round pick of the team back in the 1996 draft. He spent several years in the organization before being traded to Minnesota in exchange for pitchers Rick Aguilera and Scott Downs. Aguilera had 29 saves for the Cubs in 2000 and Lohse provided some nice trade value from his late draft slot. He went on to play until 2016 and record 147 career victories.
1. Mark Grace
Of course! Mark Grace suited up for the Cubs out of relative obscurity from 1988-2000, and fought for three All-Star appearances. The first baseman was such a consistent player in Chicago it is easy to forget he was drafted in the 24th round of the 1985 draft. Grace finished second in Rookie of the Year voting in 1988 and won four Gold Gloves in Chicago. He also posted a WAR of 44.2 in 13 seasons. Not too bad for a player drafted No. 622 overall.