The 2014 First-Year Player Draft began on Thursday night and the Cubs selected a position player and a pitcher with their first two picks.
The Cubs made Kyle Schwarber the fourth overall pick in the draft. The Cubs value the lefty hitting, catcher/outfielder and feel he will sign quickly and report to Boise. Schwarber would like to stay behind the plate. Schwarber has a lot of power and a good approach at the plate. Plus he is a lefty and will soon join Dan Vogelbach as the top two power hitting lefties in the Cubs’ system.
Jake Stinnett was grabbed in the second round, a right hander from Maryland, with little mileage on his arm. Stinnett was a two-way player at Maryland before putting down his third base glove last year. Stinnett has impressed scouts in two short years, and like Schwarber, he should sign quickly and for under-slot.
The draft continues on Friday (11:30am CDT) with rounds 3-10. The Cubs should spend the day drafting one pitcher after the other, and the third round pick could be very interesting.
Cubs Sweep the Mets
While the baseball world was focused on the draft, the Cubs played a good game on Thursday night and completed the three-game sweep over the Mets.
Thursday marked the first time since July of 2012 the Cubs swept a team at Wrigley and the first time a Cubs’ team swept the Mets at Wrigley since 2004.
Anthony Rizzo and Travis Wood went yard, Junior Lake hit a two-run triple in the eighth and Rizzo scored the winning run for the third game in a row.
The Cubs improved to 13-13 at Wrigley Field on Thursday night.
News and Notes
John Baker could be sidelined for two-three days. Baker took a foul ball to his throat during Wednesday’s game. Eli Whiteside is expected to start. If Baker is not able to catch, the Cubs third catcher is Luis Valbuena.
Neil Ramirez notched his first big league save on Thursday night.
Minor News and Notes
Kris Bryant and John Andreoli will be in the starting lineup for the North Division squad in the upcoming All-Star game. Bryant will hit third and play third while Andreoli will leadoff and play in one of the outfield spots.
Terry Francona is happy for Manny Ramirez.
Arismendy Alcantara his hit eighth home run of the season on Thursday night. Alcantara went 2-for-4 with the solo home run and apparently was glad to see another pitching staff than the one with the Sounds. Alcantara snapped a four-game hitless skid with the two-hit game. Alcantara hit safely in five straight before the series with the Sounds.
This Day In Cubstory
2006 – Cubs selected Tyler Colvin in the first round (13th overall) of the draft
2006 – Cubs selected Jeff Samardzija in the fifth round of the draft
2006 – Cubs selected Steve Clevenger in the seventh round of the draft
2006 – Cubs selected Blake Parker in the 16th round of the draft
2003 – Sammy Sosa is suspended for eight games for corking his bat
1987 – Cubs traded a PTNBL to the Rangers for Mike Mason. Dave Pavlas was sent to Texas to complete trade
1978 – Cubs selected Bill Hayes in the first round (13th overall pick) of the draft
1978 – Cubs selected Mel Hall in the second round of the draft
1978 – Phillies selected Ryne Sandberg in the 20th round of the draft
1978 – Cubs selected Mike Diaz in the 30th round of the draft
1972 – Brooks Kieschnick, born
1972 – Cubs selected Ray Burris in the 17th round of the draft
1957 – After an 86-minute delay, the first fog out in Major League history occurred at Ebbets Field when the umpires called off the game between the Cubs and Dodgers
1956 – Cubs signed Jim Brewer
1952 – Hank Sauer, on his way to an MVP Award, drove in runs number 49 and 50 in a 7-2 victory over the Braves
1944 – Cubs traded Eddie Stanky to the Brooklyn Dodgers for Bob Chipman
1885 – The Chicago National League Ball Club played its first game at West Side Park and beat St. Louis 7-2. John Clarkson picked up the win