Day one of the MLB First-Year Players Draft began with the most predictable draft pick in baseball history, when the Washington Nationals selected 17-year-old phenom Bryce Harper.
The Chicago Cubs, however, made one of the more shocking picks of the first round, when they selected the unknown Southern Arkansas right-hander, Hayden Simpson, with the 16th pick. Despite the lack of name recognition, many analysts have jumped on the Cubs scouting director, Tim Wilken, who also selected rising star, Tyler Colvin, in 2006, and have deemed Simpson as one of the safest picks in the draft thus far.
Surprisingly, the Draft did continue past the first round, and the following is a summary of the first two days of draft choices by the Chicago Cubs.
Round 1, Pick 16: Hayden Simpson, RHP (Southern Arkansas University)
Simpson was a surprising pick at 16 to say the least, but has been known to throw a 97-mph fastball, to match two devastating off-speed pitches. Simpson finished second in D-ll Player of the Year voting in 2010, though his jaw-dropping statistics in his junior season—13-1 record with a 1.81 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 15 starts—speak much louder than any award could.
Ranked 191 by Baseball America as a pitcher, Simpson was the first choice by Wilken, and once again, he knows something we still don’t: How to scout.
Round 2, Pick 65: Reggie Golden, CF (Wetumpka High School)
Despite believing that he would be picked within the first 35 picks of the draft, Wetumpka High School product, Reggie Golden (above right) fell to the Cubs who selected him with the 65th pick in the second round of the First-Year Players Draft. If he chooses to deny Chicago’s offer, Golden has signed with the University of Alabama.
Golden is classified as a “self-taught” hitter, with somewhat of a wild swing and inconsistency. Despite the questions surrounding his swing, Golden is a raw five-tool player, with bursts of power and exceptional play to overshadow his faults.
At 5’10”, 210 pounds, Golden is a tank with average range and arm strength, but with the help of the Cubs’ strong farm system, can develop into one of the game’s future greats. With more time on the field, Golden will be on the fast-track to Major League success. Staying at the Alabama may be a better choice for him at the moment, unfortunately.
Round 3, Pick 97: Micah Gibbs, C (Louisiana State University)
In a fairly shallow draft class for catchers, Micah Gibbs is renowned as being one of the most well rounded journeymen in the draft. Gibbs has shown raw power and strong defensive skills while behind the plate for the Louisiana State University Tigers, along with strong range and average arm strength. The 20-year-old hits for good average, posting .294 and .322 in his first two seasons with LSU.
Round 4, Pick 130: Hunter Ackerman, LHP (Louisburg College)
The second pitcher selected by the Cubs in the 2010 Draft, Ackerman went 8-1 with a 1.40 ERA in his freshman season for the Hurricanes. After joining the West Virginia Miners baseball club—a college summer league—however, Ackerman is 1-1 with a 8.21 ERA in 7 2/3 innings.
Round 5, Pick 160: Matthew Szczur, C/OF (Villanova)
For the second straight pick, the Chicago Cubs picked a player with the same first name as the previous player selected, when they chose Matthew Szczur, junior, out of Villanova with the 160th pick of the Draft. While there, the 19-year-old catcher/outfielder hit .346 with 24 RBI’s as a freshman — yet another hit-for-average player selected by the Cubs.
Round 8, Pick 250: Cameron Greathouse, LHP (Gulf Coast CC)
With yet another somewhat surprising pick, the Cubs selected Cameron Greathouse out of Gulf Coast Community College in Florida. Greathouse had a 3.06 ERA and was 10-2 for the Commodores. The Cubs usually don’t take risks with pitchers with such high ERA’s like Greathouse, but with development, he has strong break on his fast ball and off-speed pitches.
Round 9, Pick 280: Kevin Rhoderick, RHP (Oregon State)
The Chicago Cubs selected Kevin Rhoderick as the third pitcher in their draft class with the 280th pick in the ninth round. While at OSU, Rhoderick won three games as a reliever, with a 8.0 hits per nine innings ratio. Rhoderick has an above average fastball that tops out at about 91 mph, and a sweeping curvball that hits along the high 70s. He also carries a change-up, that floats at about 80 mph. Rhoderick has strong potential as a reliever for the Cubs, and proved himself at a Pac-10 powerhouse as a junior. He was previously selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 18th round of the 2007 Draft, but did not sign.
Round 10, Pick 310: Aaron Kurcz, RHP (College of Southern Nevada)
Not to be shown-up by his world famous teammate — first round draft choice, Bryce Harper — Aaron Kurcz was selected with the 310th pick by the Chicago Cubs, just 10 rounds later than the Phenom. As a sophomore, Kurcz went 3-3 in 35 innings pitched while in relief.
Round 11, Pick 340: Eric Jokisch, LHP (Northwestern)
I feel dumber already. The Chicago Cubs selected left-hander, Eric Jokisch out of the prestigious Northwestern University as a junior. In two season, Jokisch was 12-9 with a 5.48 ERA in 2009. Jokisch was previously drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 39th round of the 2007 draft, but rejected the offer.
Round 12, Pick 370: Austin Reed, RHP (Rancho Cucamonga HS)
Austin Reed was selected out of Rancho Cucamonga High School, in California, with the 370th pick in the First-Year Players Draft. Reed throws his fastball around 88-mph and floats his breaking ball at a speed of 73-75 consistently.
Round 13, Pick 400: Pierre LePage, 2B (Connecticut)
Only the second infielder selected by the Chicago Cubs thus far, Pierre LePage –second baseman from the University of Connecticut — became the 400th pick of the 2010 Draft. LePage hit .327 while slugging in three home runs and 57 RBI’s in his 2010 junior season.
Round 14, Pick 430: Colin Richardson, RHP (Winter Haven HS)
With the 430th pick, the Cubs selected Colin RIchardson, a strong pitcher out of Winter Haven High School in Florida. Richardson had a .550 ERA in 2010 in 76 innings pitched. He also showed some strength at the plate, hitting .254 with four doubles in the same season.
Round 15, Pick 460: Elliot Soto, SS (Creighton)
Now the Chicago Cubs have another Soto in their organization, after they selected Elliot Soto with the 460th pick of the Draft out of Creighton. The junior hit three home runs and drove in 28 RBI’s for the Jays, while averaging .297.
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