Inside The Cubs

Cubs Prioritize Talent Over Fit With Intriguing Day 1 of 2025 MLB Draft

The Chicago Cubs looked for the best players available rather than addressing their biggest needs in the first day of the 2025 MLB draft.
Dylan Sanders|
Sep 20, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A detailed view of Chicago Cubs third baseman Javier Baez (9) (not pictured) hat and glove with the initials P.R. for his home country Puerto Rico against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.
Sep 20, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A detailed view of Chicago Cubs third baseman Javier Baez (9) (not pictured) hat and glove with the initials P.R. for his home country Puerto Rico against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. | Kim Klement-Imagn Images

In this story:

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs were worried more about talent than fit in the 2025 MLB draft, as they had an interesting first day at the event.

Their first three rounds ended up being filled with college players, outfielders especially.

They already have plenty of current talent there with Owen Caissie, Kevin Alcantara and James Triantos soon to reach the bigs.

More News: MLB Insider Says Cubs Have Been Approved To Host 2027 All-Star Game

Some trades could be coming over the next few weeks that clears up some space, though.

Here are the players the Cubs selected on Day 1 of the 2025 MLB Draft.

No. 17 - Ethan Conrad, Wake Forest

Conrad has a nice left-handed swing and big frame for just how fast he is. Despite being 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, he has proven to be a threat on the basepaths.

More News: Cubs Select Ethan Conrad With 17th Pick in First Round of 2025 MLB Draft

The 21-year-old got off to a hot start this past season with a .372/.495/.744 slash line, seven home runs, 27 RBI and four stolen bases in 21 games before shoulder surgery ended his campaign early.

No. 56 - Kane Kepley, North Carolina

Kepley was the second-straight lefty outfielder Chicago took, but he has a much different profile.

He is 5-foot-8 and doesn't have much power, but he's smart and very fast.

More News: Cubs Superstar on Pace for Massive Bonus With Stellar Production

He slashed .291/.451/.444 with three home runs, 30 RBI and 45 stolen bases in 61 games this spring.

No. 90 - Dominick Reid, Abiliene Christian

Reid didn't really get a shot at Oklahoma State to start his college career, so he transferred this past year and looked good.

A bigger sample size probably would have had him drafted earlier than where he was taken in this draft, but Chicago won't complain about getting a potential steal.

The 21-year-old had a 3.26 ERA with a 1.109 WHIP and 112 strikeouts in 88.1 innings this past season.

For more Cubs news, head over to Cubs On SI.

Published
Dylan Sanders
DYLAN SANDERS

Dylan Sanders graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree from the Manship School of Mass Communication in 2023. He was born in raised in Baton Rouge, LA but has also lived in Buffalo, NY. Though he is a recent graduate, he has been writing about sports since he was in high school, covering different sports from baseball to football. While in college, he wrote for the school paper The Reveille and for 247Sports. He was able cover championships in football, baseball and women's basketball during his time at LSU. He has also spent a few years covering the NFL draft and every day activities of the New Orleans Saints. He is a Senior Writer at Inside the Marlins and will also be found across Sports Illustrated's baseball sites as a contributing writer. You can follow him on Twitter or Instagram @dillysanders

Home/News