The Cubs have built their existing core through free agency signings and several draft picks over the years have paid off in a big way. Here’s a look at the best and worst MLB Draft picks the Cubs have made over the past decade, starting with a slugger who helped the Cubs win it all in 2016.
Best Cubs Draft Picks Over Last 10 Seasons
| Name | Position | Year Drafted | Round | Career bWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Schwarber | OF | 2014 | 1 | 13.3 |
| Justin Steele | P | 2014 | 5 | 7.1 |
| Dylan Cease | P | 2014 | 5 | 12.6 |
| Ian Happ | OF | 2015 | 1 | 15.1 |
| Bryan Hudson | P | 2015 | 3 | 1.9 |
| Scott Effross | P | 2015 | 15 | 1.4 |
| Alex Lange | P | 2017 | 1 | 1.3 |
| Keegan Thompson | P | 2017 | 3 | 2.1 |
| Brandon Hughes | P/OF | 2017 | 16 | 0.6 |
| Nico Hoerner | 2B/SS | 2018 | 1 | 12.2 |
The Cubs struck gold three times in the first round from 2014 through 2018.
Chicago selected Kyle Schwarber, a then-catcher from Indiana University, in the first round in 2014. Schwarber joined the Cubs’ roster a year later and helped Chicago win the World Series in 2016 despite missing most of that year due to injury. However, the slugger experienced more success outside of the Windy City.
A year later, Chicago selected then-infielder Ian Happ, who won two Gold Gloves in left field and posted three 20+ home run campaigns for the Cubs. And in 2018, Nico Hoerner joined the Cubs organization. Hoerner, considered one of the best defensive infielders currently in the game, won his first NL Gold Glove in 2013.
Outside of those picks, the Cubs found two high school arms in 2014, Justin Steele and Dylan Cease, who developed into elite arms. The Cubs, though, didn’t reap the benefits of Cease’s arm on their MLB roster. Chicago used him to acquire Jose Quintana in 2017.
Aside from the ten listed above, the Cubs have received contributions from reliever Luke Little (0.3 bWAR) and starter Jordan Hicks (0.5). Those two, along with the likes of Matt Shaw and Cade Horton, could be on this list in the future.
Now, we move from the best Cubs draft picks of the last decade to the worst.
Worst Cubs Draft Picks Over Last 10 Seasons
| Name | Position | Year Drafted | Round | Career bWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Stinnett | P | 2014 | 2 | Never played in MLB |
| Carson Sands | P | 2014 | 4 | Never played in MLB |
| Donnie Dewees | OF | 2015 | 2 | Never played in MLB |
| DJ Wilson | OF | 2015 | 4 | Never played in MLB |
| Brendon Little | P | 2017 | 1 | -0.3 |
| Cole Roederer | OF | 2018 | 2 | Never played in MLB |
| Ryan Jensen | P | 2019 | 1 | Never played in MLB |
All the names listed above received seven figures as signing bonuses.
Jake Stinnett, who owned a career ERA of 4.36 in the Minors, never made it past Double-A and was released by the Cubs in 2020. Two rounds later, the Cubs selected Carson Sands, who struggled with walks. Sands hasn’t pitched in the Minors since 2017.
The one name who made this list and played in the Majors is Brendon Little, who spent time with the Blue Jays in 2014. Little was a tantalizing name as a draft prospect thanks to his power fastball/curveball combo. However, the rotation didn’t work out for Little, who ultimately became a reliever and threw just 11.1 IP as of June 17, 2024.
The last name on this side of the list is Ryan Jensen, drafted out of the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of California State. Jensen still has a chance of being a Major Leaguer. However, he’s no longer in the Cubs organization, as the Mariners claimed him off waivers in August 2023.
As of 2024, Jensen is a reliever in the Twins organization.
These lists do not include players selected but did not sign. bWAR figures as of June 2024.