With the Chicago Cubs present being…well it’s present. And the Cubs past being, well the Cubs past, why not focus on the Cubs future? Wow, not one, but two Cubs draft articles? Yes, indeed we are doing just that. Wouldn’t you rather talk about the Cubs future than the Cubs present?
The Cubs tonight made two picks in the opening rounds of the 2013 MLB Draft: third baseman Kris Bryant out of the University of San Diego with the second overall pick went first. In the second round, the Cubs selected left-handed pitcher Robert Zastryzny from the University of Missouri.
The Cubs drafted a finalist for the 2013 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award and the Louisville Slugger National Player of the Year sported a .946 fielding percentage at third base (9 E/166 TC).
Baseball America listed Bryant as the top position prospect available in the draft, and the third-best overall. The publication ranks him as the top college power hitter available.
Zastryzny posted a 3.38 ERA with three complete games, one shutout and a 2-9 record for Mizzou in his junior year this season. He struck out 82 in 90.2 innings. In his 2012 sophomore campaign, he struck out 76 batters compared to just 31 walks while compiling a 5-5 record.
His 228 career strikeouts in three seasons at Missouri rank tied for eighth-most in school history. The Cubs and the rest of MLB continue the draft tonight.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net. He’s also an author who also contributes regularly to MSN, Fox Sports , Chicago Now, Walter Football.com and Yardbarker
Banks has appeared on the History Channel, as well as Clear Channel, ESPN and CBS radio all over the world. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@PaulMBanks), like him on Facebook