Chicago Cubs 2024 MLB Draft Review
Following the 2024 MLB Draft, we’re taking a deeper look at each individual draft class. Below, find one overarching takeaway from the draft, plus a full scouting report on the most interesting pick on days two and three. You can see all 30 draft reviews here.
Draft Theme: Amassing Infielders
The Cubs started the draft with a run on five hitters who play in the dirt, starting with 3B Cam Smith and 3B Cole Mathis in the first two rounds, then going after high school shortstops Ronny Cruz and Ty Southisene in the third and fourth. In the fifth, the team went for catch-and-throw specialist C Ariel Amas. In total, the Cubs drafted as many college third basemen (3) as any other team and as many college first basemen (2) as any other team. Both the team’s college first baseman were seniors who made our top 100 senior sign list—eighth rounder Edgar Alvarex and 14th rounder Cameron Sisneros.
Most Interesting Day 2 Pick: SS Ty Southisene, 4th round
Southisene is a standout performer with a polished and well-rounded game but smaller stature and no clear carrying tools. At 5-foot-9, 160 pounds, Southisene earns comparisons to current LSU second baseman Steven Milam thanks to his size, West Coast background and standout performance track record. He finds the barrel and collects hits consistently with strong pure bat-to-ball skills and a solid batting eye at the plate. He has leadoff traits that were on full display when he played in that capacity for the Four Corners-based Reds team at the Area Code Games, where he went 6-for-12 (.500) with a double, three walks and two strikeouts. There are some moving parts in his setup including a bat waggle with a high handset that leads to a deep hand press and big leg kick, but he still gets on plane with a level path that leads to more line drives into the gaps than homers. He’s a reliable defender at shortstop with clean hands, nice footwork and middle infield actions, though his arm strength might lead to him moving to second base where he will be less challenged when deep in the hole. Southisene will be 19 on draft day and is committed to Tennessee, along with several other prep shortstops in the 2024 class including Trey Snyder and Manny Marin.
Most Interesting Day 3 Pick: RHP Daniel Avitia, 12th round
Avitia was selected in the 19th round of the 2021 MLB Draft, but rather than starting his professional career he opted to attend Grand Canyon. He is now a 6-foot-4, 200-pound righthander who has earned a reputation as one of the best pure command pictures in the class. In two seasons with Grand Canyon, Avitia has posted a 3.99 ERA in 167 innings with a 27.7% strikeout rate and 5.6% walk rate. He doesn’t possess much velocity and sits 88-92 with a fastball that will scrape 95 but he throws from a lower arm slot and maximizes the stuff he does have with advanced pitchability and feel for his secondaries. He pitches off a low-80s changeup more than a mid-70s slurvy breaking ball, and neither pitch looks above-average in a vacuum, but his location and deception from his low release point allow them to both play up. He’s as safe a starter as you can find, but how teams think his stuff will miss bats in pro ball will ultimately determine his draft upside—adding more velocity in 2024 will make that projection simpler for scouting departments.
