The Cubs have consistently focused on selecting college athletes at the top of the MLB Draft and then turning their attention to high school prospects with athleticism and upside on Day 2. This year’s Draft has followed that familiar pattern for the North Siders.
Cubs Select FSU Slugger Cam Smith with No. 14 Pick
After choosing Florida State third baseman Cam Smith in the first round and College of Charleston infielder Cole Mathis in the second round on Sunday night, Chicago began Monday’s picks by selecting high school shortstop Ronny Cruz. Cruz, from Miami Christian School (Fla.), was unranked by MLB Pipeline but made an impression at the MLB Draft Combine at Chase Field in June.
Cubs on Two-Way Pick Mathis: ‘We View Him as a Hitter’
Cruz had been on the Cubs’ radar long before the Draft Combine, thanks to the efforts of team area scout Ralph Reyes.
“Ralph said he was a guy that we all need to get in there to see,” said Dan Kantrovitz, the Cubs’ vice president of scouting. “The Combine was hardly a factor in this one. Ralph put us in position because we all got a chance to get in there and see Ronny. I got a chance to talk with him on the field with Ralph and his teammates. We just really felt comfortable with him as a person and as a player.”
2024 Draft Presented by Nike
– [Draft Tracker](#)
– [Best Available](#)
– [Top 250 Prospects](#)
– [Pick-by-Pick Analysis: Day 1](#) | [Day 2](#)
– [Bazzana Goes No. 1](#) | [Wake Forest Makes History](#) | [Mariners Nab Switch-Pitcher](#)
– [Top 7 Day 1 Storylines](#) | [Best Draft Prospect from Each State](#) | [Famous Family Ties](#) | [Best Late-Round Picks in Draft History](#)
– [Bonus Pools & Pick Values](#) | [Order](#) | [Complete Coverage](#)
Cruz, who turns 18 in August, showcased his athleticism and power potential at the Combine, including a 107.9 mph exit velocity in batting practice. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound shortstop is committed to the University of Miami, but being picked in the third round (slot value of $826,000) could persuade him to turn professional.
According to Max Preps, Cruz hit .397 (25-for-63) with two homers, five doubles, and 16 RBIs in 21 games this past season, achieving a .467 on-base percentage and a .571 slugging percentage. He is currently recovering from a right knee issue that arose late in his season.
“He’s got lightning bat speed,” Kantrovitz said. “For how wiry-strong he is, the ball really jumps off his bat. He uses the ground really well, and I think you’ll see some upper-end exit velocities from him. Defensively, he’s got upper-end-of-the-spectrum speed. We think he’s got enough arm to stay at short. He’s got the actions. He’s got a really high ceiling.”
Here is a look at the rest of the Cubs’ picks from Day 2 of the Draft.
