The Cubs have reached an agreement with their sixth-round pick, high school catcher Ethan Hearn, NBC Sports Chicago’s David Kaplan reports (Twitter link). Hearn had been committed to Mississippi State, though he will instead begin his pro career after receiving a substantially large signing bonus. Kaplan reports that Hearn “will receive second round money,” rather than the $247K recommended slot price attached to the 192nd overall selection. This likely means Hearn’s bonus is in the seven figures, as the second-round slot prices range from $929.8K to just over $1.771MM.
Hearn’s college commitment dropped him into the sixth round, though most draft pundits projected him in the low-second/high-third round area (Baseball America ranked him 66th among all draft prospects, and Hearn was ranked 67th by MLB.com, and 71st by Fangraphs). Generally considered the top high school catcher in this year’s draft class, Hearn is described by Baseball America’s scouting report as possessing “above-average raw power but a below-average hit tool” for now. He has a strong throwing arm and strong defensive potential behind the plate, though his overall defensive work may still need some seasoning, which isn’t unusual for such a young catcher.
By going significantly over slot to sign Hearn, the Cubs will eat into a big chunk of their $5,826,900 overall draft pool. It’s worth noting that Hearn is the only high schooler taken within Chicago’s first seven picks, so the Cubs have positioned themselves to create some savings elsewhere.
You misspelled Craig Kimbrel.
You must be a speller teecher!
I don’t get it. Why not just draft the guy in the 2nd round instead of a “below slot” guy that should have been drafted later?
well he obviously dropped on every team’s board if he fell to the 6th. that means other players moved up the boards, so take the value where you can and overdraft a college player who has little leverage to negotiate the signing bonus
Dropped why? Did they really draft him thinking they can’t sign him?
They drafted him knowing it was a possibility.
Instead of potentially wasting a higher pick, they drafted a guy likely easier to sign or more advanced, then when the 6th round came and he was still there, they took a gamble
so much for signing concerns
I don’t get why they drafted a high ranked catcher instead of a high ranked pitcher or outfielder. The Cubs have one of the best situations at the catcher position. Barring trade or significant injury, they are set the next few years with Contreras and Caratini at the majors, and have top 100 prospect Amaya in high-A right now.
It was the sixth round—they got potentially second round talent. If Hearn is anything good, Amaya becomes a trade chip. You said barring trade or injury—DEPTH at ANY position is good. Hearn was a signability concern and why he was in the sixth round. Nobody they draft these three days is going to concern Contreras or Caratini any time soon….
reeeeeeee your comment makes too much sense. Thank you
He’s a HS catcher… Even if he turns out to be great, you probably won’t see him for 5+ years. Their current situation has absolutely no effect on this pick.
It’ll be probably 5 years before he’s realistically ready. A lot will happen between then and now
This is why you never draft for need in MLB, extremely rare is the draftee you see immediate benefit from.
Very rarely SHOULD a team draft according to need. The only time I can really think is if there’s a polished college pitcher that could slot immediately into a playoff bullpen such as Brandon Finnegan.
NICE! I was afraid they wouldn’t be able to offer him enough to pass on his college commitment. Well done Theo!