Headlines

  • Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez
  • Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff
  • Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
  • Bobby Jenks Passes Away
  • Braves Release Alex Verdugo
  • Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Cubs Sign First-Round Pick Ed Howard

By George Miller | June 22, 2020 at 11:34am CDT

June 22: The Cubs have formally announced the signing. Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago tweets that Howard’s exact bonus is $3.7455MM (the full slot value for the No. 16 pick).

June 21: The Cubs have agreed to terms with first-round draft choice Ed Howard, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. Howard will receive a $3.75MM bonus, on par with the slot value for the 16th overall pick with which he was chosen. The Cubs entered the draft with an overall pool of $6,721,600.

In Howard, the Cubs got not only the best high-school shortstop in this year’s draft class, but a hometown product as well, with Howard playing his high-school ball in Chicago. He’d been committed to continue his career at the University of Oklahoma, but as a surefire first-rounder, there was little doubt that Howard would instead play affiliated baseball.

Howard’s calling card is his steady, fluid defense at shortstop. With a strong throwing arm and smooth footwork, scouts almost universally think he’ll be able to stick at shortstop in the Majors. There’s less certainty about his offensive game, but evaluators laud his bat speed and believe there’s room for more power with a refined approach and some physical development.

At just 18 years old, Howard and the Cubs will have plenty of time to work on his game before he’s a finished product. Make no mistake, his selection likely has nothing to do with Javier Baez’s future in a Cubs uniform; Howard is an outstanding prospect regardless of the Cubs’ situation at shortstop, and we’ll look forward to seeing him make an impact at the Major League level in the near future.

Share 0 Retweet 10 Send via email0

2020 Amateur Draft 2020 Amateur Draft Signings Chicago Cubs Transactions Ed Howard

KBO’s Hanwha Eagles Sign Brandon Barnes, Waive Jared Hoying
Main
MLB, MLBPA Making Final Negotiation Effort
View Comments (45)
Post a Comment

45 Comments

  1. ABCD

    5 years ago

    Hope to see him in Wrigley Field by 2024.

    4
    Reply
    • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

      5 years ago

      They’ll have to flip a coin for SS Baez or Howard

      1
      Reply
      • Aaron Sapoznik

        5 years ago

        Hopefully Javier Baez will still be a Cub come 2024. He can become a free agent following the 2021 season if the Cubs fail to extend him. Baez also has the defensive flexibility to play an excellent SS, 2B and 3B. His bat will play anywhere.

        Howard’s defense is ahead of his bat at this point in time. Most scouts and pundits believe he will stick at SS if and when he makes his MLB debut. There’s a decent chance that, Baez, Howard and Nico Hoerner will be the Cubs future starting infield come 2024 along with an extended Anthony Rizzo at 1B. In a perfect world, the Cubs will also retain 3B Kris Bryant who might be bested suited for outfield duty by 2024.

        Reply
        • The Human Rain Delay

          5 years ago

          History has to lead me to belive Bryant will overshoot his worth in these bad financial times and land elsewhere-

          No doubt Cubs have a nic inf working but whoes going to throw off the mound?

          1
          Reply
        • teufelshunde4

          5 years ago

          And Cubs will overpay for Baez, who is flashy & half as good as Bryant..Since Theo cant draft pitching its gonna be awhile before Cubs are relevant again

          Reply
        • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

          5 years ago

          They’ll extend him. Ricketts better not low ball him and open up their check book up.
          Extend Baez,Rizzo by next year. Kris Bryant will test free agency. If they want to keep him it will be like that. In 4 years. They need to extend Ian Happ as well. He’s very underrated

          Reply
        • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

          5 years ago

          They’re still very relevant right now though. They’ll be just fine with pitching. Hendricks, Marquez (2021) Alzolay in 2020-21. Yu for 3 more years. Great position to win. Best team by far in the NL Central

          Reply
      • DarkSide830

        5 years ago

        Javy doesnt need to play SS

        Reply
      • johnrealtime

        5 years ago

        I’m a cubs fan but I really hope the cubs dont sign baez to some mega deal. Trade him. High K low walk guys don’t typically age well

        2
        Reply
        • Jeff Zanghi

          5 years ago

          I agree, I’m not a Cubs fan but as an outside observer I fear that Baez is a guy who really won’t age well. He already (in my opinion) doesnt get on base enough and right now he’s able to combat that with big power numbers and a high enough BA… But as he starts to age if his BA dips just a little bit he’ll be at risk of having an OBP around .300 and that won’t be good. Who knows maybe he’ll be one of those guys who starts to be more patient and walks more as he ages… in which case he very well could age better than expected. But personally I think he’s a big risk if given a long term contract because of his lack of patience/walks.

          Reply
        • wild bill tetley

          5 years ago

          Cubs could receive a good return in a Baez trade. Cubs should consider a soft rebuild.

          Reply
    • Mikel Grady

      5 years ago

      Why wait 2 years ? Go to Wrigley in 2022 to watch him

      Reply
  2. jneumann

    5 years ago

    “Cubs draft Ed Howard. Yes, showing action instead of hallow words”
    -Bob Nightengale

    Reply
    • jdgoat

      5 years ago

      What an absolute galaxy brain comment that was by Bobengale

      3
      Reply
      • jneumann

        5 years ago

        Yes

        Reply
  3. jessaumodesto

    5 years ago

    I knew they would

    Reply
  4. ChangedName

    5 years ago

    Few teams are more intriguing over the next couple of years than the Cubs, they have SO many big decisions to make on players.

    Reply
    • The Human Rain Delay

      5 years ago

      they have 3 ….4 if you count Contreras –

      I think Bryant walks so really Rizzo Baez will be the calls in 22′ imo

      Reply
      • louwhitakerisahofer

        5 years ago

        I think the Cubs decision on Contreras has already been made. Miguel Amaya is their future, but they are comfortable with Caratini as a bridge, if need be.

        Reply
        • Ry.the.Stunner

          5 years ago

          Miguel Amaya has done nothing to impress me. He has middling numbers and he’s still only in Single-A.

          1
          Reply
        • The Human Rain Delay

          5 years ago

          Vic intrigues me, especially being left handed, the new possible DH and ability to play the field

          I think Contreras goes somewhere else in the end too along w Bryant.. Theres just too much demand /not enough supply for a young Catcher around the league- They’ll redirect that money towards the staff

          I think the resign Rizzo, Baez, KS and extend Vic in the end like they did Bote. Add 2 Sp’s and some internal Rp breakthroughs and thats a pretty good core still moving into 22

          Reply
    • Mikel Grady

      5 years ago

      Dodgers , yankees

      Reply
  5. Logjammer D"Baggagecling

    5 years ago

    Must be nice. 18 years old and immediately get 3.75m just for signing with the cubs. All because he’s great at baseball

    Reply
    • Baller4mlb

      5 years ago

      That’s how it goes in this beautiful country. If you can become really good at something, no matter the age, you’re going to reap the benefits and get paid. Congrats to Ed and the Chicago Cubs on getting it done. This now newly affluent young man has an even brighter future to boot it.

      6
      Reply
    • pplama

      5 years ago

      A sport in which MLB makes over $11bil in annual revenue.
      And he’ll get $100k right away, because the owners say they can’t pay full bonuses this year.
      Sour grapes.

      1
      Reply
      • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

        5 years ago

        Owners are just cheap

        1
        Reply
        • fox471 Dave

          5 years ago

          The owners just gave an 18 yr. old 3.75m to play a game. Owners pay for talent.

          Reply
      • Mikel Grady

        5 years ago

        Pplama as a owner of a business what a owner makes and what the public thinks you make are not even close .

        Reply
    • Afk711

      5 years ago

      Yes, he is good at something 99 percent of the population is not. Supply and demand.

      3
      Reply
    • throwinched10

      5 years ago

      Hopefully he has a good head on his shoulders and/or good people around him. Too many young players blow that money when it’s actually enough to retire on someday.

      1
      Reply
    • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

      5 years ago

      For the record. I just meant I was happy for him. He worked hard. So he earned it.

      1
      Reply
      • fox471 Dave

        5 years ago

        For the record, say that then.

        Reply
      • vtadave

        5 years ago

        You sound jealous.

        Reply
  6. fletch

    5 years ago

    This guy will never see wrigley as a Cub. Front office brass likes to trade the farm for rentals.

    Reply
    • johnrealtime

      5 years ago

      Isn’t Chapman the only rental they have really traded much for? And that led to a WS so..

      1
      Reply
      • Ry.the.Stunner

        5 years ago

        Depends on if Soler amounts to anything like he did in 2019.

        Reply
  7. pinkerton

    5 years ago

    I think he will be good at this baseball

    Reply
    • throwinched10

      5 years ago

      He’s going to be the next Ed Howard!

      1
      Reply
      • pinkerton

        5 years ago

        And how!

        Reply
  8. jmaverik

    5 years ago

    I predict this kid is going to be a star. He is smooth as silk. Can’t believe he lasted as long in the draft as he did.

    1
    Reply
    • hammertime510

      5 years ago

      Yeah, from the picture alone I can tell the guy will be in the bigs for a long time. The cubs had an amazing draft.

      Reply
  9. OUCH! my GoNats

    5 years ago

    How many young guys are named Ed?

    Reply
    • earmbrister

      5 years ago

      Ed Howard, Ed Cetera …

      Reply
  10. rememberthecoop

    5 years ago

    He won’t hit. He’s more of a throwback shortstop like they used to be before A-Rod, Ripken & Nomar came along & changed expectations.

    Reply
    • Slice

      5 years ago

      He’s 18 and his comp is Tim Anderson with better defense. Pump the breaks and give the kid a day or so to develop.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

    Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Bobby Jenks Passes Away

    Braves Release Alex Verdugo

    Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

    Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

    Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

    Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds

    Rangers Option Josh Jung

    Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement

    Braves Place Spencer Schwellenbach On IL With Elbow Fracture

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

    Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib

    Tucker Barnhart To Retire

    Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline

    Reds Release Jeimer Candelario

    Dave Parker Passes Away

    Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles

    Recent

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Rays Sign Peter Strzelecki To Minor League Contract

    MLB Announces 2025 All-Star Rosters

    Rhys Hoskins Suffers Grade 2 Thumb Sprain, Headed To IL

    Pirates Re-Sign Yohan Ramírez, Release Peter Strzelecki

    Diamondbacks Place Pavin Smith On IL, Select Tristin English

    Details On Bryan Reynolds’ Limited No-Trade Protection

    Tigers Select PJ Poulin

    Blue Jays Place Andres Gimenez On 10-Day Injured List

    Yankees Sign Geoff Hartlieb To Major League Deal

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version