The Chicago Cubs have wrapped up their first-ever draft with Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer at the helm, and now the gurus have begun weighing in on the front office's haul. According to prospect expert Keith Law, the Cubs made some prudent selections early in the 2012 MLB Draft:
Chicago Cubs Summary: Strong first few picks for the Cubs, leading with Albert Almora (1), a high-floor high school center fielder who still has star potential because of his bat and mature approach at the plate. Pierce Johnson (1A) might have been a first-rounder if he hadn't been felled by a forearm strain this spring; I worry about it becoming a recurring issue because of torque generated at the end of his delivery, but the stuff and results are first-round worthy, with No. 2 starter ceiling if he holds up.
The Cubs also selected a few mid-draft prospects who could blossom into something more impressive with a little time:
Josh Conway (4) was probably a top-50 pick before blowing out his elbow in May. Trey Lang (6) was an oddly used JC reliever and first baseman, a 6-3, 225-pound right-hander who can work at 90-94 but whose slider comes and goes.
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