(670 The Score) The Cubs selected Fresno State right-hander Ryan Jensen with the No. 27 overall pick in the first round of the amateur draft Monday evening.
Jensen, 21, is 12-1 with a 2.88 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 16 appearances, including 15 starts, in his junior season, which was continuing with the Bulldogs in regional play Monday night. Jensen has struck out 117 and walked 27 in 100 innings while holding opposing batters to a .217 average.
The selection of Jensen was unexpected, as he was ranked No. 99 on MLB Network's prospect list while analyst Jim Callis called the pick the "first big surprise of the draft." Nonetheless, the Cubs were pleased and trust their evaluation.
"Ryan much more than a power arm to us," Cubs senior vice president of scouting and player development Jason McLeod said. "He has a lot of traits we were looking for as far as athleticism and pitch traits themselves. He does throw hard -- in the upper 90s to 100 mph. He has carried that velocity deep into starts. We love life to the heater. His slider, we like the development path that has taken. The improvements he has made this year is in strike throwing, missing bats and getting the ball hit on the ground with the power sinker he has."
Jensen was named a second-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball and also voted as the Mountain West Pitcher of the Year. He has posted a 4.42 ERA in 63 appearances, including 27 starts, with 208 strikeouts in 211 innings in his three collegiate seasons.
Jensen was recommended by area scout Gabe Zappin. McLeod didn't commit to whether the Cubs envision Jensen as a future starter or bullpen member.
"What he will be in the end is yet to be determined," McLeod said. "We certainly think he has the attributes to start, especially the way he uses his two- and four-seamers. We are excited to get him into our pitching lab. We are excited about having Ryan in the organization."
In the second round, the Cubs selected UCLA second baseman Chase Strumpf at No. 64 overall. Strumpf, 21, was hitting .280 with eight homers, 41 RBIs, 51 runs and an .886 OPS in 59 games entering play Monday. The top national seed, UCLA was facing Loyola Marymount in a win-or-go-home game in the Los Angeles Regional on Monday evening, with the victor advancing to Super Regionals.
Strumpf was recommended by area scout Tom Myers.
The MLB amateur draft continues Tuesday with rounds three through 10.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
