(670 The Score) After their first-round draft picks from 2011 through 2015 provided massive contributions during their later championship-contending window, the Cubs are again looking for such impact from the next wave of talent and will have another chance to add to the endeavor when the MLB amateur draft begins Sunday.
Vice president of scouting Dan Kantrovitz recently met with all of his scouts together for the first time in more than 15 months after the pandemic had altered the operation. The feedback he received from his scouts and his viewing experience at the first-ever MLB Draft Combine back in June will inform the decisions of Kantrovitz and the Cubs, who hold the No. 21 pick in the first round.
"It's a fun time for the organization with all of us being together in the war room and debating which players they like or don't," Kantrowitz said. "We were all thirsty to do this again – not just the scouts but the entire front office.
"When you look at our draft process, what I look most forward to is the opportunity to collaborate with our scouts. It means we have upwards of 25 really talented evaluators out in the field. The reason we bring them all to Chicago is so we can have the opportunity to collaborate all in person."
The MLB draft in 2020 was only five rounds due to the pandemic. This draft will be 20 rounds, down from the usual 40 of rounds prior to the pandemic hitting.
"Part of our strategy must be reactive," Kantrovitz said. "You must be patient in this process. We must be opportunistic and be aggressive there and not rule anything out."
After No. 21, the Cubs' next three picks come at No. 56, No. 93 and No. 123.
"The way I look at the draft is the good clubs stack one good pick and one good decision after another," president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. "They do that year after year. When you do that, you end up with a really quality system."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
