It's drafty in Chicago

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It’s not news to any Chicago baseball fan that the Cubs are up and the White Sox are down.  The difference in their relative positions can be attributed to, in large part, to the disparity of their success in the first round of the MLB draft.  Recently the Chicago Tribune ran a list of each team’s first pick in the last ten years of the draft.  The results are telling.

The envelop please

A huge part of the Cubs core is the result of their first round prowess.  Included in the Cubs first round picks over the last ten years are Albert Almora Jr., Kris Bryant, Kyle Schawarber and Ian Happ.  Not bad.

Meanwhile, the Sox first round picks include only Tim Anderson and Carlos Rodon who figure to be with the team in any significant role.  It’s true that Chris Sale was a home run as a first round pick and was traded for prospects, but more about that later.

The Cubs also drafted Andrew Cashner with their first round pick in the 2008 draft.  Cashner was traded for Anthony Rizzo.  That makes the Cubs 2008 draft look pretty good.

Some good Sox news

In general, the Sox have had more success drafting pitchers than position players.  The idea of packaging Chris Sale for a number of prospects headed up by Yoan Moncada seems like a good idea. At some point Moncada figures to be a dynamic offensive force.  In the 2018 draft, the Sox selected Oregon middle infielder, Nick Madrigal.  I’m no college baseball expert, but the scouting reports I’m reading on Nick indicate he’s the best contact hitter in college and a gold glove caliber second baseman.  The Sox could use a guy like that.  Some fans may worry about a duplication of talent; I’m more concerned about a lack of talent. Hopefully Madrigal can help alleviate that condition.

Maybe Anderson or Moncada will change positions.  I’m not convinced Anderson will ever be a solid defensive shortstop.  Anderson has shown surprising power and is very athletic.  It seems to me, he might be a candidate to man center field.  Regardless, I’m glad to see the Sox draft a ballplayer and not a tools guy.

American Pickers, Theo Epstein version

Mike Montgomery has had a great stretch as a starter recently.  The acquisition of Montgomery for Ryan Vogelbach is one of the best low profile moves Theo Epstein has made.

Everything isn't Jake with Arrieta

After Sunday’s Phillies’ loss to the Giants, Jake Arrieta went off on the team.  Jake was very critical of Phillies defensive shifts.  A lot has been made about the Cubs signing Yu Darvish instead of Jake Arrieta.  Actually, I put that more on Jake than the Cubs.  I believe the Cubs offered Jake more money than the Phillies did, but Jake didn’t like the Cubs negotiating tactics so he ended up in Philadelphia for less money.  I believe Jake may have a case of buyer’s remorse.