Cubs select hometown star in first round of 2020 MLB Draft |
Wednesday, June 10, 2020, 9:06 PM | -

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs tonight selected shortstop Ed Howard out of Mount Carmel High School in Chicago with the 16th overall pick in the 2020 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Howard was recommended by area scout John Pedrotty.
Howard, 18, batted .421 (48-for-114) with 11 doubles, four triples and three homers in 35 games during his 2019 junior season with Mount Carmel. He was named a 2020 pre-season All-American by Perfect Game, but his 2020 high school campaign was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The right-handed hitting Howard played in the 2019 Under Armour All-America Game at Wrigley Field, and last year was a member of Team USA’s 18-under club.
Howard was the starting shortstop on the 2014 Jackie Robinson West Little League Team that advanced to the finals of the Little League World Series.
The six-foot, two-inch, 185-pound Howard becomes the first Illinois high school position player to be selected in the first round of the MLB draft since Jayson Werth in 1997. Howard has committed to the University of Oklahoma.
The 2020 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft concludes tomorrow with rounds two-through-five.
With the 16th pick in the 2020 MLB draft, the Cubs select high school shortstop Ed Howard from Chicago, Illinois.
— Cubs Live (@Cubs_Live) June 11, 2020
Home town kid! pic.twitter.com/yYXgpFxvyQ
Oh my gosh. The Cubs take Ed Howard, the local shortstop from Mount Carmel linked to the White Sox. I love this pick. I love a hometown kid staying in Chicago. This is good for the organization and GREAT for the city. An African-American prospect with special skills, character.
— David Haugh (@DavidHaugh) June 11, 2020
Staying in Chicago!
— MLBDevelops (@MLBDevelops) June 11, 2020
One of our own, @ehowardIV goes No. 16 overall to the @Cubs. pic.twitter.com/1PmVSs28x3
With the 16th pick in the 2020 MLB Draft the Chicago #Cubs select Ed Howard, from Mt. Carmel High School, local Chicago kid. Great pick up and adds amazing depth for the middle infield! pic.twitter.com/B5AHGMjaLi
— Cubs Zone ™? (@CubsZone) June 11, 2020
Cubs got a special talent in Ed Howard. He went through the White Sox ACE program. Wish the White Sox got him. But he's a Chicago kid getting drafted by a Chicago team. Good for him, and the Cubs.
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) June 11, 2020
The Chicago kid is staying home—the Cubs make @ehowardIV the 16th overall pick in the MLB Draft. He grew up a White Sox fan, but I think he’s okay switching allegiances now.
— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) June 11, 2020
Check out the reaction. @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/lt8ApqkwZm
The #Cubs tonight selected shortstop Ed Howard out of Mount Carmel High School in Chicago with the 16th overall pick in the 2020 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. pic.twitter.com/PQCDQpTLv6
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 11, 2020
Congrats to RBI alum @ehowardIV on being drafted No. 16 overall by the @Cubs! #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/vPwnTvDLpc
— MLBRBI (@MLBRBI) June 11, 2020
Jackie Robinson Little League in Chicago. @LittleLeague World Series.
— Play Ball (@PlayBall) June 11, 2020
Drafted in the first round by the @Cubs. @ehowardIV is living a dream. #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/SwMJ8Umg3q
.@TimAnderson7 has been a mentor to Ed Howard. What does TA think about him being drafted by the Cubs?
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) June 11, 2020
“It’s all love. He’ll be a piece that’s needed in Chicago to inspire as well.”
It’s possible the Cubs starting shortstops at 7 levels next year look like this.
— Cubs Prospects - Bryan Smith (@cubprospects) June 11, 2020
Chicago: Javy Baez
AAA: Nico Hoerner (if not: Zack Short)
AA: Aramis Ademan
A+: Andy Weber
A: Luis Verdugo
A-: Ed Howard
R: Cristian Hernandez
I couldn’t even fit Kevin Made!
????????
Congratulations Ed Howard, 16th Pick in the first round by the Chicago Cubs! We are incredibly happy for Ed and the entire Howard family! #WeAreMC. #StayinginChicago pic.twitter.com/ylSLjiOC2O
— Mount Carmel H.S. (@MountCarmelHS) June 11, 2020