Cubs draft 7 RHPs and a catcher on Day 2 of 2016 draft |
CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today made their first eight selections in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft, including third-round pick, right-handed pitcher Thomas Hatch out of Oklahoma State University. The third and final day of the draft is tomorrow with rounds 11-40.
Hatch, 21, is in his redshirt sophomore season at Oklahoma State, pitching to a 2.16 ERA (27 ER/112.1 IP) and a 7-2 record in 16 starts, including three shutouts. He has allowed just two home runs, walked 28 and struck out 102 batters, becoming the 13th pitcher in OSU history to reach the 100-strikeout mark in a single season. Hatch, recommended by area scout Ty Nichols, was named the Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Year and was named to the All-America Third Team by Baseball America. He shut out three-straight opponents – TCU, Texas and Prairie View A&M – to become just the 10th pitcher in Big 12 history to record three shutouts in a season. Hatch was selected by Colorado in the 32nd round of the 2013 Draft out of Jenks (Okla.) High School, but did not sign. OSU this weekend plays South Carolina in the NCAA Columbia Super Regional. The Cubs in the fourth round selected right-handed pitcher Tyson Miller out of California Baptist University. He went 9-3 with a 2.27 ERA (27 ER/107.0 IP), two complete games, one shutout and one save in 16 games (15 starts) for Cal Baptist this season. Miller pitched for Brewster in the Cape Cod League in 2015, in which he recorded a 1.44 ERA (4 ER/25.0 IP) and a 0.88 WHIP. Miller was recommended by area scout Alex Lontayo. Through their first eight picks, the Cubs have selected seven right-handed pitchers and one catcher, all college players. The Cubs this year surrendered their first and second round selections due to the free agent signings of right-handed pitcher John Lackey and outfielder Jason Heyward, both of whom rejected qualifying offers from St. Louis. Here is a look at Chicago’s first eight selections from the 2016 First-Year Player Draft:RD Pick Name School Pos CL HT WT DOB
4 134 Miller, Tyson California Baptist RHP R/R JR 6'4" 195lbs 07/29/95
5 164 Clark, Bailey Duke RHP R/R JR 6'4" 220lbs 12/03/94
6 194 Hockin, Chad Cal State Fullerton RHP R/R JR 6'2" 210lbs 10/07/94
7 224 Cruz, Michael Bethune-Cookman U C L/R JR 5'11" 210lbs 01/13/96
8 254 Ridings, Stephen Haverford Col RHP R/R JR 6'8" 220lbs 08/14/95
9 284 Robinson, Duncan Dartmouth Col RHP R/R SR 6'6" 220lbs 12/05/93
10 314 Mekkes, Dakota Michigan St RHP R/R SO 6'7" 250lbs 11/06/94
