Cubs Draft Update

OF Brett Jackson was picked by the Cubbies for their first round pick of the 2009 MLB First Year Player Draft yesterday. Here's what the MLB Network guys had to say after the pick:

• He swings and misses a lot, but that is the only knock on him.
• Harold likes his tools, and thought he'd be a pick earlier in the draft.
• John Hart says that "they got a real good baseball player late in the first round.
• Frank Marcos says that the Cubs have to be excited about this pick, and said Jackson has ability, tools, and upside. Frank called it an excellent pick.
• John says he's a hitter, an athlete, and he get the most out his ability.
• He's a kid that will hit 12-20 home runs.
• He loves to play the game.
• Reynolds says that the strikeouts can be cut down.
• He runs pretty well and is a good outfielder.

Here's some more info and stats on Jackson:

• OF
• Bats Left Handed.
• College: University of California
• He's a big Cub fan, went to Cubs game on his birthday in 2007.
• Was a Junior is college.
• This season batted .321 in 53 games with 8 HR and 41 RBIs.

Video on Day 1 if Cubs Draft!

Cubs Second Pick: David LeMahieu:

• SS
• College: LSU
• Solid approach at the plate and good baseball instincts.
• 79th overall player taken
• B/T: Right
• Was drafted out of High School in the 41st round in 2007 but did not play.
• Hit .360 in 35 games this year with .456 OBP.

Cubs 3rd Pick: Austin Kirk:

• Drafted out of High School (Owassa High in Okla.)
• LHP
• Threw 2 no-hitters this year.
• Went 9-1 with an 0.45 ERA
• Batted .408 with 50 RBIs.
• He worked in the winter with Cory Patton of the Blue Jays organization.

Rest of Cubs Picks:

• Cubs 4th Round Pick: Chris Rusin, LHP, U Kentucky, Pick #140 overall.
• Cubs 5th round pick: Wesley Darvill, SS, Brookwood HS
• Cubs 6th round pick: Brooks Raley, LHP, Texas A&M, here's what MLB.com said on him:Click for scouting report on Raley.
• Cubs 7th round pick: Blair Springfield, IF, MacArthur HS ( from IL, B/T: right)
• 8th Round: Robert Whitenack, RHP, Suny Old Westbury College
• 9th: Richard Jones, C, The Citadel, Bats Left
• 10th: Joseph Thomas, 3B, Edward Waters Col
• 11th: John Mincone, Suffolk CC West, LHP
• 12th: Burundi Davis, OF, Howard Col
• 13th: Chad Taylor, SS, Jefferson HS
• 14th: Daniel Keefe, RHP, U Tampa
• 15th: Bryan Shields, CF, Auburn U Montgomery
• 16th: Keenyn Walker, CF, Switch Hitter, Judge Memorial Catholic HS
• 17th: Barrett Dail, RHP, Mt. Olive Col.

Other cubs Notes:

• The Cubs made a roster move today. They activated Aaron Miles from the 15 day DL and sent Jake Fox down to AAA-Iowa to make room on the roster for Miles. I don't like this move, Fox hits better than Blanco and Scales, but I see why they kept Blanco on the roster, he has been hitting as of late.
• Rich Harden's rehab start went well on Monday, he gave up 1 ER in 4.1 IP.
• Aramis Ramirez took soft grounders and swings with a fungo bat today. The Cubs are hoping he can hit with a normal bat soon!

I'll update you again on the Cubs draft tonight. The Cubs got a BIG win against the Astros yesterday, let's go get 2 in a row tonight!