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2023 MLB Draft Day 2: Recapping Cubs draft picks 3-10
The Cubs focused on infielders and college players on the second day of the 2023 MLB Draft on Monday after selecting Matt Shaw (Maryland) and Jaxon Wiggins (Arkansas) with their first two picks of Day 1. They selected two middle infielders, a first baseman and a catcher, and six of their picks come from the college ranks.
Here is a recap of the Cubs’ eight Day 2 selections:
Round 3 (81st overall): Josh Rivera, SS, Florida
Outside of No. 4 overall pick Wyatt Langford, Rivera was arguably the most consistent hitter for the national champion runner-up Florida Gators in 2023. In 70 games played, he put together a .348/.447/.617 slash line with 19 home runs and 72 RBIs while leading the team with 18 stolen bases.
Round 4 (113th overall): Will Sanders, RHP, South Carolina
Sanders spent three years with South Carolina where he amassed 17 wins across 51 appearances. He peaked in his sophomore campaign in 2022 when he posted a 3.43 ERA with 91 strikeouts to 31 walks in 89 1/3 innings of work.
He features a low-to-mid 90s fastball along with a changeup, curveball and slider — all of which sit in the low-to-mid 80s.
Round 5 (149th overall): Michael Carico, C, Davidson
Carico’s stellar sophomore season in 2022 put him on the radar for MLB teams after he struggled through injury during his freshman year. He put together a stellar .406/.559/.843 slash line in 2022 before cooling off a bit in 2023. His upside at the plate makes up for his struggles when it comes to speed and athleticism.
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Round 6 (176th overall): Alfonsin Rosario, OF, P27 Academy (S.C.)
Rosario was the first high school player and first outfielder taken by the Cubs in the 2023 MLB draft. Having just turned 19 years old in June, he is Perfect Game’s No. 1 ranked high school prospect out of South Carolina with a combination of explosive power and a strong outfield arm.
Round 7 (206th overall): Yahil Melendez, SS, B You Academy (P.R.)
The Cubs returned to the infield with the selection of Melendez, Perfect Game’s No. 6 ranked prospect out of Puerto Rico. The Rice University commit holds a 65 fielding grade and a 62 hitting grade according to Baseball Factory.
Round 8 (236th overall): Brett Bateman, OF, Minnesota
The sixth college prospect selected by the Cubs, Bateman flashed his ability to reach base in his time with Minnesota. The lefty put together a .355/.451/.407 slash line in 2023 for the Gophers while also leading the team in hits (67) and stolen bases (17).
Bateman has put together a strong summer in the Cape Cod League with an 1.106 OPS across 13 games with the Cotuit Kettleers.
Round 9 (266th overall): Jonathon Long, 1B, Long Beach State
After slashing .312/.404/.600 in 2023, Long became the first first baseman selected by the Cubs in the 2023 draft. He led the Dirtbags in hits (67), home runs (15), RBIs (52) and total bases (129) in his third year with the team.
Round 10 (296th overall): Luis Martinez-Gomez, RHP, Temple College (Texas)
The Cubs closed out their Day 2 picks with the selection of Martinez-Gomez, who posted a 2.83 ERA across 15 appearances in 2023. He recorded 7.92 strikeouts per nine innings while allowing just three home runs across his 63 2/3 innings of work.
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