I had a nice little outline going for the Cubs first selection of the 2019 MLB Draft that was pretty much set up perfectly for whoever the college bat was that they took. In a draft loaded with college bats and barren of college arms, this front office made one of the more surprising moves I’ve seen in a Major League Baseball draft.

When the time came around for the Cubs to make their pick, Michael Busch (North Carolina), Logan Davidson (Clemson), and Kameron Misner (Missouri) were all still sitting on the board ready to be taken by the power-absent Cubs farm system.

Instead the pick came in as Ryan Jensen, a starting pitcher out of Fresno State University. A starter during his time as a Bulldog, he features a fastball that sits in the high-90s, even deep into his starts. Jensen pairs his high velocity heater with a slider with good movement and a below average changeup.

Ultimately, it looks like Jensen will be moved to the bullpen where he can focus in on using his fastball-slider combination where he could potentially profile as a late inning reliever.

He will more than likely sign an under-slot signing bonus and save the Cubs some money in the future rounds. He was profiled as the number 109 prospect according to Baseball America and 99 according to MLB.com. Hopefully the Cubs will use that money saved in the upcoming rounds to get some higher ceiling options.

The Cubs will sit on their hands for a while now as they wait for the 64th pick to roll around later tonight.