This pick sort of settled down all the confusion that came from the first round selection of Ryan Jensen earlier in the day. After a pick that seemed like a reach in the first round, the Cubs seem to have gotten a steal and a first round talent in second baseman Chase Strumpf out of UCLA.

Strumpf is an offensive-minded middle infielder that appears to be destined for second base in pro ball. In high school, he actually manned shortstop at JSerra Catholic and bumped the 2017 first overall selection Royce Lewis over to second base.

Strumpf was the three hole hitter for the best team in the country this year, slashing .289/.431/.469. He actually performed better at the plate a season ago, where he put up an OPS of 1.108 with 12 bombs compared to his 7 dingers this season.

For Strumpf, it isn’t raw power that is his defining quality, but the kid can absolutely rake at the plate. He has an impressive hit tool and the power will come as he rises through the Cubs system. He is not the biggest guy in the world, so light tower power will never be a huge part of his game.

On the bases and in the field he doesn’t show a ton of speed but enough to be a serviceable base runner in addition to a quality glove at the keystone.

This pick is all about the bat and he showed it last night as he homered for UCLA against Loyola Marymount just seconds after his name was called in New Jersey at the draft. You can watch more of him as his team pushes on to Super Regionals in the NCAA Tournament next weekend.