Cubs Get Exciting Prep Infielder in Latest MLB Mock Draft

The Chicago Cubs have the No. 13 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and it’s starting to look like there is a wide field of players for them to choose from.

MLB.com recently posted its latest mock draft, making the point that the Cubs have spent their first-round pick on college pitching in four of the last five drafts. Two of those pitchers — Cade Horton and Jordan Wicks — are among the Cubs’ Top 5 prospects.

So, naturally, MLB.com went with a position player for the Cubs at No. 13, and a prep one at that — shortstop Arjun Nimmala of Strawberry Crest High School in Dover, Fla.

But, MLB.com points out the Cubs could go in a lot of directions:

The Cubs would love a shot at (Wake Forest pitcher Rhett) Lowder and could consider (Florida pitcher Hurston) Waldrep, either of whom would be the fourth college pitcher they've taken in the last five first rounds. They’re mulling several prep infielders.

Nimmala is despite by perfectgame.org as a player with “lightning-fast hands, easy plus power and bat speed.” He projects as a middle infielder and he has a commitment to Florida State.

The first five picks of the mock draft held steady from previous mock drafts. The Pittsburgh Pirates took LSU outfielder Dylan Crews at No. 1 overall. The Washington Nationals took LSU pitcher Paul Skenes at No. 2. The Detroit Tigers selected Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford at No. 3. The Texas Rangers took outfielder Walker Jenkins from South Brunswick High School in Southport, N.C. The Minnesota Twins selected outfielder Max Clark from Franklin (Ind.) High School.

The MLB Draft will be held July 9-11 in Seattle during All-Star Weekend.