Top 100 prospect Wagner falls to Cubs in 15th round

CHICAGO -- The Cubs selected the college roommate of Kris Bryant, the No. 2 overall pick, with their 15th-round pick in the First-Year Player Draft on Saturday, taking San Diego right-hander Michael Wagner.

Taken 438th overall, he was ranked as the 58th-best Draft prospect, according to MLB.com.

Wagner was dynamite in the closer role for San Diego as a sophomore a year ago, saving 19 games with a 2.58 ERA, earning second-team All-American honors by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and third-team honors from Baseball America.

He moved back into the rotation as a junior, going 2-5 with a 4.55 ERA in 23 games (11 starts). He struck out 84 batters in 89 innings, but was bit by the long ball, surrendering eight home runs.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound righty has a three-pitch mix with a sinking fastball and legitimate changeup. His breaking ball, while raw, has the chance to develop into an average Major League pitch. Those tools make him an intriguing starting pitching prospect, with his proven ability to perform in relief a solid fall-back option.