Cubs finish first night of 2013 first-year player draft, select third baseman Kris Bryant with first pick
Chicago selects LHP Rob Zastryzny with second round selection
The Chicago Cubs tonight made two selections in the opening rounds of the 2013 Major League First-Year Player Draft, including right-handed hitting third baseman Kris Bryant out of the University of San Diego with the second overall pick. In the second round, the Cubs selected left-handed pitcher Robert Zastryzny from the University of Missouri.
Bryant was recommended by area scout Alex Lontayo, and Zastryzny was recommended by area scout Ty Nichols.
Bryant, 20, hit .329 (75-for-228) with 80 runs scored, 13 doubles, three triples, 31 home runs and 62 RBI in 62 games for the Toreros this season, his junior year. His 31 home runs led the nation and are a USD single-season record. Bryant also led the nation in runs scored, walks (66) and slugging percentage (.820). His 54 career home runs in three years at USD are a school record.
Named a finalist for the 2013 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award, the 6-foot, 5-inch, 215-pound Bryant also led the Toreros in total bases (187), while striking out just 44 times in 302 plate appearances. In addition, Bryant was named the Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Year to go along with All-Tournament Team honors at the West Coast Conference Championships. The Louisville Slugger National Player of the Year sported a .946 fielding percentage at third base (9 E/166 TC).
Baseball America listed Bryant as the top position prospect available in the draft, and the third-best overall. The publication ranks him as the top college power hitter available and third-best with regards to strike zone judgment.
Zastryzny, 21, posted a 3.38 ERA (34 ER/90.2 IP) with three complete games, one shutout and a 2-9 record for Missouri in his junior year this season. He struck out 82 in 90.2 innings compared to just 24 walks in his 13 starts, holding opponents to a .266 batting average. In his 2012 sophomore campaign, he struck out 76 batters compared to just 31 walks while compiling a 5-5 record.
His 228 career strikeouts in three seasons at Missouri rank tied for eighth-most in school history. The 6-foot, 3-inch, 193-pound Zastryzny was raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, and was 17-1 with a 0.20 ERA and 198 strikeouts in his senior season for Calallen High School.
The 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft continues tomorrow at 12 p.m. CT with rounds three-through-10 and concludes Saturday with rounds 11-through-40.