Cubs sign top Draft pick Little, 13 others
Taken No. 27 overall, left-hander inks deal for $2.2 million
CHICAGO -- The Cubs announced Thursday they have signed left-handed pitcher Brendon Little, the 27th pick overall in the Major League Draft. MLB.com's Jim Callis reported that Little signed for $2.2 million.
The Cubs also announced on Thursday they have signed 13 other Draft picks, including right-hander Cory Abbott (second round), right-hander Keegan Thompson (third round), right-hander Erich Uelmen (fourth round), left-hander Ricky Tyler Thomas (seventh round), infielder Austin Filiere (eighth round), and outfielder Chris Carrier (ninth round).
Other Draft picks who have signed include right-hander Brian Glowicki (10th round), right-hander Casey Ryan (18th round), right-hander Brendan King (20th round), right-hander Sean Barry (21st round), right-hander Mitch Stophel (25th round), right-hander Jake Steffens (29th round) and infielder Cam Balego (30th round).
• Cubs Draft Tracker
Little, 20, averaged 14.03 strikeouts per nine innings in his sophomore season with the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota in Bradenton, Fla. He finished with 133 Ks over 85 1/3 innings and walked 33 while posting a 2.53 ERA. He has a fastball that typically registers in the low to mid 90s, but he can reach as high as 97 mph.
Callis also reported that Thompson signed for $511,900, Filiere signed for $148,500 and Uelmen signed for $382,300, the 135th pick's slot value. Uelmen, a right-hander out of Cal Poly, can run his fastball up to 95 mph, but he relies more on sink than velocity, per Callis.