Cubs sign 15 players from 2012 First-Year Player Draft

The Chicago Cubs have thus far signed 15 players selected in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, including right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn out of Heritage High School in Brentwood, Calif., who was drafted with the 56th overall pick (compensation round).

In addition, the list of Cubs signees thus far includes right-handed pitcher Josh Conway (fourth round), infielder Stephen Bruno (seventh round), left-handed pitcher Michael Heesch (eighth round) and catcher Chadd Krist (ninth round).

Blackburn, 18, went 8-3 with a 1.27 ERA for Heritage High School in 2012. He struck out 84 batters in 77.1 innings of work, good for an average of 9.8 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched, while walking just 17 hitters. In May of this season, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Blackburn recorded his first career no-hitter, striking out eight and walking two in a  6-0 win over state-ranked Deer Valley of Antioch.