Cubs sign RHP Stinnett, LHP Sands, LHP Steele and RHP Norwood from 2014 Draft
The Chicago Cubs have signed second-round selection Jake Stinnett, fourth-round selection Carson Sands, fifth-round selection Justin Steele and seventh-round selection James Norwood from the 2014 First-Year Player Draft. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Stinnett, 22, posted a 2.67 ERA (35 ER/118.0 IP) and an 8-6 record in 17 games, all but one in a starting role, for Maryland this season in his senior year. He struck out a school single-season record and Atlantic Coast Conference-high 132 batters and walked just 30. Stinnett also led the ACC in complete games (four) and innings pitched, and became the seventh pitcher in program history to throw a no-hitter when he turned the trick in game one of a March 1 doubleheader against Massachusetts.
Sands, 19, was 11-1 with a 0.58 ERA and one complete game in 14 outings, 12 starts, for North Florida Christian this past season. He struck out 100 in 60.2 innings, good for an average of 14.8 strikeouts per 9.0 innings, while walking just 24. The southpaw posted a 1.28 ERA while going 7-2 in 11 games (nine starts) in his 2013 junior season. Sands pitched for Team USA for three summers, winning a gold medal with the 18-and-under team in 2012.
Steele, 18, was 5-1 with a 0.98 ERA in eight games for George County this past season. He struck out 92 in 43.0 innings, good for an average of 19.3 strikeouts per 9.0 innings. He walked just 12 and threw two no-hitters. He was named 5A Player of the Year by state coaches. Steele went 14-4 with a 1.62 ERA in three high school seasons at the varsity level, striking out 210 in 125.1 innings of work for an average of 15.1 strikeouts per 9.0 innings while issuing just 40 walks and allowing one home run.
Norwood, 20, went 8-2 with a 2.68 ERA (28 ER/94.0 IP) in 15 starts this season to cap off a three-year college career at St. Louis University.
Here is a look at Chicago's selections from the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, with the players currently having signed in bold:
| Rd. (pick No.) | Player | Pos. | School | Birthday | B | T | Ht. | Wt. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (4) | Kyle Schwarber | C | Indiana University | 3/5/93 | L | R | 6-0 | 235 |
| 2 (45) | Jake Stinnett | RHP | University of Maryland | 4/25/92 | R | R | 6-4 | 205 |
| 3 (78) | Mark Zagunis | C | Virginia Tech | 2/5/93 | R | R | 6-0 | 205 |
| 4 (109) | Carson Sands | LHP | North Florida Christian H.S. | 3/28/95 | L | L | 6-3 | 205 |
| 5 (139) | Justin Steele | LHP | George County H.S. (Miss.) | 7/11/95 | L | L | 6-1 | 180 |
| 6 (169) | Dylan Cease | RHP | Milton H.S. (Ga.) | 12/28/95 | R | R | 6-1 | 175 |
| 7 (199) | James Norwood | RHP | St. Louis University (Mo.) | 12/24/93 | R | R | 6-2 | 205 |
| 8 (229) | Tommy Thorpe | LHP | University of Oregon | 9/20/92 | L | L | 6-0 | 195 |
| 9 (259) | James Farris | RHP | University of Arizona | 4/4/92 | R | R | 6-2 | 220 |
| 10 (289) | Ryan Williams | RHP | East Carolina University (N.C.) | 11/1/91 | R | R | 6-4 | 220 |
| 11 (319) | Jordan Brink | RHP | Fresno State (Calif.) | 3/18/93 | L | R | 6-0 | 200 |
| 12 (349) | Tanner Griggs | RHP | Angelina College (Texas) | 6/14/94 | R | R | 6-2 | 175 |
| 13 (379) | Kevonte Mitchell | 3B | Kennett H.S. (Mo.) | 8/12/95 | R | R | 6-4 | 185 |
| 14 (409) | Chesny Young | 2B | Mercer University (Ga.) | 10/6/92 | R | R | 6-1 | 180 |
| 15 (439) | Jeremy Null | RHP | Western Carolina (N.C.) | 9/27/93 | R | R | 6-7 | 225 |
| 16 (469) | Jason Vosler | SS | Northeastern (Mass.) | 9/6/93 | L | R | 6-2 | 195 |
| 17 (499) | Michael Knighton | RHP | Central Alabama C.C. | 4/30/94 | R | R | 6-2 | 190 |
| 18 (529) | Austyn Willis | RHP | Barstow H.S. (Calif.) | 6/13/96 | R | R | 6-6 | 205 |
| 19 (559) | Brad Markey | RHP | Virginia Tech | 3/3/92 | R | R | 5-10 | 185 |
| 20 (589) | John Tomasovich | SS | Charleston Southern Univ. (S.C.) | 11/6/91 | R | R | 6-3 | 185 |
| 21 (619) | Charles White | OF | University of Maryland | 11/13/91 | L | L | 5-9 | 180 |
| 22 (649) | Joey Martarano | 3B | Boise State (Idaho) | 7/28/94 | R | R | 6-4 | 235 |
| 23 (679) | Isiah Gilliam | OF | Parkview H.S. (Ga.) | 7/23/96 | S | R | 6-2 | 215 |
| 24 (709) | Daniel Spingola | CF | Georgia Tech | 5/5/93 | L | L | 6-1 | 180 |
| 25 (739) | Tyler Pearson | C | Texas State University | 4/15/92 | R | R | 6-0 | 200 |
| 26 (769) | Zach Hedges | RHP | Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) | 10/21/92 | R | R | 6-4 | 195 |
| 27 (799) | Calvin Graves | CF | Franklin Pierce University (N.H.) | 3/18/91 | R | R | 5-9 | 170 |
| 28 (829) | Jacob Niggemeyer | RHP | Olentangy Liberty H.S. (Ohio) | 11/30/95 | R | R | 6-5 | 205 |
| 29 (859) | Gianni Zayas | RHP | Seminole State College (Fla.) | 4/18/94 | R | R | 6-2 | 200 |
| 30 (889) | Michael Cantu | C | Foy H. Moody H.S. (Texas) | 8/28/95 | R | R | 6-3 | 225 |
| 31 (919) | Brad Deppermann | RHP | East Lake H.S. (Fla.) | 6/15/96 | R | R | 6-0 | 175 |
| 32 (949) | Andrew Ely | 2B | University of Washington | 1/23/93 | L | R | 5-10 | 180 |
| 33 (979) | Brad Bass | RHP | Lincoln-Way Central H.S. (Ill.) | 2/15/96 | R | R | 6-6 | 215 |
| 34 (1,009) | Steven Kane | RHP | Cypress College (Calif.) | 5/28/93 | R | R | 6-4 | 205 |
| 35 (1,039) | Jordan Minch | LHP | Purdue University (Ind.) | 7/16/93 | L | L | 6-3 | 190 |
| 36 (1,069) | DJ Peters | OF | Glendora H.S. (Calif.) | 12/12/95 | R | R | 6-5 | 210 |
| 37 (1,099) | Riley Adams | C | Canyon Crest Academy (Calif.) | 6/26/96 | R | R | 6-5 | 190 |
| 38 (1,129) | Daniel Wasinger | C | Eastlake H.S. (Texas) | 11/14/95 | R | R | 5-11 | 170 |
| 39 (1,159) | David Petrino | C | Central Arizona College | 1/14/94 | R | R | 5-11 | 200 |
| 40 (1,189) | Diamond Johnson | CF | Hillsborough H.S. (Fla.) | 3/17/96 | R | R | 5-11 | 165 |