Cubs take big, hard-throwing prep righty Clifton

CHICAGO -- The Cubs continued to add pitching with their 12th-round selection in the First-Year Player Draft on Saturday, taking prep right-hander Trevor Clifton, who is committed to Kentucky.

Clifton displayed a high-velocity fastball and solid curve and changeup at Heritage (Tenn.) High School as a senior, striking out 79 batters in 39 2/3 innings. He also had a 3.35 ERA and .226 batting average against.

The 6-foot-4, 170 pounder's fastball sits in the low 90s, but has touched as high as 97 mph. He has room to add strength, good arm action and a good feel for pitching, though his delivery still needs to be cleaned up.