Cubs sign nine more selections from MLB 2024 Draft

Mark Rebilas - USA Today Sports

by Cubs Media Relations - Fri Jul 26 13:27:17 GMT-04:00 2024

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today announced they have agreed to terms with nine more players from the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, including fourth round infielder Ty Southisene from Basic High School (Nev.) and 11th round outfielder Eli Lovich from Blue Valley West High School (Kan.). The Cubs have now agreed to terms with 19 of 20 overall selections from the draft. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.

In addition to Southisene and Lovich, the Cubs have agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Evan Aschenbeck (13th round), first baseman Cameron Sisneros (14th round), left-handed pitcher Hayden Frank (15th round), left-handed pitcher Christian Gordon (16th round), right-handed pitcher Thomas Mangus (18th round), catcher Owen Ayers (19th round) and right-handed pitcher Brayden Risedorph (20th round).

Southisene, 19, slashed .495/.560/.705 in 116 plate appearances during his senior season at Basic High School in Nevada, tallying 11 doubles, three triples, one home run and 20 stolen bases. Southisene participated in the All-American Classic this past season and was named the MVP. The Henderson, Nev. native is ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 1 overall prospect in Nevada and was previously committed to the University of Tennessee.

Southisene was recommended by area scout Steve McFarland.

An Overland Park, Kan. native, Lovich completed his high school career this season by hitting .402 (39-for-97) with eight doubles, six triples, five home runs, 15 stolen bases, a .482 OBP and a 1.245 OPS for Blue Valley West High School (Kan.) in 2024. Rated by Perfect Game as the No. 1 outfielder and No. 3 overall recruit in the state of Kansas, Lovich was committed to play collegiately at the University of Arkansas.

Lovich was recommended by area scout Ty Nichols.

Aschenbeck, 23, this season recorded an SEC-leading 10 saves for Texas A&M, going 6-1 with a 1.78 ERA (15 ER/75.2 IP) in 32 games in relief. He recorded 87 strikeouts, compared to only 12 walks in 75.2 innings pitched. For his work in 2024, he was rewarded with First Team All-SEC honors, as well as being named the 2024 NCBWA Stopper of the Year.

Aschenbeck was recommended by area scout Will Swoope.

The six-foot three-inch, 230-pound Sisneros was named the 2024 SoCon Player of the Year, after he batted .369 (79-for-214) with 16 doubles, 23 home runs, 86 RBI, a .493 on-base percentage and a 1.259 OPS. The 86 RBI this season set a single-season school record, passing Paul Hoilman’s 84 RBI in 2010. All told in two seasons with the Buccaneers, Sisneros batted a combined .376 (161-for-428) with 39 home runs, 145 RBI, a .483 OBP and a 1.212 OPS in 111 games.

Sisneros was recommended by area scout M’Lynn Dease.

Here is a look at Chicago’s 20 selections from the 2024 First-Year Player Draft (players in bold have agreed to terms with the club):

Rd. (Pick) Player Pos. School Birthday B T Ht. Wt.

1 (14) Cam Smith 3B Florida State University 2/22/03 R R 6-3 229

2 (54) Cole Mathis 3B College of Charleston (S.C.) 7/25/03 R R 6-1 210

3 (90) Ronny Cruz SS Miami Christian School (Fla.) 8/24/06 R R 6-2 170

4 (120) Ty Southisene SS Basic High School (Nev.) 7/8/05 R R 5-9 170

5 (153) Ariel Armas C University of San Diego 11/29/02 R R 6-0 185

6 (182) Ryan Gallagher RHP University of California, Santa Barbara 1/19/03 L R 6-4 220

7 (212) Ivan Brethowr OF University of California, Santa Barbara 2/27/03 R R 6-6 250

8 (242) Edgar Alvarez 1B Nicholls State University (La.) 2/19/01 L R 6-4 230

9 (272) Brooks Caple RHP Lamar University (Tex.) 8/23/02 R R 6-6 230