For the fifth consecutive year, the Chicago Cubs opted to go the college route with their top draft pick.
The Cubs selected Wake Forest outfielder Ethan Conrad at No. 17 in the first round of the 2025 MLB draft on Sunday. He was listed as the No. 28 prospect for the draft by MLB.com.
Conrad was limited to 21 games this season due to a season-ending surgery in April after sustaining a left shoulder injury diving for a ball in March. The 6-foot-3 slugger posted a .372/.495/.744 slash line with seven home runs, eight doubles and 27 RBIs prior to the injury. He showed a good plate approach, drawing 18 walks to 14 strikeouts.
Conrad, 21, spent his first two collegiate seasons at Marist where he produced a .389 average, .467 on-base percentage and .704 slugging percentage with nine home runs and a NCAA Division I-leading 13 triples in 2024.
He followed with a great showing last summer in the Cape Cod League, where he finished second in batting average (.385) and OPS (.919).
Conrad graduated from Saugerties (New York) High School in 2022.