The Cubs selected Ethan Conrad, an outfielder out of Wake Forest, with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft on Sunday.
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Conrad, the 28th-ranked Draft prospect per MLB Pipeline, is an aggressive hitter who chases plenty of pitches out of the zone, but his strong bat-to-ball skills make it work with his gap-to-gap approach.
After transferring to Wake Forest for his junior year after two seasons at Marist College, Conrad played in just eight games in 2025 before he injured his throwing shoulder diving for a ball. But the hitting skills he displayed before the injury further showcased the talent first seen at Marist. His .500 slugging percentage for the Demon Deacons followed a career .587 slugging mark for the Red Foxes.
In his sophomore season at Marist, Conrad hit .389 and slugged .704, which included nine homers and 13 triples — most in Division I. He also had a team-high 88 hits, which included 26 extra-base hits.
At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, he has the size and bat speed to produce average or better power in the Majors. However, some observers are concerned that he seldom drives the ball in the air to the pull side. He sometimes flashes plus-speed, but profiles slower overall.
On defense, he has good range, meaning he can play any of the outfield spots. His throwing arm is average, so he probably profiles best in right field. But he played mostly first base during his sophomore season at Marist, so he has versatility there, too.