Chicago Cubs Draft Prospect Target: Tre Phelps

Mark Rebilas - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - 4 hours ago

Although it's still very early in the 2025 NCAA and MLB baseball seasons, it's never too early to start planning for the future. Along with Spring Training, there is the Japan Series, and, of course, the regular season, along with several other key dates, plays a role in baseball.

That includes the three-day spectacle known as the MLB draft, during which high school and college players patiently await hearing their names called to begin their professional journey. Regarding the Cubs and what their draft could look like, this team has been hovering around the .500 mark the past few seasons and has won 83 games in back-to-back years.

While the consistency of that is worth noting, the team has failed to make the playoffs since 2020 and was again on the outside looking in by just a handful of games last season. That result puts them in a very tough position come draft weekend, as the Cubs are slated to pick 17th overall in the first round of the 2025 MLB draft.

Unlike most drafts where first-round picks tend to pan out in some aspect, the MLB draft is a complete crapshoot as you never know if a player will sign with you, let alone have the success both parties intend them to have. There is a reason why the MLB draft is 20 rounds and why there is an extensive Minor League system. More often than not, MLB draft picks don't pan out, but the Cubs have had a ton of luck in recent drafts, as most of their early-round selections appear to be locked in.

Looking to keep that trend going this season, the Cubs will have plenty of options when they are on the clock, with 3B/OF prospect Tre Phelps as a legitimate option. Seen as the 18th-best prospect in the country, Phelps is the type of player the Cubs are looking for, and at 6-2 and 202 pounds, he draws a lot of physical similarities to Cam Smith.

A Georgia-State Native, Phelps was the top High School recruit in Georgia for the class of 2023, and he wound up signing with the Bulldogs following a tremendous senior season. Despite taking a few months to see regular playing time with the Bulldogs last season, Phelps went on to have a very productive freshman season and is poised to break out in 2025.

Across his 42 games with the Bulldogs last season, Phelps registered a slash line of .353/.441/.699 and added 12 homers to that line. He posted those numbers while being one of the more versatile players in the country, as he started 34 games this season at all four infield and outfield corners, as well as DH. When it comes to a team like the Cubs, which thrives on versatility, Phelps fits the mold they are looking for in a player.

Despite being just a sophomore this season, there aren't too many players in the country that can match Phelps's ability to make consistent and hard contact. His combination of bat speed and strength allows him to produce some of the top exit velocities in the game while launching balls from foul line to foul line.

As expected, Phelps did have some issues adjusting to pitching last season and got very chase-happy, especially early in the season. He did a much better job cutting down on his chases with consistent playing time, and should that trend continue, he has the potential to do even more damage this season and beyond.

One of the issues many scouts have with him at this stage is his tendency to sell out for power instead of letting his pure abilities do the work for him. That often leads to an uphill swing and more strikeouts than you would like to see. You also have to look at the other aspects of his game, including his base running ability.

He's not the fastest guy on the field. Phelps has average to slightly above average speed, but once he gets going, he can move with the best of them. Defensively, Phelps is versatile enough to move all over the diamond and well at any of those positions. Despite possessing one of the stronger arms, his inaccurate throwing arm makes him a liability, which is why he spent plenty of time as a DH last season.

Looking at his long-term projections, many have Phelps penciled in as a corner outfielder, but don't be surprised to see him as a third or first baseman. Either way, he is an excellent option with pick No. 17.