Cubs reportedly sign undrafted free agent Kenten Egbert |
With the 2023 MLB Draft officially over, now is an essential time for organizations. Not only are they in the process of signing their draft picks, but you also have the undrafted market as an area to add players. Granted, the undrafted market is hit or miss when it comes to adding players, but the Cubs have had some success going this route, with Matt Mervis being their most recent success story.
While there is no limit to how many undrafted free agents you can add, nothing says you have to add any, as it all comes down to what you see within a player. The Cubs are one of the teams that have historically given players like this a shot, and this year is no exception, as they have reportedly added their first of what could be many more undrafted options. It comes in the form of right-handed pitcher Kenten Egbert from Miami University (OH). The big 6-3 205-pound righty is coming off a solid season with the Red Hawks, where he posted a 5-3 mark with a 3.96 ERA. He also added 99 strikeouts and was one of the better pitchers on the Miami staff. Initially a bullpen guy, Egbert has gradually moved into the rotation before being a full-time starter this past season. When you look at his film, you immediately notice his decision, as his high leg kick often throws a hitter's timing way off. In a sense, it does remind you a little bit of Matt Swarmer and how his deception worked during his time with the Cubs last season. Egbert was a borderline draft-day selection, but teams elected not to pull the trigger on him for whatever reason. That works in the Cub's favor, as he has always had the stuff. Pair that with his funky wind-up, and you could have a diamond in the rough worth looking at. While the overall tools have always been there, the results were just so-so, which is the most likely cause of why he went undrafted. In an era where teams drool over velocity instead of other attributes in a pitching repertoire, Egbert is a pleasant surprise, as he doesn't have the velocity that many of those guys have. That doesn't mean he can't overpower you, as he still averages 92-93 MPH with that heater, but when you pair that with his leg kick, it makes it look much faster. Along with his heater comes a steady diet of off-speed pitches, as Egbert has a solid four-pitch mix. Most would say his change-up is his best secondary offering, as that hovers around 81 MPH. He also throws in a pair of breaking pitches with a curveball and slider, although his curve is the better of the two. Both of those pitches sit in the 73-76 range and offer a ton of break as he can easily change the eye levels of hitters to make things difficult for them. Unlike the players that were taken in the draft that are guaranteed a spot once they sign that contract, Egbert has already signed, which means he can arrive at a team facility sooner than most. That allows him to meet the coaching staff, and he can continue getting back to pitching before anyone else. Should that happen, it gives him a more considerable advantage to be taken seriously, and any advantage in this day and age is huge. Egbert will have his work cut out for him, but he will also be willing to take that challenge head-on. Look for him to head to Mesa for a few weeks before jumping to Myrtle Beach in August. This is a rather intriguing pickup for the Cubs and one that could provide both short and long-term benefits.
