4 takeaways from the Chicago Cubs draft class, including a heavy emphasis on players from the ACC and SEC

The MLB draft format changed this year, compressing 20 rounds into two days instead of three, forcing the Chicago Cubs' staff into a demanding schedule. After completing Rounds 1-3 on Sunday night, staff left Wrigley Field around 1 a.m. Monday and returned just four hours later, at 5 a.m., to start Rounds 4-20.

Cubs amateur scouting director Dan Kantrovitz acknowledged the quick turnaround disrupted the usual rhythm and described Monday as an "exhausting" but "pretty fun" long day, stating "that's how a draft should be." He believes the Cubs executed their pre-draft plan "to a T" through at least the sixth round.

Their selections included left-handed-hitting outfielders Ethan Conrad (Wake Forest) and Kane Kepley (North Carolina) with the first two picks. A key strategy was acquiring pitching volume, resulting in seven college pitchers drafted with their final ten picks, specifically targeting starters.

Kantrovitz anticipates signing 18 or 19 of their 20 draft picks. He did not express specific optimism about signing 19th-round pick, third baseman Caleb Barnett (an Alabama commit).