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2022 MLB Draft Day 2: Cubs continue to stockpile pitching — including the son of a former MLB star

2 years agoTony Andracki

After selecting a pair of young arms on Day 1 of the 2022 MLB Draft, the Cubs continued that pattern Monday as Rounds 3-10 kicked off.

But first, VP of scouting Dan Kantrovitz opted for a preps shortstop by the name of Christopher Paciolla in the 3rd round (86th overall).

[MORE: Get to know Cubs 1st-round pick Cade Horton]

After Paciolla came seven straight pitchers, including the son of a former MLB star.

Here’s the full rundown from Day 2 of the draft:

Round 3 (86th overall): SS Christopher Paciolla

An 18-year-old out of Temecula Valley High School in California, Paciolla hits right-handed and is currently committed to UCLA.

Here’s MLB.com’s scouting report on the young infielder:

“He has a knack for making contact and does not swing and miss very often, using a very comfortable and relaxed setup in the box. He’s capable of driving the ball, with quick hands and bat speed pointing to a future ability to have good extra-base pop.

“While he is athletic, running isn’t really a big part of his game. That lack of speed could mean he doesn’t stay at shortstop long-term, though he has good hands and footwork. Paciolla has a solid arm, can make all the throws and likely would play well should he move to the hot corner, the spot most scouts see him playing at the next level.”

Round 4 (113th overall): RHP Nazier Mule

Mule was a 2-way player at Passaic County Technical Institute in New Jersey, also playing middle infield in addition to his work on the mound. The Cubs listed him as a pitcher with the draft pick, as he has reportedly touched 100 mph on the radar gun with his fastball as a 17-year-old.

He is currently committed to Miami and is a big kid, listed at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds.

Round 5 (143rd overall): RHP Brandon Birdsell

The 22-year-old righty out of Texas Tech sits 94-96 mph with his fastball and can touch 99 mph. He also boasts a slider and a changeup.

Birdsell was limited to only 8 games (7 starts) in 2021 due to a rotator cuff injury but he bounced back strong in 2022. He went 9-3 with a 2.75 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 85 innings, striking out 106 batters against only 29 walks.

Round 6 (173rd overall): RHP Will Frisch

The Cubs drafted the 22-year-old righty out of Oregon State after he underwent Tommy John surgery in March and missed his junior season.

As a sophomore, Frisch was 3-0 with a 2.38 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 20 games (6 starts). He struck out 8.58 batters per 9 innings and was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team.

Round 7 (203rd overall): RHP Nick Hull

The run on arms continues with the 22-year-old Grand Canyon University product. Hull was a reliever for much of his first 4 years in college but moved to the rotation in 2022. He was 7-1 with a 3.72 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 102 whiffs in 96.2 innings.

Round 8 (233rd overall): RHP Mason McGwire

If that last name seems familiar to you, that’s because it should. Mason is the son of former Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire who famously battled with the Cubs’ Sammy Sosa during the epic 1998 home run chase.

Mason, 18, just graduated from Capistrano Valley High School in California and is listed at 6-foot-4, 190 pounds.

Here’s McGwire in action:

Round 9 (263rd overall): RHP Connor Noland

Another pick, another pitcher. This time it’s Noland, a righty out of Arkansas.

He will turn 23 later this month after spending 4 years pitching in the SEC. He made 20 appearances (19 starts) in 2022, going 8-6 with a 3.65 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 113 strikeouts in 116 innings. He also made it on Pitching Ninja:

Round 10 (293rd overall): RHP Brody McCullough

McCullough is a 22-year-old former reliever who shifted into the rotation full time with Wingate this season. He went 9-1 with a 2.40 ERA and 1.10 WHIP while striking out a whopping 15.5 batters per 9 innings (110 Ks in 63.2 IP).

He also pitched in the Cape Cod League over the summer, posting a 2.70 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 13.5 K/9 in 5 starts.

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