Chicago Cubs 2024 MLB Draft: Rounds 11-15

As a freshman, Avitia posted a 4.06 ERA in 15 games and 12 starts. In 84.1 innings pitched, he had a 1.055 WHIP, struck out 111 batters, and only walked 19. He followed that up as a sophomore putting up a 3.92 ERA in 15 games and 14 starts. That season, the control artist had a 1.161 WHIP and struck out 81 while walking 19 in 82.2 innings pitched. Avitia then started six games in the Cape Cod League, posting a 1.63 ERA over 27.2 innings pitched.

As a junior, though, Avitia just got hit. In 35.0 innings pitched, he surrendered 40 hits. He did strike out 45 while walking just nine batters, but his 4.63 ERA in 11 games (six starts) stands out. As a result, Avitia dropped from his position as a top-100 prospect and fell all the way to the Cubs at pick 362.

I do think Chicago can help him return to form and figure out the command that he started with. He could be another late-round fast riser through the Cubs' system.

Round 13, Pick #392: LHP Evan Aschenbeck, Texas A&M

Round 13 saw the Cubs pick up an intriguing pitcher in Evan Aschenbeck. The 23-year-old was bullpen-only for Texas A&M in his career, and he was a shutdown closer in 2024. Aschenbeck will likely stay solely in a bullpen role as a professional, making him another prime candidate to move quickly through the farm system.

In 2024, the 6-foot-2 lefty posted a 1.78 ERA and 0.885 WHIP over 75.2 innings pitched. He struck out 87 and walked just 12. By all accounts, Aschenbeck was "the guy" for Texas A&M who would come in and get the job done.

Aschenbeck thrives with his off-speed stuff (as shown above) and has a low-90s fastball to go along with the killer slider. I could see Aschenbeck pushing for Triple-A Iowa as soon as next season.

Round 14, Pick #422: 1B Cameron Sisneros, East Tennessee State

The Cubs drafted a guy in Cameron Sisneros who has the nickname "Big Country." If that doesn't make you like him, I don't know what will. At 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds with power to boot, you can see why he earned the name. 

Sisneros showcased a really solid and well-rounded offensive profile in his two seasons at East Tennessee State. In his senior season, Sisneros slashed .369/.493/.766 to go along with 16 doubles and 23 home runs. Moreover, Big Country struck out just 20 times in 272 plate appearances while walking 49 times. Yes, he hit home runs more often than he struck out, and he walked over twice as much as he struck out.

It'll be interesting to track Sisneros as a professional baseball player. The numbers obviously jump off the page, and the advanced metrics, like his 105.5 MPH 90th-percentile exit velocity, show the profile of someone who could have an offensive impact professionally.

Round 15, Pick #452: LHP Hayden Frank, Lipscomb University

Hayden Frank is another Cape Cod League standout, so the Cubs clearly love him. Despite spending three seasons at Libscomb, Frank has only accounted for 74 innings pitched. His sophomore season was his most successful one by far as he posted a 2.45 ERA and 0.942 WHIP in 40.1 innings almost exclusively out of the bullpen.

In the Cape Cod League this summer, Frank has started three games, posting a 3.27 ERA and 1.182 WHIP in 11 innings pitched. He has 15 strikeouts against just two walks. 

Frank is a large man at 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, but his fastball sits in the low 90s, so he's not another Luke Little coming into the Cubs' system. Still, Frank has some solid secondary pitches, and we'll see if Chicago wants to try him out as a starter or keep him in the bullpen.