When you looked at Haydn McGeary’s college numbers, you immediately thought why was he drafted until the 15th round? No knock against Colorado Mesa and the competition in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, but maybe that’s why. Anyway, there was no denying that McGeary was putting up some jaw-dropping numbers in college and after one month in A-Ball with the South Bend Cubs, he’s now heading to Double-A.
In his senior season, McGeary slashed .448/.579/1.061, with 35 home runs and 79 RBI. He ended his college career with 75 home runs and 243 RBI with a .448/.522/.930 slash line in 722 plate appearances.
After McGeary was drafted in the 15th round, the Cubs sent the right-handed hitter to the Arizona Complex League and then he ended the season playing in 12 games with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at A-Ball. He had a nice pro debut, slashing .292/.346/.458, with a home run and five doubles.
McGeary, who turned 23-years-old last October, began the 2023 season with the South Bend Cubs at advanced A-Ball. Just to give you an idea of how difficult it is to hit in the Midwest League, where South Bend plays, there are only nine players with an OPS above .900. Seven of the 12 teams in the Midwest League have an OPS lower .700.
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So, take that into consideration when you look at McGeary’s numbers so far with the South Bend Cubs.
Haydn McGeary’s 20 Games With South Bend
.368/.467/.592, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 9 R, 8 2B, 16 K, 13 BB, 3 SB
He ranks top-five in the league in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS.
So, it wasn’t a big surprise to see the Cubs promote the slugger to Double-A.
I’m going to compare him to a previous Cubs player, but I’m simply doing so because their batting stances look similar to me. It was back in spring training, when I first saw McGeary and he does remind me of Aramis Ramírez at the plate.
What do you think?
Kinda?
Anyway, this dude has real power in his bat. McGeary was hitting some rockets with the South Bend Cubs.
So, McGeary will get a good test facing pitchers at Double-A with the Tennessee Smokies. All eight teams in the Southern League are striking out 10+ batters per nine innings.
Other Cubs Promotions
This past weekend, the Cubs promoted left-handed relief pitcher Bailey Horn from Double-A to Triple-A. He was acquired from the White Sox in 2021, when the Cubs traded right-handed reliever Ryan Tepera to the south side. Ben Brown was also promoted to Triple-A Iowa.
Horn made his Iowa Cubs debut on Saturday and pitched a scoreless inning. Brown is expected to make his first Triple-A start this week.
Before the news came out on McGeary’s promotion on Tuesday, we found out that 2022 second round pick Jackson Ferris will be with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
And Cubs fans are waiting to see if catcher Miguel Amaya will be added to the Cubs active roster after Yan Gomes left Monday’s game after getting hit on the head with a backswing.
Amaya was reportedly en route to DC last night.
There should be a few more promotions in May and definitely throughout the summer.
