Players are beginning to agree to contracts following the 2023 MLB Draft, but teams are still looking through the undrafted player pool to bring in more talent. The Chicago Cubs are reportedly signing right-handed pitcher Landon Ginn.
According to the report from 24/7 Sports, Ginn agreed to sign with the Cubs, who offered him an $80,000 signing bonus to draw him away from East Carolina University.
Via 24/7 Sports.
East Carolina junior right-handed pitcher Landon Ginn has agreed to an undrafted free agent contract with the Chicago Cubs and plans to sign later this week, according to sources familiar with the situation. Ginn went undrafted but fielded several calls following the draft and eventually agreed to a signing bonus worth around $80,000, per sources. Ginn will forego his final season of eligibility as a result.
In two seasons at ECU, Ginn recorded 42 strikeouts in 43.2 innings, making 36 appearances all as a reliever.
The right-handed pitcher began his college career at ECU and then transferred to the College of Central Florida, where he was one of the best two-way players at the JUCO level. In 2022, Ginn had a 2.30 ERA, with 103 strikeouts in 82 innings, while batting .323 with 4 home runs, 23 RBI and 30 runs scored. He transferred back to ECU, but Ginn missed the start of the 2023 season, making his debut until March 25.
Ginn made the third-most appearances for ECU in 2023. The righty tossed 34.2 innings, striking out 36 and walking 11. His 4.67 ERA doesn’t look impressive, but that’s why teams hire scouts. Ginn did get much better as the season went on, going 4-0 with a 2.95 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 18.1 innings during conference play.
Earlier this week, the Cubs signed their first undrafted player, inking a deal with right-handed pitcher Kenten Egbert, who was a senior at Miami (OH).
The right-hander began his college career during the postponed 2020 COVID season and Egbert struggled in his first four starts as a freshman before the world shut down. However, since then the starter has put up quality numbers, recording a 3.38 ERA in 133 innings since the beginning of 2021.
2023 Cubs Draft Class
Day 1: Rounds 1-2
Round 1, 13th Overall: Matt Shaw (SS) – Maryland
Round 2, 68th Overall: Jaxon Wiggins (RHP) – Arkansas
Day 2: Rounds 3-10
Round 3, 81st Overall: Josh Rivera (SS) – Florida
Round 4, 113th Overall: Will Sanders (RHP) – South Carolina
Round 5, 149th Overall: Michael Carico (C) – Davidson
Round 6, 176th Overall: Alfonsin Rosario (OF) – P27 Academy
Round 7, 206th Overall: Yahil Melendez (SS) – B You Academy
Round 8, 236th Overall: Brett Bateman (OF) – Minnesota
Round 9, 266th Overall: Jonathan Long (1B) – Long Beach State
Round 10, 296th Overall: Luis Martinez-Gomez (RHP) – Temple College
Day 3: Rounds 11-20
Round 11, 326th Overall: Zyhir Hope (OF) – Colonel Forge High School
Round 12, 356th Overall: Carter Trice (2B) – North Carolina State
Round 13, 386th Overall: Sam Armstrong (RHP) – Old Dominion
Round 14, 416th Overall: Grayson Moore (RHP) – Vanderbilt
Round 15, 446th Overall: Ty Johnson (RHP) – Ball State
Round 16, 476th Overall: Daniel Brown (LHP) – Campbell University
Round 17, 506th Overall: Ethan Flanagan (LHP) – UCLA
Round 18, 536th Overall: Brian Kalmer (3B) – Gonzaga
Round 19, 566th Overall: Nick Dean (RHP) – Maryland
Round 20, 596th Overall: Drew Bowser (3B) – Stanford
