Dan Kantrovitz – Pic by Tony Andracki/Marquee Sports Network
Rather than have seven or eight different articles about free agents the Cubs sign after the draft, this year, North Side Bound is just going to roll out one nondrafted free agency post. We will include some basic information and maybe a video and a tweet or two. Full-fledged profiles will come later in the fall, probably at some point in September. So, save this to your bookmarks or favorites.
As of today (7.30.22), the Cubs have not signed anyone yet. According to Dan Kantrovitz, the Cubs will. More thank likely, they will now that the draft picks are signed, sealed, and delivered.
Nondrafted free agency kind of moves at its own pace. You never know the time or day and you never know who is going to release the information. We just have to stay vigilant.
So, yes, we did a post about the Cubs not signing anyone…yet.
1. The Cubs signed RHP Grant Kipp from Yale today as their first NDFA. The 6-foot-6 righty righty started 11 games in 2022 after missing all of 21. He had a 6+ ERA in 11 starts. In 2020, he was barely above 3. In 2021, after missing the spring, he posted a 2.30 ERA in the New England Collegiate Baseball League. This summer, he pitched an additional 6.2 innings in the Cape Cod League and drew rave reviews as he allowed just 1 run and struck out 10!
John Stuper, his coach at Yale said, “He’s got all the tools. He is big and athletic and has great stuff. He constantly works at his craft.”
Curveball looks to be great. Yeah, he screams pitch lab and velocity/arm strengthening program!
Despite their current slate of 0 UFDAs, recent history suggests they take this activity seriously. I don’t expect any future Hall of Famers but I won’t be surprised if a couple of years from now, if you’re regularly reporting on one or more of their exploits here. I’m looking forward to this year’s group.