Cubs draft pitcher from TCU

LOS ANGELES -- The Cubs took a college closer with their first pick in Thursday's amateur draft.

But there are no guarantees that Texas Christian right-hander Andrew Cashner will remain in the bullpen when and if he signs with the Cubs.

Scouting director Tim Wilken sounded ecstatic in talking about the almost 6-foot-6, 180-pound junior out of TCU. In fact, the Cubs chose Cashner out of Angelina College in Texas in last year's 29th round, but he opted to stay in school.

"We're very, very happy to have him," Wilken said. "Just pretty excited at this point.

"You're seeing the maturation. I think if you ask Andrew, I'll bet you he's probably 15-20 pounds heavier than he was last year, and there's significantly different stuff that's coming out of his arm as there was when he came out of junior college last year."

The 21-year-old Cashner, a native of Montgomery, Texas, said he's ready to sign a pro contract, but when that happens depends on how negotiations go. The Cubs have a good record of signing their top picks.

"It has been a long process," he said. "I've come a long ways since high school. This year has been probably the first year I've really grown into my body and matured from a baseball standpoint. I left high school at 5-9, and I left TCU at 6-6 and 190. I've come a long way."

This year, Cashner was 9-4 with 9 saves and a 2.32 ERA in 30 relief appearances. He led the team with 80 strikeouts in 54½ innings and had 27 walks.

Wilken said time will tell whether Cashner remains a reliever or becomes a starter. Cashner also left it open.

"I just want to do what I can to best help the team out," he said. "I talked to their scouting director today, and he said that they're probably going to let me feel my way through the system as either a starter or a closer. They said there's no definite thing yet."

Cashner did not sign last year because he said he was asking for more money than his results and his draft slot merited. He could get a seven-figure bonus this year.

"Yes, I am ready to sign," he said. "I want to sign as quick as possible because I'm in really good shape right now."

Wilken said Cashner has a fastball that clocks from 92-98 and a power-breaking pitch that's more curve than slider.

"His delivery is pretty darn sound and is probably one of the better ones in this draft," Wilken said. "He's got a four-seam fastball with good ride."

With their second pick, between the first and second rounds and 41st overall, the Cubs took Vanderbilt shortstop Ryan Flaherty, a 6-3, 210 left-handed batter who hit 14 homers and had a .411 on-base percentage this year.

Scouts say he may have to move to third base but that his swing reminds them of former Angels first baseman Wally Joyner.