The Cubs have been hitting on their first-round picks lately, with several already making their mark in the majors as key contributors.
Matt Shaw, their 2023 selection, has been making an impact, just like Cade Horton was before his UCL surgery sidelined him for the year. And let’s not forget Nico Hoerner, who’s become a cornerstone player after going 24th overall back in 2018.
Now, not every pick works out perfectly. Fans were pumped when Chicago grabbed Ed Howard 16th overall in 2020 – a shortstop right from Mount Carmel High School in their own backyard. He hasn’t quite developed as expected yet.
But that’s not stopping the Cubs from eyeing another local talent.
Enter Tyler Bell, Kentucky’s shortstop who happens to be from Bloomington, Illinois. He played his high school ball at Lincoln-Way East in Frankfort, and Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter thinks he’d be a perfect fit for Chicago.
“Bell spurned the Rays as a second-round pick in the 2024 draft out of high school, and that looks like the right decision two years later as he’s expected to be a first-round selection as a draft-eligible sophomore. Slowed by a shoulder injury early this spring, he is hitting .354/.567/.569 in 97 plate appearances since returning to action.”
Talk about betting on yourself.
Bell could’ve been playing pro ball with Tampa Bay years ago, but he turned them down and headed to college instead. That gamble is paying off huge – he’s climbed way up the draft boards.
Even after a shoulder injury slowed his start this season, he’s back to doing what he does best. As a switch-hitter, Bell’s dangerous from both sides of the plate, and he’s got all the tools to stick at shortstop in the big leagues.
The Cubs have shown they can develop homegrown talent, especially from the Chicago area. With Bell’s combination of local ties and rising stock, he could be exactly what they’re looking for in 2026.
