VIDEO: Theo Epstein Literally Predicted He'd Draft Cubs First-Rounder Ed Howard 6 Years Ago
By Michael Luciano
The Chicago Cubs stayed local for their first selection in the 2020 MLB Draft, as they used the No. 16 pick in the 2020 MLB Draft on shortstop Ed Howard, who first rose to prominence as a member of the "Jackie Robinson West" Little League team that made it the Little League World Series final. While giving a congratulatory speech for the team, Cubs GM Theo Epstein predicted that he would use a first-round pick on Howard in the future.
Theo literally told Ed Howard to his face he would draft him 6 years ago pic.twitter.com/dS6UdnnRMo
— Barstool Carl (@barstoolcarl) June 11, 2020
Wouldn't you know it, Epstein's prediction came true.
While the Jackie Robinson West team was later disqualified, as Little League Baseball found out they had annexed three adjacent neighborhoods to accumulate better players, the memories Howard and that team gave us during that stretch will never be forgotten.
Howard has matured into a toolsy shortstop who earned rave reviews for his ability in the field. He will need to work on his hitting, as his ability to make contact consistently is lacking right now.
The #Cubs tonight selected shortstop Ed Howard out of Mount Carmel High School in Chicago with the 16th overall pick in the 2020 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. pic.twitter.com/PQCDQpTLv6
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 11, 2020
Howard made his name in the Little League World Series in his youth, and the Cubs are hoping his blend of speed, power, and defense helps them pick up another proper World Series title.