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About 10 days ago, during the very abbreviated 2020 MLB Draft, the Cubs selected Ed Howard, a shortstop from Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago, with their top pick, 16th overall.
Sunday, it was revealed that the Cubs had signed Howard:
#TheBIGSUPDATE The Bigs have been informed that the @Cubs have signed #16 pick Ed Howard for his full slot value of 3.75 million. Ed will likely head to Arizona in August to work with new hitting director Justin Stone. We 'd in w/him a couple weeks ago! https://t.co/tjFzxnAv5l
— #TheBIGS (@itsthebigs) June 21, 2020
Some teams have signed players for under slot value, but the Cubs have given Howard the full slot value of $3.75 million. MLB.com Cubs beat writer Jordan Bastian confirms the signing:
Can also confirm that Cubs first-rounder Ed Howard has agreed to sign for slot value. Official announcement to come after deal is finalized. @PJ_Mooney reported as well. @itsthebigs had it first.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) June 21, 2020
As noted, the Cubs have not officially announced the deal, but that’s a formality awaiting the paperwork to be finished, per Bastian.
The more interesting note above is that Howard will head to the Cubs complex in Mesa, Arizona to begin work in the organization with Director of Hitting Justin Stone. There obviously won’t be any minor league games this year, so at least Howard will get some work in — presuming it’s safe to open the complex by August.
Congratulations to Ed Howard on officially becoming a member of the Cubs family! The photo above shows Howard playing in the 2019 Under Armour All-America Game at Wrigley Field. Hopefully it won’t be too long before we see him back at Wrigley in a Cubs uniform.