Getting to Know Cubs Draft Pick: Hayden Frank

Photo courtesy: Lipscomb University

by Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - Wed Jul 31 13:15:02 GMT-05:00 2024

It's not too often that you can say a team had a plan entering the MLB draft and was able to execute it to perfection. The Cubs were one of those rare teams that not only had a plan but managed to execute it to perfection in an effort to change the organization.

After focusing on college-level power bats in the first two days, day three was all about pitching, with a little bit of slug mixed in. The final part of the Cubs draft was all about pitching, as five of their final six picks were pitchers, as the organization continues to stockpile as many arms as possible.

That includes their 15th-round pick, Hayden Frank, as the Cubs selected the big Lipscomb University (TN) left-hander. When you say big, it would be an understatement, as Frank is an imposing figure on the mound, standing 6-6 and checking in at 220 pounds. That is the ideal size you look for in a starting pitcher, and that alone is something the Cubs can build on for years to come.

Primarily a reliever across his entire college career, Frank gives the Cubs a relief first option in their organization as he isn't the only one who fits that build among their draft picks. Looking back at his entire college career, you are getting a guy who appeared in 51 games, making seven starts in those games.

During those games, Frank gave you mostly one- or two-inning bursts with an occasional three-plus-inning appearance. He logged 74 innings across his collegiate career and posted a 5-2 record in the process with a sound 3.28 ERA. He did that with a 17BB/78K ratio while holding hitters to a .217 average. Frank also logged five saves throughout his career, and he proved that he was a precious option out of the pen.

Considering Lipscomb is such a small school and the Cubs have made several selections from that program in the past, you have to wonder if they have a relationship with someone inside that program. If that is true, it may not be a bad thing, as the Cubs could gain a bit more insight into talented players who could be overlooked.

Despite having a fairly limited college sample size, it was an overall successful sample which also translated into Cape Cod success. Looking back at a lot of the Cubs recent drafts, and you are seeing more and more players participate in the Cape Cod League. Although their results may vary, this is a very competitive league and one that tells when breaking down some of the best college players.

Listed as the No. 500 overall prospect and the 80th-best lefty in his class, Frank has many attributes that many teams like. However, due to his smaller sample size, many teams overlooked his abilities on the mound. Averaging close to 88 MPH with his fastball during his senior year of high school, Frank has gotten that up to the 91-92 MPH range in college while producing a ton of runs with that pitch.

Looking back at most of the high school arms in his class, you have a guy in Frank whose fastball graded out in the 91st percentile. Along with an ever-improving fastball comes his secondary offerings, and like most lefties, it comes with a lethal breaking ball. In his case, your classic 12-6 curve sits at 83 Mph as hitters have a tough time squaring that pitch up.

It is closer to an 11-5 curveball, but it is a successful Curveball nonetheless and one that he has used much more in recent seasons. Along with that breaking ball comes an 86 mph change-up, but that is a pitch he has yet to use much of at this point. Regardless what the Cubs long-term plan for him is, Frank is a left handed relief option that will most likely hit the ground running as he could move quickly through the lower level minor leagues.