For the fifth consecutive year, the Cubs opted to go the college route with their top draft pick.

The Cubs selected Wake Forest outfielder Ethan Conrad at No. 17 in the first round of the 2025 MLB draft on Sunday. He was listed as the No. 28 prospect for the draft by MLB.com.

Conrad was limited to 21 games this season due to a season-ending surgery in April after sustaining a left shoulder injury diving for a ball in March. The 6-foot-3 slugger posted a .372/.495/.744 slash line with seven home runs, eight doubles and 27 RBIs prior to the injury. He showed a good plate approach, drawing 18 walks to 14 strikeouts.

Conrad, 21, spent his first two collegiate seasons at Marist where he produced a .389 average, .467 on-base percentage and .704 slugging percentage with nine home runs and a NCAA Division I-leading 13 triples in 2024.

He followed with a great showing last summer in the Cape Cod League, where he finished second in batting average (.385) and OPS (.919).

Conrad is 3 1/2 months post-operation and has full range of motion. He anticipates being at full strength in about one month, at which point he will be able to swing and hit.

“I didn’t know what was going to happen with the draft, and I was really upset not being able to help my teammates out,” Conrad said Sunday night of his injury. “And then being able to get selected 17th is just super crazy. I wasn’t expecting it, and I’m just super grateful, and I’m super excited to get going.”

Conrad graduated from Saugerties (New York) High School in 2022.No. 56: Kane Kepley, OF, North Carolina

With their second-round pick, the Cubs chose Kane Kepley, a left-handed outfielder from North Carolina. At 5-foot-8, Kepley walked on at Liberty in 2023 and then transferred to North Carolina for the 2025 season. In between, he had an All-Star summer in the Cape Cod League in 2024.

The 21-year-old was projected at No. 58 by MLB.com.

In his season with North Carolina he slashed .451/.444/.896 with 30 RBIs and 45 stolen bases in 61 games while playing center field.

Kepley graduated from South Rowan High School in China Grove, N.C.