Chase Strumpf

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #24 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Strumpf had a decorated amateur career as a member of USA Baseball's 15U national team and was a high-profile infielder at JSerra (Calif.) High and UCLA. The Cubs drafted him in the second round in 2019 and signed him for just over $1 million. Strumpf was known for his contact skills as an amateur, but he has morphed into a power hitter in pro ball. He hit 21 homers at Double-A Tennessee in 2022, tripling his previous career high, but also hit a team-low .234 and had a career-high 162 strikeouts.
  
  Scouting Report: Strumpf is a strong righthanded hitter with a discerning eye for the strike zone. He draws plenty of walks and makes hard contact when he connects, sending balls out from left to right-center with above-average raw power. Strumpf has good rhythm and separation in the batter's box, but his swing has gotten too big as he's started chasing power. He swings and misses in the zone too often and has to shorten his swing to make more contact. A second baseman in college, Strumpf has taken well to third base as a pro. He is an above-average defender with a solid glove and average arm strength that plays up with a quick release.
  
  The Future: Strumpf's power and infield versatility give him a path to the majors as a utilityman. He'll open at Triple-A Iowa in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 30. Power: 50. Speed: 45. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #19 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Stumpf rose to prominence as the starting shortstop at national prep power JSerra High in SoCal and put together a solid three-year career at UCLA. The Cubs drafted him in the second round, No. 64 overall, and signed him for just over $1.05 million. Strumpf’s full-season debut was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, but he made up for lost time by racing to Double-A in 2021. He overcame a slow start to finish with a 1.028 OPS in his final month.
  
  Scouting Report: Strumpf is the epitome of a professional hitter with a calm, patient approach, an easy swing and a natural feel for the barrel. He works counts until he gets a pitch to hit and smoothly drives balls from gap to gap. He fell into some bad habits trying to lift the ball at Double-A initially, but he eventually rediscovered his form to retain his status as a potential above-average hitter. Strumpf has sneaky power, particularly the other way to right-center, and should complement solid batting averages with double-digit homers. He is an average defender at second base and has started to play third base on occasion. He is more comfortable at second and his fringe-average arm fits best there.
  
  The Future: Strumpf’s hitting ability should make him at least a solid contributor. He’ll see Triple-A in 2022.
  
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #10 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Running: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Strumpf preceded Royce Lewis, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft, as the shortstop at national power JSerra High in Southern California. Strumpf went on to a decorated three-year career at UCLA, capped by winning Most Outstanding Player of the Los Angeles Regional his junior year. The Cubs drafted him in the second round, No. 64 overall, and signed him for just over $1.05 million. He reached low Class A for six games in his pro debut.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Strumpf is a consistent, mature hitter with a patient approach and knack for putting the barrel on the ball. He works counts, takes his walks and lines the ball hard to the gaps when he gets a pitch to hit. Strumpf is mostly a contact hitter, but he has sneaky power the Cubs believe will translate into more home runs as he takes a more aggressive approach. Strumpf makes all the routine plays at second base and has shown better arm strength in pro ball than he did in college, allowing him to play the left side of the infield as needed. Strumpf has dealt with foot, back and wrist injuries in the last three years, so health is a concern.
  
  THE FUTURE: Strumpf has a chance to develop into a steady, everyday second baseman who hits for average and possibly power. He’ll move to full-season ball in 2021.
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #5 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Strumpf put together a stellar career at California's prestigious JSerra HS, where he was teammates with 2017 No. 1 overall pick Royce Lewis. His five home runs led the 2013 15U National Team, which had a roster with 2016 No. 1 overall pick Mickey Moniak, 2019 No. 3 overall pick Andrew Vaughn and 2017 first-rounder Nick Pratto. After high school, Strumpf put together three excellent seasons at UCLA, including an outstanding sophomore season in which he hit .363/.475/.633 with 12 home runs. His numbers were down a bit in 2019, but the Cubs were convicted enough by his bat to draft him in the second round. He ranked No. 6 among the short-season Northwest League's Top 20 prospects.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: After scoring big in 2018 with Nico Hoerner, a bat-first middle infielder from the Pac-12 Conference, the Cubs went back to that well again in 2019. In Strumpf, Cubs scouts saw a polished hitter with a solid approach and a grinder's mentality both at the plate and in the field. He's shown mostly doubles power as a pro, but the Cubs believe a few tweaks can help him start putting more balls over the fence. Specifically, they want him to back off the plate a little bit more and use his long arms to generate the torque his frame and strength will allow. They'd also like to see him be a little more aggressive later in counts, especially on pitches he can impact. Strumpf is a serviceable second baseman with strong hands and feet who can make routine plays but is not likely to wow anyone his glove. He has fringe-average arm strength.
  
  THE FUTURE: Given his pedigree, Strumpf should move to high Class A Myrtle Beach in 2020. He projects as a bat-first middle infielder.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #42 prospect in 2019 draft
  A three-year starter at UCLA, Strumpf hit .363 as a sophomore in 2018 and was invited to play for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, but he was unable to participate due to injury. He entered this spring considered arguably the top draft prospect in Southern California and hit .284/.422/.461 through the end of the regular season in a solid but unspectacular campaign. The 6-foot-1 second baseman has a quiet setup at the plate and has consistently shown excellent bat-to-ball skills, with an impressive ability to backspin the ball the opposite way to right-center field. He has also displayed a strong knowledge of the strike zone, recording nearly as many walks (87) as strikeouts (106) the last two years. Strumpf is an offensive-minded infielder who can make the routine plays at second base but struggles to make the difficult ones. He has below-average range and arm strength that flashes average but is usually fringy. His offensive tools are strong enough for evaluators to project him as an everyday second baseman even with his defensive shortcomings.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Northwest League #6 prospect in 2019
  Strumpf was high school teammates with 2017 No. 1 overall pick Royce Lewis, but he opted to go to UCLA to hone his skills for three years instead. The Cubs do an excellent job identifying college hitters, and Strumpf looks to be the latest in that line. Strumpf is prototypical professional hitter with a simple, smooth swing at the plate and strong knowledge of the strike zone. More than that, he shows excellent power to all fields and sprayed doubles from line to line in his pro debut. Three seasons working with John Savage’s Bruins has instilled a strong work ethic in Strumpf, which should help him quickly adjust to the advanced pitching he’ll face as a pro. He’s a competent defender at second base who will make all the routine plays but might not show up on the highlight reels. Even so, he should provide plenty of value with his bat.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Strumpf had a decorated amateur career as a member of USA Baseball's 15U national team and was a high-profile infielder at JSerra (Calif.) High and UCLA. The Cubs drafted him in the second round in 2019 and signed him for just over $1 million. Strumpf was known for his contact skills as an amateur, but he has morphed into a power hitter in pro ball. He hit 21 homers at Double-A Tennessee in 2022, tripling his previous career high, but also hit a team-low .234 and had a career-high 162 strikeouts.
  
  Scouting Report: Strumpf is a strong righthanded hitter with a discerning eye for the strike zone. He draws plenty of walks and makes hard contact when he connects, sending balls out from left to right-center with above-average raw power. Strumpf has good rhythm and separation in the batter's box, but his swing has gotten too big as he's started chasing power. He swings and misses in the zone too often and has to shorten his swing to make more contact. A second baseman in college, Strumpf has taken well to third base as a pro. He is an above-average defender with a solid glove and average arm strength that plays up with a quick release.
  
  The Future: Strumpf's power and infield versatility give him a path to the majors as a utilityman. He'll open at Triple-A Iowa in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 30. Power: 50. Speed: 45. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Strumpf had a decorated amateur career as a member of USA Baseball's 15U national team and was a high-profile infielder at JSerra (Calif.) High and UCLA. The Cubs drafted him in the second round in 2019 and signed him for just over $1 million. Strumpf was known for his contact skills as an amateur, but he has morphed into a power hitter in pro ball. He hit 21 homers at Double-A Tennessee in 2022, tripling his previous career high, but also hit a team-low .234 and had a career-high 162 strikeouts.
  
  Scouting Report: Strumpf is a strong righthanded hitter with a discerning eye for the strike zone. He draws plenty of walks and makes hard contact when he connects, sending balls out from left to right-center with above-average raw power. Strumpf has good rhythm and separation in the batter's box, but his swing has gotten too big as he's started chasing power. He swings and misses in the zone too often and has to shorten his swing to make more contact. A second baseman in college, Strumpf has taken well to third base as a pro. He is an above-average defender with a solid glove and average arm strength that plays up with a quick release.
  
  The Future: Strumpf's power and infield versatility give him a path to the majors as a utilityman. He'll open at Triple-A Iowa in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 30. Power: 50. Speed: 45. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Strumpf rose to prominence as the starting shortstop at national prep power JSerra High in SoCal and put together a solid three-year career at UCLA. The Cubs drafted him in the second round, No. 64 overall, and signed him for just over $1.05 million. Strumpf&#39s full-season debut was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, but he made up for lost time by racing to Double-A in 2021. He overcame a slow start to finish with a 1.028 OPS in his final month.
  
  Scouting Report: Strumpf is the epitome of a “professional hitter” with a calm, patient approach, an easy swing and a natural feel for the barrel. He works counts until he gets a pitch to hit and smoothly drives balls from gap to gap. He fell into some bad habits trying to lift the ball at Double-A initially, but he eventually rediscovered his form to retain his status as a potential above-average hitter. Strumpf has sneaky power, particularly the other way to right-center, and should complement solid batting averages with double-digit homers. He is an average defender at second base and has started to play third base on occasion. He is more comfortable at second and his fringe-average arm fits best there.
  
  The Future: Strumpf&#39s hitting ability should make him at least a solid contributor. He&#39ll see Triple-A in 2022.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Stumpf rose to prominence as the starting shortstop at national prep power JSerra High in SoCal and put together a solid three-year career at UCLA. The Cubs drafted him in the second round, No. 64 overall, and signed him for just over $1.05 million. Strumpf’s full-season debut was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, but he made up for lost time by racing to Double-A in 2021. He overcame a slow start to finish with a 1.028 OPS in his final month.
  
  Scouting Report: Strumpf is the epitome of a professional hitter with a calm, patient approach, an easy swing and a natural feel for the barrel. He works counts until he gets a pitch to hit and smoothly drives balls from gap to gap. He fell into some bad habits trying to lift the ball at Double-A initially, but he eventually rediscovered his form to retain his status as a potential above-average hitter. Strumpf has sneaky power, particularly the other way to right-center, and should complement solid batting averages with double-digit homers. He is an average defender at second base and has started to play third base on occasion. He is more comfortable at second and his fringe-average arm fits best there.
  
  The Future: Strumpf’s hitting ability should make him at least a solid contributor. He’ll see Triple-A in 2022.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Running: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Strumpf preceded Royce Lewis, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft, as the shortstop at national power JSerra High in Southern California. Strumpf went on to a decorated three-year career at UCLA, capped by winning Most Outstanding Player of the Los Angeles Regional his junior year. The Cubs drafted him in the second round, No. 64 overall, and signed him for just over $1.05 million. He reached low Class A for six games in his pro debut.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Strumpf is a consistent, mature hitter with a patient approach and knack for putting the barrel on the ball. He works counts, takes his walks and lines the ball hard to the gaps when he gets a pitch to hit. Strumpf is mostly a contact hitter, but he has sneaky power the Cubs believe will translate into more home runs as he takes a more aggressive approach. Strumpf makes all the routine plays at second base and has shown better arm strength in pro ball than he did in college, allowing him to play the left side of the infield as needed. Strumpf has dealt with foot, back and wrist injuries in the last three years, so health is a concern.
  
  THE FUTURE: Strumpf has a chance to develop into a steady, everyday second baseman who hits for average and possibly power. He'll move to full-season ball in 2021.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Running: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Strumpf preceded Royce Lewis, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft, as the shortstop at national power JSerra High in Southern California. Strumpf went on to a decorated three-year career at UCLA, capped by winning Most Outstanding Player of the Los Angeles Regional his junior year. The Cubs drafted him in the second round, No. 64 overall, and signed him for just over $1.05 million. He reached low Class A for six games in his pro debut.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Strumpf is a consistent, mature hitter with a patient approach and knack for putting the barrel on the ball. He works counts, takes his walks and lines the ball hard to the gaps when he gets a pitch to hit. Strumpf is mostly a contact hitter, but he has sneaky power the Cubs believe will translate into more home runs as he takes a more aggressive approach. Strumpf makes all the routine plays at second base and has shown better arm strength in pro ball than he did in college, allowing him to play the left side of the infield as needed. Strumpf has dealt with foot, back and wrist injuries in the last three years, so health is a concern.
  
  THE FUTURE: Strumpf has a chance to develop into a steady, everyday second baseman who hits for average and possibly power. He’ll move to full-season ball in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Running: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Strumpf preceded Royce Lewis, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft, as the shortstop at national power JSerra High in Southern California. Strumpf went on to a decorated three-year career at UCLA, capped by winning Most Outstanding Player of the Los Angeles Regional his junior year. The Cubs drafted him in the second round, No. 64 overall, and signed him for just over $1.05 million. He reached low Class A for six games in his pro debut.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Strumpf is a consistent, mature hitter with a patient approach and knack for putting the barrel on the ball. He works counts, takes his walks and lines the ball hard to the gaps when he gets a pitch to hit. Strumpf is mostly a contact hitter, but he has sneaky power the Cubs believe will translate into more home runs as he takes a more aggressive approach. Strumpf makes all the routine plays at second base and has shown better arm strength in pro ball than he did in college, allowing him to play the left side of the infield as needed. Strumpf has dealt with foot, back and wrist injuries in the last three years, so health is a concern.
  
  THE FUTURE: Strumpf has a chance to develop into a steady, everyday second baseman who hits for average and possibly power. He’ll move to full-season ball in 2021.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Strumpf put together a stellar career at California’s prestigious JSerra HS, where he was teammates with 2017 No. 1 overall pick Royce Lewis. His five home runs led the 2013 15U National Team, which had a roster with 2016 No. 1 overall pick Mickey Moniak, 2019 No. 3 overall pick Andrew Vaughn and 2017 first-rounder Nick Pratto. After high school, Strumpf put together three excellent seasons at UCLA, including an outstanding sophomore season in which he hit .363/.475/.633 with 12 home runs. His numbers were down a bit in 2019, but the Cubs were convicted enough by his bat to draft him in the second round. He ranked No. 6 among the short-season Northwest League’s Top 20 prospects.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: After scoring big in 2018 with Nico Hoerner, a bat-first middle infielder from the Pac-12 Conference, the Cubs went back to that well again in 2019. In Strumpf, Cubs scouts saw a polished hitter with a solid approach and a grinder’s mentality both at the plate and in the field. He’s shown mostly doubles power as a pro, but the Cubs believe a few tweaks can help him start putting more balls over the fence. Specifically, they want him to back off the plate a little bit more and use his long arms to generate the torque his frame and strength will allow. They’d also like to see him be a little more aggressive later in counts, especially on pitches he can impact. Strumpf is a serviceable second baseman with strong hands and feet who can make routine plays but is not likely to wow anyone his glove. He has fringe-average arm strength.
  
  THE FUTURE: Given his pedigree, Strumpf should move to high Class A Myrtle Beach in 2020. He projects as a bat-first middle infielder.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Strumpf put together a stellar career at California's prestigious JSerra HS, where he was teammates with 2017 No. 1 overall pick Royce Lewis. His five home runs led the 2013 15U National Team, which had a roster with 2016 No. 1 overall pick Mickey Moniak, 2019 No. 3 overall pick Andrew Vaughn and 2017 first-rounder Nick Pratto. After high school, Strumpf put together three excellent seasons at UCLA, including an outstanding sophomore season in which he hit .363/.475/.633 with 12 home runs. His numbers were down a bit in 2019, but the Cubs were convicted enough by his bat to draft him in the second round. He ranked No. 6 among the short-season Northwest League's Top 20 prospects.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: After scoring big in 2018 with Nico Hoerner, a bat-first middle infielder from the Pac-12 Conference, the Cubs went back to that well again in 2019. In Strumpf, Cubs scouts saw a polished hitter with a solid approach and a grinder's mentality both at the plate and in the field. He's shown mostly doubles power as a pro, but the Cubs believe a few tweaks can help him start putting more balls over the fence. Specifically, they want him to back off the plate a little bit more and use his long arms to generate the torque his frame and strength will allow. They'd also like to see him be a little more aggressive later in counts, especially on pitches he can impact. Strumpf is a serviceable second baseman with strong hands and feet who can make routine plays but is not likely to wow anyone his glove. He has fringe-average arm strength.
  
  THE FUTURE: Given his pedigree, Strumpf should move to high Class A Myrtle Beach in 2020. He projects as a bat-first middle infielder.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Strumpf was high school teammates with 2017 No. 1 overall pick Royce Lewis, but he opted to go to UCLA to hone his skills for three years instead. The Cubs do an excellent job identifying college hitters, and Strumpf looks to be the latest in that line. Strumpf is prototypical professional hitter with a simple, smooth swing at the plate and strong knowledge of the strike zone. More than that, he shows excellent power to all fields and sprayed doubles from line to line in his pro debut. Three seasons working with John Savage’s Bruins has instilled a strong work ethic in Strumpf, which should help him quickly adjust to the advanced pitching he’ll face as a pro. He’s a competent defender at second base who will make all the routine plays but might not show up on the highlight reels. Even so, he should provide plenty of value with his bat.