Some good news came Sunday for Cubs fans when shortstop Ed Howard, the team’s first-round selection in this month’s MLB draft, agreed to terms on a bonus of just under $3.75 million — full slot value for the 16th pick.
There won’t be official minor-league games for Howard to play in this season, but he’ll likely begin work in some form in Arizona as soon as that’s possible in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Howard starred at Mount Carmel and before that played on the Jackie Robinson West team that won the U.S. title at the Little League World Series in 2014. Widely considered the best defensive shortstop in the draft, he should instantly become one of the top-ranked prospects in a Cubs system that is lagging behind much of baseball.
The news of Howard’s bonus agreement was first reported by The Bigs.
