Yes, I’m getting way ahead of myself here, but it is starting to look like the Chicago Cubs got a steal in last year’s draft when they picked Haydn McGeary in the 15th round. D1, D2, so far it has not mattered. All this guy does is hit baseballs, hit them hard and hit them very far. The hype train is now taking off at Double-A.

After one month of destroying pitching in advanced A-Ball with the South Bend Cubs, McGeary was promoted to the Double-A Tennessee Smokies this week. The right-handed hitter made his Double-A debut on Tuesday, going 1-for-4, with a walk, his first single with the Smokies drove in two runs. Then, on Wednesday, the slugger showed off his power, blasting a solo home run on a 3-2 pitch in the second inning against the Rocket City Trash Pandas.

McGeary’s first home run at Double-A went to right-center field. Easy power from the Cubs prospect.

McGeary walked twice on Wednesday to go along with his first home run with Tennessee.

Hayden McGeary in Single-A

After McGeary was drafted in the 15th round, the Cubs sent the right-handed hitter to the Arizona Complex League and then he ended the season playing in 12 games with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at A-Ball. He had a nice pro debut, slashing .292/.346/.458, with a home run and five doubles.

McGeary, who turned 23-years-old last October, began the 2023 season with the South Bend Cubs at advanced A-Ball. Just to give you an idea of how difficult it is to hit in the Midwest League, where South Bend plays, there are only nine players with an OPS above .900. Seven of the 12 teams in the Midwest League have an OPS lower .700.

So, take that into consideration when you look at McGeary’s numbers so far with the South Bend Cubs.

Haydn McGeary’s 20 Games With South Bend
.368/.467/.592, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 9 R, 8 2B, 16 K, 13 BB, 3 SB

He ranks top-five in the league in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS.

Haydn McGeary in College

The right-handed hitter played four years at Colorado Mesa, which is part of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. McGeary’s numbers were ridiculous to say the least.

2019: 41 G, 162 PA, 347/.401/.646, 11 HR, 46 RBI
2020: 18 G, 80 PA, .471/.525/1.014, 9 HR, 30 RBI
2021: 47 G, 209 PA, .481/.541/.973, 20 HR, 88 RBI
2022: 57 G, 271 PA, .448/.579/1.061, 35 HR, 79 RBI

McGeary ended his college career hitting 75 home runs and 243 RBI with a .448/.522/.930 slash line in 722 plate appearances.

He’s 23-years-old and Double-A should be a good challenge for McGeary. Who knows what the next few months have in store, but the right-handed slugger is quickly getting on everyone’s radar.

And well, you know how the Houston Astros had the Killer Bs, how about the Cubs eventually having the Mashing Ms.

At the very least, once Matt Mervis does get called up to the Cubs later this season, we could see McGeary heading up to Triple-A to take over at first base.