By R.L. Bynum
The Chicago Cubs picked Kane Kepley, who wowed fans last season as a junior at Carolina with his gritty play, in the second round of the MLB draft on Sunday night as the 56th overall pick.
Kepley, a 5–6, 180-pound second-team All-ACC selection, generated plenty of offense from the leadoff spot for UNC with a team-high .451 OBP, while showing off all the defensive tools and range in center field. He hit .291 with three home runs and led the team in triples (7), hit-by-pitches (27) and steals (45 in 49 attempts.)
Except for lacking the same power and having much better plate discipline, Kepley’s tools are very similar to Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Cubs’ current starting center fielder. Each has speed, top-notch fielding and a good throwing arm. Both hit for average and can steal bases and create havoc on the basepaths.
Could Cubs fans soon hear the theme from “The Lion King” as Kepley’s walk-up music at Wrigley Field? Will Simba dolls be sold at the ballpark?
Kepley, who played his first two college seasons at Liberty, likely will sign a pro contract and not return to Carolina for his senior season since, according to mlb.com, that pick slots at $1.68 million.
He is the second consecutive UNC starting center fielder to get drafted. Last season, the Baltimore Orioles made center fielder Vance Honeycutt (currently in Class A+ with the Aberdeen Shorebirds) the 22nd overall pick in the first round.
The Cubs already have one UNC alum on their major-league roster in first baseman Michael Busch, who the Los Angeles Dodgers made the 31st overall pick in the first round of the 2019 draft. The Dodgers dealt Busch to the Cubs before the 2024 season.
Kepley is the sixth UNC player drafted by the Cubs and first since they picked outfielder Adam Greenberg as the ninth overall pick in 2002.
Photo courtesy of UNC Athletics Communications
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