Cubs Select OF Ian Happ With No. 9 Pick In MLB Amateur Draft

(CBS) The Cubs selected Cincinnati outfielder Ian Happ with the No. 9 overall pick in the first round of the MLB amateur draft on Monday night.

The 20-year-old Happ, a switch-hitter, batted .369 with 14 homers, 18 doubles, 44 RBIs and 47 runs in 56 games for the Bearcats in 2015. His on-base percentage was .492.

Some believe Happ could have a future at second base as well.

"Ian has proved to be one of the better performers in college baseball over the past couple of seasons," Cubs senior vice president of scouting and player development Jason McLeod said in a statement. "He's a switch-hitter who hits for average and power while showing advanced plate discipline. We feel he's athletic enough to play the infield or outfield."

The 6-foot, 205-pound Happ was a semifinalist this season for the Golden Spikes Award, given to the top collegiate player. He was also named the AAC Player of the Year and second team All-American. He batted .338 with 25 homers, 107 RBIs and 144 runs in three seasons at Cincinnati.

Happ's a native of Pittsburgh and was recommended by Cubs area scout Daniel Carte. Baseball America tabbed him as one of the top three pure college hitters in this draft.

It marked the fourth straight year the Cubs have taken a position player with their first-round pick under the leadership of president of baseball operations Theo Epstein.

In the second round at No. 47 overall, the Cubs selected outfielder Donnie Dewees from North Florida. A 6-foot, 180-pounder left-handed hitter, Dewees batted .422 this past season as a redshirt sophomore, which tied for second-best in the country. He also had 18 homers, 12 doubles and 68 RBIs with a .749 slugging percentage in 60 games. His 18 homers were tied for fourth in the country and his slugging percentage was the best.

Dewees, 21, redshirted in 2014 because of injury.

The first two rounds and some compensation and competitive balance picks were conducted Monday night. The third through 10th rounds will be conducted Tuesday starting at noon, while rounds 11-40 will be conducted Wednesday starting at 11 a.m.

The Cubs next select at No. 82 in the third round.

The Diamondbacks selected Vanderbilt shortstop Dansby Swanson with the No. 1 pick.