Cubs Prospect Profile: Andy Weber Shows Potential After Slow Start
Andy Weber was one of the last Cubs draft picks of 2018 to sign his initial pro contract. As a result, his pro career got started a little bit later than everyone else. When he finally finished his orientation and suited up in Mesa, it had been almost two months since he’d last played a game that mattered.
The Cubs selected Weber, a left-handed hitting second baseman, in the fifth round of the 2018 draft. He has decent size 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds and showed throughout his college career at Virginia that he can do two things: Hit for average and drive in runs.
Because I don’t maintain a library of UVA game tapes, I went online to find video that showed either his hitting style or his approach. I got lucky on both. Weber looks extremely calm in the box, uses the whole field, and seems to be unfazed by the moment.
TIE GAME!!! Andy Weber with a two-run single in the B10 and we're back to even!
9-9 with 1 out in the B10
📺🖥️📱: @ACCNetworkExtra https://t.co/ub8cvvmBrv pic.twitter.com/i4tqjyTWO0
— Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball) March 18, 2018
Here a shot of him hitting a shot.
HOME RUN!!! Andy Weber ties the game with one swing! His third long ball of the season!
Hoos knotted at 1 vs Radford pic.twitter.com/FOSUNGSeTK
— Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball) April 11, 2018
As you might imagine, it took Weber a while to acclimate to pro ball and he began his career with a 2-for-23 start. After following that with an 8-for-24 stretch, Weber quickly found himself headed to Eugene. He started hitting as soon as he stepped in the box, posting .471 with a .565 OBP in his first five games.
In 23 games with Eugene, Weber hit .291 with a .363 OBP and a K rate that had been rising early on ended at 24 percent. I really like his approach and his ability to hit to all fields, and he seems to be a really cool cucumber in the box. He is also more versatile that I first thought, showing the ability to play short and third in addition to second.
B5 | Emeralds Andy Weber breaks up the scoreless tie on a double-RBI double! pic.twitter.com/yZ02Ise4ly
— Eugene Emeralds (@EugeneEmeralds) August 24, 2018
The Cubs look like they picked up a prospect who has a chance to be an advanced bat. The only question now is whether he can hit for power. Weber should start his first full season at South Bend. Then again, improvement in fall instructs and spring training might put him in play to begin at Myrtle Beach. Either way, it should be fun to watch.