With their first pick of the draft, ninteenth overall, Cubs select RHP Andrew Cashner out of Texas Christian University. He was their closer - moved out of the rotation due to command problems. Has a plus fastball - it's been touching 97-98 mph recently, and a slider that could develop into a plus pitch.

The question is whether or not the Cubs are going to try to move him back to starting, or use him in relief. As a reliever, he could be ready later this season - previous college relievers who pitched in the major the same season they were drafted include Chad Cordero and David Aardsma.

Here's video of Cashner, courtesy of MLB. (Thanks to BCB reader northsider.) If any of the other Riders can help me get that video embedded, that would be great - for some reason whenever I submit the entry, the embed tag gets stripped out.

Scouts.com had him as the 12th best player in the draft - he's been rising quickly up draft boards with his postseason performance.

Baseball America's take:

The Cubs go Andrew Cashner, perhaps another indication of how the Cubs believe they can win now. Cashner has had the most consistent fastball in the college ranks this spring, sitting 96-98 mph consistently.

The Cubs have been adventurous recently, spending wildly in 2006 with the likes of Tyler Colvin, Chris Huseby and especially Jeff Samardzija, none of which has worked out yet. None of those three guys of course are done as prospects, but none has shined yet. This year, with a big league team in contention to win a championship, the Cubs went more conservative, and it makes sense in a lot of ways.

Scouting report from SaberScouting:

This 6-foot-6 righty has been flying up the boards of late, and at least in our eyes, is now the top college reliever in the class. With a fastball that’s been reportedly touching 98 MPH, the TCU righty has been close to untouchable out of the pen. Teams may balk at his lack of track record and closing experience, but others will salivate over his electric arm, projectable frame, and makings of an out-pitch slider. Many teams like his clean arm and feel for a changeup enough to project him as a starter with his newfound velocity, but Cashner lacks feel and command at times and is still raw. Some teams think he could start, which would boost his profile significantly.

Again, more updates later. The Cubs pick next with the 41st pick of the draft, a compensation pick for losing Kendall to the Brewers.