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With the 30th pick in the draft, the Cubs have selected Alex Lange from Louisiana State University. In mock drafts, Lange was projected to go 20th by ESPN and 25th by MLB.com.
Lange has had a great impact on the mound for LSU the last three seasons and, in turn, has shown that he can become a future right-hander starter in the majors. The 21-year-old has been among the top 10 pitchers in strikeouts in NCAA Division I in each of his three seasons. He also played on the U.S. college national team last summer. Lange is the third LSU pitcher selected in the first round during this decade after Kevin Gausman (fourth overall in 2012 by the Orioles) and Aaron Nola (seventh in 2014 by the Phillies). Both are now in the majors and Lange may not be too far behind.