The Cubs will promote Conrad from Single-A Myrtle Beach to High-A South Bend on Monday.
The 22-year-old outfielder will head to the Midwest League after slashing .252/.331/.441 with four home runs in 124 plate appearances with Myrtle Beach. The No. 17 overall pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, Conrad is viewed as one of the Cubs' top lower-level prospects.
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Cubs' Ethan Conrad: To miss some time
Rotowire
Conrad (back) is expected to miss roughly the first month of the minor-league season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
The Cubs selected Conrad with the 17th overall pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, but the young outfielder didn't make his pro debut last year as he recovered from shoulder surgery he had toward the end of his collegiate career. Conrad will now wait a little longer to take the field as he deals with an unspecified lower-back issue. The 21-year-old is considered a fairly polished offensive prospect, and the team will likely be cautious to not rush him back after an extended layoff.