Ethan Conrad’s return to the diamond has been nothing short of dramatic. After missing the 2024 season with a shoulder injury sustained at Wake Forest, the former Marist University standout was selected 12th overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 2025 draft. The organization invested $3.5 million in the outfielder, a testament to the high ceiling they see in his bat.
Conrad’s first action came in the Arizona Complex League, where he posted a .417 average in 17 at‑bats before earning a promotion to the Single‑A affiliate, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. In his debut with the Pelicans, he smashed a three‑run homer at a recorded 109 mph, a feat that helped the club to a 10‑1 victory. The blast was part of a six‑RBI outing that underscored his power potential.
Clutch Hits and Team Dynamics
The Pelicans, currently last in the Carolina League’s Southern Division with a 15‑27 record, have nonetheless benefited from Conrad’s surge. His recent double that cleared the bases in a 10‑8 loss to Columbia highlighted his clutch hitting, while his career‑high six RBIs in that game illustrated his growing impact.
Over the past ten games, Conrad’s on‑base plus slugging (OPS) has climbed to .825, a marked improvement from his earlier minor‑league stint where he held a .248 average with five home runs and 20 RBIs in 109 at‑bats. He has been deployed at all three outfield positions, drawing commendation from Cubs hitting coordinators for his versatility and work ethic.
Beyond his own performance, Conrad has been tracking the progress of former teammate Ty Van Valkenburg, who is now competing for the University of Miami. The two share a history of collegiate success, including a record‑setting four‑triple game at Marist, where Conrad led the NCAA in triples during his sophomore season.