With more projectable college players available, the Cubs showed a sense of patience in the first round of the draft Monday. They used the ninth pick to select shortstop Javier Baez, 18, from Arlington Country Day School in Jacksonville, Fla.

Baez is a high-ceiling prospect who has drawn comparisons to Gary Sheffield and Hanley Ramirez. Scouting director Tim Wilken said the Cubs rated him as the second-best hitter in the draft, though they’ll have to wait years for him to reach the big leagues.

Several highly regarded college pitchers — led by Texas right-hander Taylor Jungmann and Vanderbilt right-hander Sonny Gray — were on the board, but Wilken said Baez’s talent ended the Cubs’ conversations about drafting to provide possible help for a big league team whose starters have a 5.47 ERA.

“We went over a number of (college pitchers),” Wilken said. “We thought (Baez’s talent) far outweighed (the pitching) available to us at No. 9.”

Baez, a native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, relocated to Florida in 2005. He wasn’t being tracked as a top prospect until last summer, but scouts fell in love with his bat speed and potential to develop more power from his 6-foot-1, 190-pound build.

A right-handed hitter, he dominated the same type of competition Chipper Jones did before the Braves took him with the first pick in 1990. Baez hit .711 with 20 doubles, six triples and 22 home runs in 115 plate appearances this season, leading his team to the National Association of Christian Athletics championship.

Wilken said Baez has a strong arm and could play shortstop, third base, outfield or even catcher.

“He projects anywhere his bat is going to take him,” Wilken said. “We’ll just have to let that take care of itself.”

Baez impressed the Cubs’ cross-checkers when they interviewed him last week at a Florida all-star game. He told the Florida Times-Union he looks forward to improving in all phases.

“My bat is what will take me where I’m going,” Baez said. “But I also need to become more consistent with the little things at the plate that really make a difference.”

Baez has signed a letter of intent with Jacksonville University but is not expected to be difficult to sign.