2026 Chicago Cubs MLB Draft Day 1 Thread

[Outshined_One]

2 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Watch all the pitchers go now 🙄

Like I said, don't get too attached.

[Jason Ross]

Yeesh, Boston. Talk about an underslot.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

My son is also named Borthwick

[JunkyardWalrus]

Borthwickson?

[Bertz]

Longenhagen has us taking Townsend but hasn't confirmed

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Longenhagen has Townsend to the Cubs buzz

[JD94]

Cubs take Townsend. Joe Doyle has that also 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Doyle has the Cubs taking Cade Townsend

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

So I guess he's not going back to Ole Miss afterall

[CaliforniaRaisin]

FG 18th overall prospect: 

Quote

Cade Townsend

 

TLDR

Full Report

Townsend is a black belt in Taekwondo, so it's perhaps no surprise that he’s a plus-plus athlete with a powerful and well-honed delivery. Fans of big stuff will find plenty to like here. The righty touches 98 with carry, pairs the pitch with a hammer of a 12-6 curve, and flashes a plus slider with late break as well. His split isn’t as far along, but it too has promise, and can miss bats when he gets it to sink rather than just run off the hip of a lefty.

For all of Townsend’s enviable physical gifts, the effort in his delivery, and particularly the head whack at finish, is going to make it tough for him to hit spots. He throws strikes, but not precise ones, and his command tends to dip relatively early in outings; this is a five-and-dive profile. Looking forward, some of the lowest hanging developmental fruit may have already been plucked, as Townsend is in fantastic shape and already has five distinct pitches. He’s a candidate to rise through the minors quickly, and his future employer will have a tricky balance on their hands. We'll soon find out just how patiently they're willing to develop his split, cutter, and command when the rest of the package looks like it could be ready to help in some capacity sooner rather than later.

 

[Outshined_One]

We like this pick.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

BA: 

[ILMindState]

Hoyer absolutely nailed it, next Taillon baby!

[Bertz]

I'm happy with this.  Now give me Kaiden McCarthy and the younger Wiggins with our 2nd rounders kthxbye

[chibears55]

I mean, when they compare him to Taillon,  that doesn't make you feel all that great about him 🙄🙄🙄😅😅😅

[CaliforniaRaisin]

ESPN had him 26th overall prospect.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Pipeline had him 35th overall: 

[Outshined_One]

1 minute ago, Bertz said:

I'm happy with this.  Now give me Kaiden McCarthy and the younger Wiggins with our 2nd rounders kthxbye

Wiggins/Willits!

[Bertz]

1 minute ago, chibears55 said:

I mean, when they compare him to Taillon,  that doesn't make you feel all that great about him 🙄🙄🙄😅😅😅

Do you not remember what Taillon was like in his 20's?

[Bertz]

Just now, Outshined_One said:

Wiggins/Willits!

[mul21]

1 minute ago, chibears55 said:

I mean, when they compare him to Taillon,  that doesn't make you feel all that great about him 🙄🙄🙄😅😅😅

Yeah, being compared to a guy who was the second overall pick is probably bad. 🙄

[chibears55]

Just now, Bertz said:

Do you not remember what Taillon was like in his 20's?

It a joke 😅

[mk49]

2 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

I mean, when they compare him to Taillon,  that doesn't make you feel all that great about him 🙄🙄🙄😅😅😅

If he has the similar kind of MLB career as Jamo with less injuries, I think that would be great.

[Hortonhearsawho]

With all the bats taken choosing a pitcher made sense especially since we don't have many arms in the minors. Now we just need to be able to develop the arms. 

[JBears79]

I dont like this pick. Is it an underslot candidate?