2026 Chicago Cubs MLB Draft Day 1 Thread

[JD94]

I think I really like what they’ve done. Townsend looks like your prototypical power starting pitcher. Sorrell is a big time all around player with top end SEC results. Bailey’s power is prolific. I saw the Schwarber comps, and yeah sign me up for that kind of power. Jasa is such a fun arm to get in the lab and see what you can unlock. 
 

All 4 have question marks for one thing or another, but all 4 also have very fun upside. I’m kind of cool with how day 1 played out even if I personally preferred Rabe to Townsend. I still really like Cade. 

[Rcal10]

This is a draft where I don’t have to be convinced about anyone they picked. I think it was a solid draft. Of course, time will tell. 
 

EDIT: didn’t know they had another pick after the 3rd round. So, now I don’t understand why they picked who they did with that last pick. That appears to be a money saving pick.!

Edited 5 hours ago by Rcal10

[Dfan25]

Nvm

Edited 6 hours ago by Dfan25

[Bertz]

I'd presume

- Townsend slot, maybe a smidge below 

- Sorrell slot, maybe a bit above

- Bailey above slot, small but real chance he's way above

- Jasa underslot

- Marrioneaux under slot, but maybe not as much as you'd expect from a completely unranked guy?

I'd guess they're collectively under, and they still have the 5% (almost $500k this year) to play with as well.  So I'd think they have the juice for, if not a Kaleb Wing ($1.5M) at least a Naz Mule ($1M)?  If they don't it probably means they're paying out the nose for Bailey which is obviously encouraging.

[Dfan25]

Not going to say anything about the draft because I dont know horsefeathers about college or high school baseball

Edited 5 hours ago by Dfan25

[Outshined_One]

This is essentially the result of having a low pick in a down-ish year for the draft. The Cubs basically slammed down a wad of bills for a fistful of scratch-offs with these first picks.

Honestly, it's not a bad strategy.

[Rcal10]

9 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

Not going to say anything about the draft because I dont know horsefeathers about college or high school baseball

Me too. But I just follow based on where “experts” pick guys. And it seems the Cubs have done ok there. 

[JBears79]

I really love the Bailey pick. Townsend, im not sold on but I really love that we took guys with lots of raw power in the first 2 rounds.

[Outshined_One]

We're going into Day 2 with a fun mix of intriguing college guys and upside HS options on the table.

In the college ranks, Jaxon Willits is still there! But keep an eye on 3B/1B Daniel Cuvet (arguably the best power hitter in the draft), 2B/3B Joe Tiroly (intriguing bat hindered by a foot injury), LHP Ryan Marohn (starter profile derailed by nagging injuries), and RHP Trevor Hansen (bulldog who gets the most out of a good-but-not-great repertoire).

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Keith Law's best avail for day 2:

Note these are all guys (except Gasparino) that are going to cost a ton of money to get out of their commitments to school

Edited 2 hours ago by Tangled Up in Plaid

[craig]

I know nothing, but have high trust in Kantro.  Strikes me as a pretty high-risk draft thus far?  Power hitters with high-K contact problems?  1st-rounder with control issues and recent shoulder problems?  3rd rounder who's wilder than wild?  Kind of surprising with the swing-and-miss hitters, since Kantro has seemed to value guys with good contact metrics in past years?

But yeah, risk comes with the draft.  Lets see what tomorrow brings.

Hope guys stay healthy, and develop really well!