Chicago Cubs Select Dylan Marionneaux with the 126th Pick in 2026 MLB Draft

[Jason Ross]

The Chicago Cubs selected Dylan Marionneaux with the 126th pick in the 2026 MLB Draft Saturday afternoon. Marionneaux is a pitcher at Northwestern State University. The right-hander had entered the transfer portal this year and had interest from the University of Miami, though ultimately would transfer to the SEC and the Alabama Tide. The slot value for the 126th pick in the MLB draft is $609.200.

Marionneaux stands 6'3" but is listed only at 163lbs. In his most recent season at Northwestern, he struck out 81 hitters over the span of 84 innings pitched, while sporting a 3.51 ERA on route to making the All-Southland first team. 

According to Baseball America in 2025, Marionneaux lives in the upper-80s and threw mostly fastball-slider: 

"Though Lane made history with eight innings in a combined no hitter, the performance of the week goes to Northwestern State’s Dylan Marionneaux, who silenced New Orleans with a complete game shutout in which he struck out nine to just one walk and allowed two hits.

"Marionneaux, who sits in the high-80s and primarily relies on just a fastball and slider, didn’t allow a base runner after the fifth inning. He has given up just one earned run over his last 21.1 innings."

This is is a developmental pitcher with prototypical height who could add velocity through strength training. It's also a good sign that multiple SEC programs, such as Alabama and LSU, as well as Miami, were all sniffing around the pitcher in the transfer portal.

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[Hortonhearsawho]

Death Taxes and Jed's love for pitchers who's fastball tops out in the upper 80s. 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Feed this kid

[Bertz]

2 hours ago, Jason Ross said:

This is is a developmental pitcher with prototypical height who could add velocity through strength training. It's also a good sign that multiple SEC programs, such as Alabama and LSU, as well as Miami, were all sniffing around the pitcher in the transfer portal.

This is the thing that's so interesting.  Because on the surface a guy unranked by the various pubs with an upper 80's fastball is clearly a huge underslot.  Like even as a Jr. instead of a Sr. you're thinking he probably doesn't even get 6 figures?

But those big programs all targeting him, and in the NIL era?  He's obviously not getting $600k slot but I'm not so sure the Cubs are saving a half million on him like I otherwise would be.

[Jason Ross]

20 minutes ago, Hortonhearsawho said:

Death Taxes and Jed's love for pitchers who's fastball tops out in the upper 80s. 

This time Jed probably has a legit reason for belief in added velo. Give the kid a major league regime and see if you can add 20-25lbs on this kid. 

[Jason Ross]

1 minute ago, Bertz said:

This is the thing that's so interesting.  Because on the surface a guy unranked by the various pubs with an upper 80's fastball is clearly a huge underslot.  Like even as a Jr. instead of a Sr. you're thinking he probably doesn't even get 6 figures?

But those big programs all targeting him, and in the NIL era?  He's obviously not getting $600k slot but I'm not so sure the Cubs are saving a half million on him like I otherwise would be.

Yep. He's a fascinating one. it isn't hard to see what people are dreaming on, and why it might not be so cheap to grab him. 

[Outshined_One]

36 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

Feed this kid

Look, ever since Edzo's closed, your options for fat/calorie bombs in Evanston are Mustard's, which always runs the risk of weight loss from food poisoning, and Stacked & Folded, which pretends to be healthy and sometimes adds lettuce and avocado when you're not looking.

[craig]

The mlb broadcast, Callis alluded to 91 95.  Obviously nothing very good, but higher than BA report from a year ago.  He also referenced some scout(s) telling him guy was rising, and could fall in 3rd-6th round.  We'll see how much sub-slot he goes for.