2026 Chicago Cubs MLB Draft Day 2 Thread

[Steve Drumwright]

The Chicago Cubs said they would go after pitching in the 2026 MLB Draft and they lived up to their word on Day 1.

The Cubs took three college pitchers—Mississippi right-hander Cade Townsend (first round), Nebraska right-hander Carson Jasa (third round) and Northwestern State right-hander Dylan Marionneaux (fourth round)—with their five selections Saturday. They also picked two college hitters in Texas A&M outfielder Cadel Sorrell and Florida State first baseman Myles Bailey. The Bailey pick was a compensation pick after the second round for losing right fielder Kyle Tucker in free agency. Sorrell was a traditional second-round selection.

Townsend and Bailey were draft-eligible sophomores and all five Day 1 picks were from college.

How will they follow that up Sunday?

As a reminder, here are the slot values for the Cubs' selections:

• First round (23rd pick): $3,947,600
• Second round (62nd): $1,487,200
• Second round (comp., 75th): $1,120,900
• Third round (98th): $800,000
• Fourth round (126th): $609,200
• Fifth round (159th): $441,300
• Sixth round (188th): $344,400
• Seventh round (217th): $272,000
• Eighth round (247th): $224,100
• Ninth round (277th): $204,100
• 10th round (307th): $193,300

Players drafted in Rounds 11 through 20 have a soft cap of $150,000, with any amount over that counting against the bonus pool. That also goes for undrafted free agents, who will begin signing as soon as the final pick is made Sunday. Draft picks must sign by July 27 at 4 p.m. CT.

All of the draft coverage will be carried by MLB.com, MLB.tv and MLB+ beginning at 10:30 a.m. CT.

What do you think of the Cubs' draft so far? Do you have a favorite pick? Is there a player they should target on Day 2?

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[Outshined_One]

For those of you keeping an eye on such things, if you ignore the fact that this year's draft has the threat of a new CBA looming over everything, thereby throwing the signability of every non-college senior pick into question, the Cubs are likely set up to take one (maybe two) Wing/Hartshorn types.

[Jason Ross]

3 minutes ago, Outshined_One said:

For those of you keeping an eye on such things, if you ignore the fact that this year's draft has the threat of a new CBA looming over everything, thereby throwing the signability of every non-college senior pick into question, the Cubs are likely set up to take one (maybe two) Wing/Hartshorn types.

Zumach thinks maybe one. Doesn't get the idea the Cubs saved any slot Day 1.

My guess is that the Cubs take one kinda-fun prep guy who comes in below Hartshorn/Wing between 5-10. And then their typical upside-y 11th round guy ala Zyhir Hope/Eli Lovich kind of guy. 

[Bertz]

I presume whatever bonus baby they're saving for will come right away in round 5.  Round 11 was a spot spot historically because of the shift to non-guaranteed slot, but also the simple logistics of having an evening to work the phones and such.  Ending last night on Marrioneaux was also IMO a way to go into this break period with as much cash as possible and huddle about options.

Go into round 5 with as much cash as you can, shoot your shot, then you have rounds 6-10 to take seniors if your target ended up taking you over budget.

If they don't do anything super fun it's IMO a sign that Bailey cost an arm and a leg.

[Outshined_One]

2 hours ago, Bertz said:

If they don't do anything super fun it's IMO a sign that Bailey cost an arm and a leg.

I've been pondering this about Bailey. In normal years, he'd have a decent amount of leverage as a draft eligible sophomore coming back from injury. Buuuut he was the 75th pick and he's coming back from injury with a high swing and miss profile as a likely 1B. A guy like that could mash his way into the top 10 picks next season...or fall out of the Top 200, which, for all we know, might mean he goes undrafted next season because MLB owners are dumb like that with the new CBA.

I expect him to get overslot, but the Cubs undoubtedly did their homework on him and knew he'd be signable with this pick. He might only get a bit of an overage, but we'll see.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

2 hours ago, Bertz said:

I presume whatever bonus baby they're saving for will come right away in round 5.  Round 11 was a spot spot historically because of the shift to non-guaranteed slot, but also the simple logistics of having an evening to work the phones and such.  Ending last night on Marrioneaux was also IMO a way to go into this break period with as much cash as possible and huddle about options.

Go into round 5 with as much cash as you can, shoot your shot, then you have rounds 6-10 to take seniors if your target ended up taking you over budget.

If they don't do anything super fun it's IMO a sign that Bailey cost an arm and a leg.

Agreed.

Across the league, in the previous format, Round 4 had also become a popular prep overslot option (where the Cubs got Wing last year) since you got a night to make calls. That’s where we are to start Round 5 today,

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Would love Murdoch and/or Willits.

Also the Cubs always take a college C before round 10 - give me Cash Dugger.

[Outshined_One]

Cuvet to the Nats, darn. There goes my "Oops! All dongsmiths!" dream draft.

[Outshined_One]

12 minutes ago, CaliforniaRaisin said:

Would love Murdoch and/or Willits.

[Jason Ross]

1 minute ago, Outshined_One said:

There goes Willits. Stop ruining all of our fun.

[Outshined_One]

Just now, Jason Ross said:

There goes Willits. Stop ruining all of our fun.

Marohn, too.  😞

[Outshined_One]

Guessing only one of the HS kids was willing to pick up the phone last night?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Another Bruin to a non-Cubs NLC team or the White Sox.

Sigh.

[Outshined_One]

Always fun when you draft a guy whose last name sounds vaguely like a sex act.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

RHP Dylan Blomker, 6'3 prep pitcher from New Mexico

[Jason Ross]

LSU commit. That's a no joke sign.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

HS alert

[CaliforniaRaisin]

LSU commit. This is from BA: 

[Outshined_One]

Just now, CaliforniaRaisin said:

LSU commit. This is from BA: 

[Jason Ross]

Greg didn't think he was signable. So that's fun-fun.

[Jason Ross]

Blomker looks, physically, like Jameson Taillon. 

[Outshined_One]

And now, a friendly reminder that Brooks Caple and Pierce Coppola were college senior signs over the last two years.

Not all of those guys end up as fodder and minor league depth.

[ILMindState]

4 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

Blomker looks, physically, like Jameson Taillon. 

Our draft strategy this year is to acquire as many Jameson Taillon comps as possible. 

[Bertz]

From an LSU account

So more Mule than wing but still significant 

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]