2026 Chicago Cubs MLB Draft Day 1 Thread

Hey. It's Jasa. 

Just now, Jason Ross said:

Hey. It's Jasa. 

I kind of like this pick. Rework the fastball and you've got something pretty good.

Not a senior, who dis dude?

2 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

Probably $1m to get some of the prep arms who are "interesting but aren't top-recruits". They can likely find this amount. You probably go with a cold weather kid who is under recruited. 

Ok, cool. Maybe they will do that then. Wasn’t sure what kids got in college. 

Just now, Tryptamine said:

I kind of like this pick. Rework the fastball and you've got something pretty good.

I love this pick. RHP who can hit high 90's and has more in him. He looks like Cam Schlitter (he isn't Cam Schlitter). Big upside. And has floor as a nasty reliever.

Jasa & Jace Beck

Just now, Rcal10 said:

Ok, cool. Maybe they will do that then. Wasn’t sure what kids got in college. 

Some of them get good paydays. But especially cold weather kids aren't getting big SEC NIL deals. You won't be buying out a Vandy recruit with $1m. But a Seton Hall recruit who will transfer to an SEC school before his junior year? You can buy them out.

Giant dude who can't throw strikes? Is this Dakota Mekkes?

Just now, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

Giant dude who can't throw strikes? Is this Dakota Mekkes?

The fastball is the issue, the breaking stuff is not. He's kind of perfect for what the Cub pitch lab is good at fixing.

Neat trivia that Caden Sorrell grandfather, Billy was on the same rookie card as Ferguson Jenkins

Edited July 11 by NorthsideAvenger

1 minute ago, Jason Ross said:

I love this pick. RHP who can hit high 90's and has more in him. He looks like Cam Schlitter (he isn't Cam Schlitter). Big upside. And has floor as a nasty reliever.

Think he goes under slot? I wouldn't imagine he's a big under slot, but maybe 100-150K under on the 800K slot?

Just now, Tryptamine said:

The fastball is the issue, the breaking stuff is not. He's kind of perfect for what the Cub pitch lab is good at fixing.

And there's a positive: he basically didn't throw it. And he's coming to an organization that loves the fastball. If you can get him a feel for it a bit more, it should clean up control issues.

Just now, Tryptamine said:

Think he goes under slot? I wouldn't imagine he's a big under slot, but maybe 100-150K under on the 800K slot?

I doubt it. Zumach had him at $1.2m or so in his mock. I'd assume he comes in at, if not a bit over (maybe the small savings with Townsend goes to Jasa for neutral spending?)

3 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

Giant dude who can't throw strikes? Is this Dakota Mekkes?

Miz retro draft??

4 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Ok, cool. Maybe they will do that then. Wasn’t sure what kids got in college. 

NIL is more likely to go towards transfers than freshmen, too. Even if you're a Top 50 recruit, you likely won't be a starter on Day 1 on campus.

It's a consideration, but more a "money now on MLB or money later in college and MLB" thing.

Unless they're going mostly senior signs the rest of the way, not sure they're going to be able to pop and other big names. 

3 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

Unless they're going mostly senior signs the rest of the way, not sure they're going to be able to pop and other big names. 

Yeah, I'd expect that it's going to be a lot of college lottery tickets who are pitchers and then a fun 11th round guy from here on out. 

Good lord they went real deep dive on that pick. 

He was committed to transfer to Alabama. Interesting

9 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

He was committed to transfer to Alabama. Interesting

Miami, LSU and Alabama were all in on his recruitment. Big program. He's 6'3". looks like he's rail thin; 165lbs was his most recent listing. Hits high 80's but not hard to think with 30lbs he can be 92-94.

dear lord, let this boy eat

1 minute ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

dear lord, let this boy eat

One listing I found on him had him at 6'2" and 145lbs. There's not a lot on his stuff outside of a few things of high 80's. But I like it. He's a fun developmental dart throw.

So I'm not in love with day 1, but I think it was pretty good. There's no one I was super high on, but there was no one I looked at and was just like, why? Interesting that they completely changed up their philosophy compared to last year.

3 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

So I'm not in love with day 1, but I think it was pretty good. There's no one I was super high on, but there was no one I looked at and was just like, why? Interesting that they completely changed up their philosophy compared to last year.

I'm a weird way, these are my favorite drafts: the ones where I'm not over the moon with anything but every pick has upside. The ones where you'd fall in love with player X usually ends up a bummer when they inevitably flop.

This year feels like 4 solid lottery tickets, all of whom have pretty significant upside, and some real flaws with them. They drafted a talent in every spot, but one who requires development. Enough that I'm sure they got something with someone, just not sure if it's Jada or Sorrell or Townsend or Bailey. Nor do I think I care which one it is. 

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.