Cubs Mock Draft Update: College/Prep Split With First Two Picks

This draft cycle, we’re going to try something new. Every few weeks, I’ll be posting an article listing out who the Cubs would select based on their position on the consensus draft board. As the consensus board is updated, the players in those spots will be adjusted and I’ll post another update.

This is not a mock draft. Rather, I’m hoping it’ll give readers an idea of the caliber of talent in each of the team’s first few picks. Additionally, it should help readers who want to dig into draft coverage a bit more get familiar with the class.

Here would be the Cubs first two picks by consensus draft ranking as of 05.23.25

First Round (17th Overall): Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas
Aloy came to Arkansas by way of Sacramento State, where he bagged WAC freshman of the year in 2023. He put together a strong first season for the Razorbacks, smacking 14 home runs on his way to an .841 OPS. He followed that up with an incandescent stretch on the Cape, clubbing 8 home runs and posting a .994 OPS in 21 games for Yarmouth.

Aloy has good bat speed and legit pop, especially to the pull side. He's typically been a hyper aggressive hitter with some swing and miss in his profile. He is susceptible to spin and off-speed pitches in general, with a few holes in his swing. He's tamped down some of the noise in his operation in 2025. He sets up quietly at the plate, with a neutral stance and a toe tap timing mechanism. The expansive chase rate is a concern, and he'll have to continue to sure up his defense to stick at shortstop as a pro. 

In 2025, he carried over his incredible Cape stretch into the college season, cutting into his strikeout rate and putting up massive slugging numbers (1.137 OPS, 141 wRC+), while showing much improved defense at shortstop. There’s some risk to mitigate with the hit tool, but Aloy is an electric talent and one of the higher upside options in this year's college class.

Second Round (56th Overall): Briggs McKenzie, LHP, Corinth Holders HS, NC
McKenzie is a 6’2, 185 pound lefty out of North Carolina currently committed to LSU. It’s a lean, projectable frame and a buttery smooth delivery that’s repeatable with good deception. His fastball has ticked up since last summer, sitting 90-92 mph and tickling 94 mph. He’s able to spot it consistently for strikes up in the zone with good carry. McKenzie shows an affinity for spin, he throws a curveball in the high 70s to low 80s with good depth, in addition to a mid-80s changeup. This is a classic projection lefty profile. A lean frame, solid but not yet overwhelming stuff, with pitchability and plenty of strikes. He’s an up arrow arm this spring and could make his way into the comp round, especially if he maintains his velocity gains, or even adds a tick more.

Check out our 2026 mock draft board, updated regularly, and with detailed player write-ups!