Chicago Cubs' 2026 MLB Draft Top Picks and Top 10 Prospects

The Chicago Cubs' top selection this year was Ole Miss right-hander Cade Townsend with the No. 23 overall pick.

So where does he slot into the bigger farm system picture?

The Cubs ranked No. 25 in our most recent farm system rankings update before the draft, and that was before Pedro Ramírez lost his prospect status, so an influx of talent is needed.

Let's unpack how all the Day 1 action unfolded for the Cubs, and how it changes the look of their system.

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Day 1 Draft Results

1st round, No. 23 overall: RHP Cade Townsend, Ole Miss
2nd round, No. 62 overall: OF Caden Sorrell, Texas A&M
2nd round, No. 75 overall: 1B Myles Bailey, Florida State
3rd round, No. 98 overall: RHP Carson Jasa, Nebraska
4th round, No. 126 overall: RHP Dylan Marionneaux, Northwestern State

The Cubs added one of the most electric arms from the 2026 draft class in Cade Townsend. A slightly undersized frame and some effort in his mechanics do create reliever risk, but his stuff is big-league caliber, and he immediately becomes one of the standout arms in their system.

They also added two of the most productive power hitters in the nation this spring in Texas A&M outfielder Caden Sorrell and Florida State first baseman Myles Bailey.

Sorrell (1.177 OPS, 23 HR, 76 RBI) was a standout three-year performer in the SEC, while Bailey (1.494 OPS, 13 HR, 33 RBI) was on his way to a monster draft-eligible sophomore season before suffering an ankle injury after 26 games.

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New Cubs Top 10 Prospect List

1. OF Josiah Hartshorn
2. SS Jefferson Rojas
3. OF Kane Kepley
4. OF Ethan Conrad
5. RHP Jaxon Wiggins
6. C Owen Ayers
7. RHP Cade Townsend
8. OF Caden Sorrell
9. RHP Kaleb Wing
10. RHP Dominick Reid

Crown Jewel: The Cubs gave Josiah Hartshorn a $2 million bonus in 2025, the largest ever given to a sixth-round selection. The 19-year-old is hitting .281/.400/.511 with 14 doubles, 15 home runs and 62 RBI in 76 games between Single-A and High-A while carrying a 15.3 percent walk rate.

System Weakness: Pitching development has not been a strength for the Cubs over the years, and even exceptions like Justin Steele and Cade Horton have dealt with injury issues. Can 2025 draft picks Dominick Reid (third round) and Kaleb Wing (fourth round) help reverse that trend?

Second-Half Outlook: Now that Pedro Ramírez is in the majors, no one is knocking on the big league door. Jonathon Long and James Triantos both represent MLB-ready bats in Triple-A that could get a look if injuries create an opportunity, but for now, they do not have a clear path to playing time.