The Chicago Cubs have made it quite clear in recent years that they have a penchant for selecting college hitters in the first round, hoping these players can quickly progress through the minor leagues. This strategy has paid dividends with players like Matt Shaw and Cam Smith, while Ethan Conrad stands as the rare exception to this rule. Now that Conrad is back to full health, there's optimism that he can follow a more traditional development path.
This approach hasn't been a misstep for the Cubs. Shaw is carving out a role in the starting lineup, and Smith played a pivotal role as a trade chip in acquiring Kyle Tucker.
So, if the Cubs were to continue this trend in the 2026 MLB Draft, it would seem logical. However, this season has highlighted a pressing need for healthy pitching talent throughout the organization.
Given this necessity, it would be sensible for the Cubs to consider drafting a college pitcher who could make an impact in the majors sooner rather than later.
Jim Callis from MLB Pipeline provides an interesting perspective, suggesting that the Cubs might find themselves in a position where the pitchers they have their eyes on are already taken by the time they pick at No. 23. This scenario is why Callis predicts the Cubs might opt for TCU outfielder Sawyer Strosnider in his latest mock draft.
Strosnider fits the mold of college hitters the Cubs are fond of. With the right development, he has the potential to become a left-handed power hitter in the majors. Like many young sluggers, he'll need to refine his approach to pitches outside the strike zone, but his ceiling remains high.
So, why might the Cubs target another outfielder in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft? It might seem puzzling, especially considering they picked an outfielder last year and already have several promising prospects from that class.
But there's a method to this madness. Kevin Alcantara is likely to be traded by the MLB trade deadline, and with Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki both hitting free agency after this season, the Cubs' future outfield configuration is uncertain beyond Pete Crow-Armstrong.
In light of these potential roster changes, adding another outfielder as the top pick in this year's draft makes sense. That said, if a pitcher who aligns with their needs is available, that could very well be the direction they decide to go.
In Other News...
Cubs May Already Have A Carson Kelly Backup Plan Brewing
Carson Kelly has given the Cubs exactly what they hoped for this season, settling in as a reliable force behind the plate and making himself one of the more appealing catchers headed toward free agency. The problem for Chicago is that a strong year from Kelly only sharpens the next question, because the front office is juggling more than one roster need and cant treat catcher as the only item on the list.
If Kelly prices himself into a different tier this winter, the Cubs may need a cleaner backup plan than simply hoping everything works out. The organization has internal options it can sort through if he departs, but it is also keeping an eye on the future at the position, where the 2026 draft could offer a long-term answer and help shape what Chicago looks like behind the plate in the years ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Just Sent Another Message To The Brewers And The Central
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The pitching staff did its part again, piecing together 10 innings with 12 strikeouts and just two earned runs allowed while the offense found enough late to push ahead. Seiya Suzuki came through in the 10th with a clutch two-run single, and the Cubs even had to manage a late Brewers push before finally closing the door, a reminder that this kind of momentum only counts if they can keep stacking nights like this. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Fans Are Running Out Of Patience With Alex Bregman
Alex Bregmans first season with the Cubs has been short on the kind of impact Chicago expected, and the unease around his bat has only grown as the summer has worn on. He has struggled to produce in big spots, especially with runners in scoring position, where the numbers have sunk well below what a middle-of-the-order hitter is supposed to provide.
The frustration is not just about missed chances at the plate, either. In a recent game against the Brewers, Bregman drew heat for the way he handled a ground ball in the box, a moment that fit the broader concern around his season: the Cubs are still waiting for the version of him that changes games, not the one who keeps leaving fans wanting more. [Read more 🡒]