With the 23rd pick looming, experts debate whether Chicago will target a high-upside college arm or bolster their outfield depth with a powerful left-handed slugger.
The 2026 MLB Draft will take place on Saturday, July 11, at 12 pm CST.
The first four rounds of the draft will take place on Saturday, and the last 16 rounds (5-20) will occur on Sunday. The Chicago Cubs will be picking 23rd overall after losing in the National League Divisional Round.
The Cubs’ last four first-round picks are Ethan Conrad (17th overall in 2025), Cam Smith (14th overall in 2024), Matt Shaw (13th overall in 2023), and Cade Horton (7th overall in 2022).
Who will the front office select with the 23rd overall pick this year? Let’s take a look at which players are being mocked to the Cubs one day before the MLB Draft.
ESPN: Logan Hughes, OF, Texas Tech
ESPN has the Cubs taking Texas Tech outfielder Logan Hughes with the 23rd overall pick. Hughes is a lefty swinging slugger who had a .913 OPS in his freshman season at Stetson.
Hughes then transferred to Texas Tech before his sophomore season, where his power has taken another step forward. He hit 19 long balls in 2024 and slashed .375/.510/.735 with 18 home runs, 70 RBI, and three stolen bases with the Red Raiders this year.
The 21-year-old has plenty of raw power and strong hitting tools. Hughes has a good eye at the plate and will take his walks when he needs to.
MLB: Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina
MLB Pipeline has the Cubs taking Coastal Carolina pitcher Cameron Flukey with their first-round selection. Flukey really broke out in his sophomore season with the Chanticleers, posting a 3.19 ERA, 1.003 WHIP, and a 28.5% strikeout rate in 2025.
Flukey didn’t have as strong a campaign this past season at Coastal Carolina. He missed two months due to a rib fracture and had a 4.13 ERA with a 30.7% strikeout rate across 24 innings pitched.
Despite that injury-riddled 2026 campaign, Flukey has plenty of potential. He has a mid-90s four-seam fastball that can reach 98 mph and some quality offspeed stuff. This would be a nice pick for the Cubs if he falls to them. He ranks No. 15 overall on MLB’s big board.
CBS Sports: Logan Reddemann, RHP, UCLA
CBS Sports has the Cubs taking UCLA right-hander Logan Reddemann with the 23rd overall pick. Reddemann is an interesting case because he is one of the best college arms in this year’s draft.
Reddemann finished with a 2.29 ERA, 1.018 WHIP, and a 23.2% strikeout rate across 55 innings pitched in 2025 and posted a 2.87 ERA, 0.972 WHIP, and an impressive 35.7% strikeout rate across 59 ⅔ innings pitched this past season. He has a fastball that touches 99 mph to go with a solid changeup.
The problem with Reddemann, though, is his existing arm injury. He dealt with some arm fatigue in his final college season at UCLA and was eventually diagnosed with a flexor strain. If the Cubs are encouraged by his physical, this could be a target for them. Chicago is notorious for taking pitchers coming off arm injuries early in drafts.
Athletic: Zion Rose, OF, Louisville
The Athletic has the Cubs taking Louisville outfielder Zion Rose. Rose actually grew up in Chicago and attended Brother Rice High School before spending his last high school season at IMG Academy.
Rose hit the ball well in his final college season at Louisville. Although he missed some time earlier in the year, the 21-year-old slashed .417/.491/.646 with six home runs, 47 RBI, and 24 stolen bases across 36 games.
The Louisville product has the potential to be a great all-around contributor. He could be a double-digit home run hitter while also stealing 20+ bases each year. Rose had 32 extra-base hits and 31 stolen bases in his sophomore season with the Cardinals in 2025.
