​The next wave of exceptional prospects is finally here. The 2026 MLB Draft will officially kick off on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. CT. The first four rounds are scheduled for July 11, with rounds 5 through 20 taking place on Sunday, July 12. The Chicago Cubs hold the 23rd overall pick in the opening round, a position earned after they were eliminated by the Milwaukee Brewers in last year’s National League Division Series. Fans are eager to know who the front office will target with that selection. Will the Cubs nab a much-needed pitcher or a college outfielder? Could they pull off a surprise and select one of the top catchers in the class?
Here are three players the Cubs should consider in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft. If any of these prospects are available at No. 23, Chicago’s front office should be prepared to pounce.
Georgia catcher Daniel Jackson is hard to ignore if he’s still on the board at 23. He possesses all the tools to thrive in the big leagues, including plus power, hard contact, and an ability to threaten on the bases. In his final college season with the Bulldogs, Jackson posted an impressive line of .379/.473/.803 with 32 home runs, 14 doubles, 87 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases across 67 games. He captured the SEC triple crown and became the first catcher in Division I history to record a 20-home run, 20-stolen base season. Jackson isn’t your typical hitter; at 21 years old, he combines raw power with above-average speed on the basepaths. He enters MLB Pipeline’s rankings at No. 28 on the big board.
One concern for the Cubs could be UCLA pitcher Logan Reddemann, who carries an arm injury from his final collegiate season. He was initially diagnosed with arm fatigue by UCLA before the diagnosis of a flexor strain. Nevertheless, the upside is undeniable. Reddemann posted a 2.29 ERA and a 23.2% strikeout rate across 55 innings pitched in 2025, followed by a 2.87 ERA and a 35.7% strikeout rate across 59 2/3 innings this past season. Without the injury, he would likely have been a top-10 pick in this draft. He also features a four-seam fastball that reaches 99 mph and a solid changeup to complement it. Reddemann sits at No. 31 on MLB Pipeline’s big board.
The Cubs also need hard-throwing arms with upside in their system, and Arizona State starting pitcher Cole Carlon would be a perfect fit. Carlon stands out as one of the better strikeout pitchers in this class. He logged a 3.33 ERA with a 38.7% strikeout rate across 54 innings as a reliever in 2025, and then a 3.87 ERA with a 38% strikeout rate across 83 2/3 innings as a starter this past season. Carlon’s repertoire centers on an elite slider and a solid fastball, giving him the tools to miss bats at an elite level. With his upside and track record, Carlon would be an immediate impact addition to Chicago’s pitching staff.
In summary, if any of these prospects—Daniel Jackson, Logan Reddemann, or Cole Carlon—are available at No. 23, the Cubs should strongly consider selecting them. Each brings unique upside that could help the franchise push further in the postseason and build a formidable foundation for the coming years.