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Cubs Draft Cade Townsend First-Round, Prioritize Pitching

7/14/2026

Summary

Cubs Draft Townsend

The Chicago Cubs selected pitcher Cade Townsend with their first-round pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.
The team made 21 total selections, of which 16 were pitchers and three of the five Day 1 picks were arms.
Fans urged the front office to add more pitching, prompting the Cubs to heavily target arms.
Analysts rank Townsend among the top three pitching prospects in the Cubs system.

Summary

Cubs Draft Pitchers

The Cubs will not avoid drafting pitchers that underwent Tommy John surgery, citing Isaac Morton’s case.
Scouting conducts vetting through combine interviews and talks with coaches and teammates, according to Dan Kantrovitz.
Jed Hoyer and Dan Kantrovitz have delivered early-round success each year since 2022, shaping a draft-first plan.
The Cubs selected high-school pitcher Dylan Blomker for upside and used the compensation pick from losing Kyle Tucker on Myles Bailey.

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Cubs Draft Townsend

The Chicago Cubs selected pitcher Cade Townsend with their first-round pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.
The team made 21 total selections, of which 16 were pitchers and three of the five Day 1 picks were arms.
Fans urged the front office to add more pitching, prompting the Cubs to heavily target arms.
Analysts rank Townsend among the top three pitching prospects in the Cubs system.

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