Who will the Cubs take with their first pick in the '26 Draft?

When the Cubs ended a four-season playoff drought in 2025 and went on to win their first postseason series in eight years, the Draft played a significant role.

First-round picks Ian Happ (2015), Nico Hoerner (2018), Cade Horton (2022) and Matt Shaw (2023) were mainstays in the lineup and rotation. Another, Cam Smith (2024), was a key part of the deal that landed Kyle Tucker last offseason. Two over-slot signings, Jackson Ferris (2022) and Zyhir Hope (2023), were parlayed into a trade for Michael Busch the winter before.

In Dan Kantrovitz's first Draft as Chicago's scouting director in 2020, he nabbed local prep shortstop Ed Howard with his top selection. Since then he has spent all of his first-rounders on collegians: a pair of arms in Jordan Wicks (2021) and Horton, then three straight bats with Shaw, Smith and Ethan Conrad (2025).

Who might the Cubs select with the 23rd overall choice in the 2026 Draft? Let's take a look . . .

Projection in this week's early mock draft:

Chris Rembert, 2B, Auburn (No. 25)
Some evaluators believe Rembert could be the best pure hitter in the college class, and the bat-first second baseman draws comparisons to Howie Kendrick and Christian Moore. A sophomore-eligible, he slashed .344/.467/.555 with 10 homers and more walks (37) than strikeouts (36) as a freshman. He might not have more than 15-homer power, though he has the strength and bat speed to provide more pop if he learns to pull and lift balls more frequently.

Three more possibilities:

Eric Becker, SS, Virginia (No. 21)
Becker has a similar profile to his younger brother Nick, whom the Mariners drafted in the second round last July. Both are offensive-minded middle infielders with a chance to stick at shortstop, though Eric's instincts outshine his tools for the position. He batted .368/.453/.617 last spring.

Zion Rose, OF, Louisville (No. 27)
A Chicago native whose favorite team is the Cubs, Rose led Louisville to the 2025 College World Series by hitting .310/.396/.552 with 13 homers and 31 steals. He's a physical right-handed hitter whose bat speed and strength fuel high exit velocities and plus raw power. A former catcher, he's more athletic than most 6-foot-1, 210-pounders.

Hunter Dietz, LHP, Arkansas (No. 38)
Though Dietz worked just 1 2/3 innings in his first two seasons at Arkansas because of a stress fracture in his elbow that required surgery and a subsequent setback, he was spectacular in fall practice. He reached 99 mph with a fastball that featured impressive carry at times and natural cut at others and showed the makings of a plus curveball in the upper 70s. He has much to prove in the spring.