Cubs' first-round pick next summer will be lowest since their 2019 draft disaster

The first overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft belongs to a baseball team from the city of Chicago... but, unfortunately, that team is the Chicago White Sox instead of the Chicago Cubs.

The White Sox entered Tuesday night's MLB Draft Lottery with the highest odds of coming away with the top pick and there was no surprise there as the rebuilding club looks to lock in on a young talent to build around in the years to come.

Rounding out the top 5 are the Rays, Twins, Giants and, most relevant to the Cubs as a division rival, the Pirates. Chicago wasn't a part of this year's lottery, but with the order locked in, it's worth taking a look at where Jed Hoyer will pick in the 2026 Draft.

MLB Draft Lottery yet another reminder of tough Cubs draft position

Chicago will select 23rd in the first round next July - the lowest spot the team has had since the ill-fated 2019 MLB Draft, when the Cubs selected right-hander Ryan Jensen out of California State University.

More than five years after being drafted, Jensen, now 28, is yet to make his MLB debut - and has bounced around in recent years after the Cubs moved on from him a couple of years ago. Chicago placed him on waivers in 2023 and, since, has spent time in the systems of the Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins.

The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Michael Busch just four picks later that year, one pick after the New York Yankees drafted Anthony Volpe. The Cubs are hoping they can have better fortunes with next summer's selection - and hope to find success more akin to when they snagged Nico Hoerner in the 24th round back in 2018 rather than the disappointment Jensen turned out to be.