Cubs retreat to their safety net with 2026 MLB Draft second-round pick

After addressing a glaring need in the first round by selecting Mississippi right-hander Cade Townsend, the Chicago Cubs retreated to their tried-and-true draft approach in the second round, selecting Texas A&M outfielder Caden Sorrell with the 62nd overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.

MLB Pipeline had Sorrell ranked as their #33 overall prospect in this year's draft class - suggesting the Cubs may have themselves a second-round steal with this pick. The lefty outfielder slashed .341/.434/.743 for the Aggies this year as a junior, cementing his place as one of the SEC's top offensive threats.

He grades out with 60-grade arm and run tools and he's got power and bat speed, but could run into trouble if he solely focuses on pulling the ball in the air. A late-season slump and whiff concerns dampened enthusiasm for him over the course of the college slate. Still, given the Cubs' recent track record helping college bats quickly ascend through the organization and helping them make important adjustments, this feels like a really good pick for Jed Hoyer and company.

Cubs' recent wins drafting college hitters bodes well for Caden Sorrell

If there's one thing the Cubs do well, organizationally speaking, it's draft and develop college position players. We've seen that year-in and year-out of late, evidenced by the successes of Matt Shaw, Cam Smith and, most recently, Ethan Conrad.

Sorrell has a good amount of swing-and-miss in his game but if he can improve there, it's another pick with a ton of upside. You easily could have seen the A&M standout go late in the first round but, instead, the Cubs swoop in with what could be one of day 1's sneakiest wins if he ends up pushing up against his ceiling.

Looking at the Cubs' system, well, there's no shortage of outfield depth (which is good given Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ are both set to depart in free agency this winter). Sorrell joins the likes of Conrad, Josiah Hartshorn and Kane Kepley as some of their top young outfield talent - and, hopefully, the power plays and he hits the ground running in pro ball.

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