Cubs undercut by Royals as they provide early shockwaves in 2026 MLB Draft

Zion Rose was rumored target for the Chicago Cubs in the 2026 MLB Draft, and there was general expectation that he would be available in the range of the team's selection at No. 23. What makes the draft perfect is that there are often teams that throw a wrench into everything.

For the Cubs, that team may have been the Kansas City Royals at No. 6. Despite Rose often being associated with teams at the bottom of the first round, the Royals took a gamble by the taking the Louisville outfielder.

Rose fits a similar profile to the one Ethan Conrad had last summer when the Cubs took him in the first round. Toward the end of the collegiate season, his stock was on the rise with the impression that he was one of the purest hitters in the draft. Between Conrad, Matt Shaw, and Cam Smith, that profile certainly fits the one the Cubs prefer when taking college bats in the draft. It's why many felt Rose would be an obvious selection for the Cubs in the first round.

Given that Rose's profile was on the ascent, there was no guarantee that he would be on the board once the Cubs made their selection. That said, it's still shocking that he went within the first ten selections of the draft.

With Zion Rose off the board, Cubs are left with options in the first round of 2026 MLB Draft

If the Cubs are planning on taking a college bat, with Rose now off the board, Texas Tech left fielder Logan Hughes could be the selection. The drop-off with Hughe is that his profile centers around his bat. His hit tool grades at 55, same with his power, but he's not considered to be an above-average fielder in the outfield. Not to mention, he could also be a liability on the base paths.

Perhaps, with Rose taken early by the Royals, the Cubs begin to accomplish their goal of adding pitching to the organization. MLB Pipeline's final mock draft had the Cubs taking left-handed pitcher Cole Carlon, and the Cubs have been linked to several college arms, including Mason Edwards and Cade Townsend.

The bottom of the first-round can be a bit of a guessing game, and if that's the case, perhaps the Cubs simply go under-slot with the idea of making upside high-school plays later in the draft. Hughes would certainly check that box.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow