One final MLB mock draft from MLB Pipeline has Cubs sticking with what they do best

In each of the last two MLB Drafts, the Chicago Cubs have, more or less, played it safe, selecting college position players in the first round. First, it was University of Maryland standout Matt Shaw in 2023 and, last summer, Jed Hoyer snagged rising Florida State Seminoles infielder Cam Smith.

Less than two years after being drafted, Shaw has spent the bulk of the 2025 season with the big-league team, and I needn't remind you all that Cam Smith looks like the real deal after going through some early-season struggles with the Houston Astros. The final mock draft from MLB Pipeline seems to think the Cubs won't fix what's not broke and will, once again, go with a college hitter with the #17 overall pick.

One last MLB mock draft has Cubs focused on college position players

MLB Pipeline's prospect experts Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo co-penned the final mock - each making a selection for each team in the first round. Callis has the Cubs going with Tennessee second baseman Gavin Kilen, who's known for having an 'advanced' bat and could climb through the organization quickly.

The 21-year-old Janesville, WI native slashed .357/.441/.671 this year with the Volunteers, his first season with the program after transferring in from the University of Louisville. Prior to starting his college career, he was actually drafted by the Boston Red Sox out of high school in the 13th round. His bat-to-ball skills were impressive this year: he punched out 27 times in 245 plate appearances.

Callis, meanwhile, reiterated that the Cubs' focus seems to be on college players. If they went arm, you could see College World Series standout Gage Wood or UC Santa Barbara right-hander Tyler Bremner - but he has them taking Arizona outfielder Brendan Summerhill, another big college bat.

Summerhill, a Chicago native, slashed .343/.459/.556 for the Wildcats this season and being selected by the Cubs would be a full-circle moment for the 21-year-old. He starred for Whitney Young - and when asked about the idea of being drafted by Jed Hoyer and the North Siders, he was near-giddy.

‘‘That’s pretty cool,’’ Summerhill told the Chicago Sun-Times. "That would be such a dream come true, maybe a little bit more than the next team [White Sox], just because of how I grew up going to games at Wrigley Field. And watching them win the World Series, watching them suck and watch them do all that ... I was one of the biggest Cubs fans. Javy Baez was one of my favorite Cubs.’’

Summerhill played center and right in his college career and draws wide praise for his bat. He's had a number of injuries in recent years, but is still expected to go before the first round is up.