Cubs MLB Draft 2026: Rounds 16-20

As much of the 2026 MLB Draft was about pitching, the final rounds were no different for the Chicago Cubs. With four more pitchers and a collegiate catcher joining the ranks, the Cubs clearly want older players who require less development, but rather are ready to work on things in the pitch lab.

Pitching has clearly been an issue, and the Cubs have shored that up. Here is what they’ve done throughout the early portions of the draft:

• Round 1: RHP Cade Townsend
• Round 2: OF Caden Sorrell
• Round 2C: 1B Myles Bailey
• Round 3: RHP Carson Jasa
• Round 4: RHP Dylan Marionneaux
• Round 5: RHP Dylan Blomker
• Rounds 6-10
• Rounds 11-15

Without further ado, here is how the Cubs faired in rounds 16-20. 

Round 16, Pick 487: RHP Ashton Pocol, Florida Gulf Coast

Ashton Pocol hails from the same school as Chris Sale, Florida Gulf Coast. The righty has almost exclusively pitched out of the bullpen, but posted some really nice numbers in two seasons with the program.

In 2025, Pocol managed only 10 appearances, but held a 1.37 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 19.2 innings. He saw plenty more work in 2026, pitching 33.1 innings across 21 appearances. The ERA went up to 3.24, but the strikeouts increased to 50 compared to just 10 walks.

Pocol fits the same profile the Cubs targeted all draft. They want guys who get strikeouts and already know how to pitch out of the bullpen. Pocol is no different as a late-round flier.

Round 17, Pick 517: RHP Ryan Marton, UNLV

Another college righty. Marton pitched just one season for UNLV, pitching to an unspectacular 6.16 ERA. The strikeout numbers don’t jump off the page, 22 in 19.1 innings, and Marton bounced between starter and reliever.

However, he is a big body. A 6-foot-4, 235-pound frame is a blank canvas for the Cubs’ pitch lab. The pick feels quite underwhelming, even at this point in the draft, but the low-risk, high-reward upside appears to be the Cubs’ cup of tea.

Round 18, Pick 547: RHP Luke McGrath, James Madison

See Ryan Marton above and there are a lot of the same feelings about Luke McGrath. Older college pitchers will sign for less and the Cubs have had success with some of these guys. Think about Riley Martin, who dazzled in limited time this season. He was a late-round, low-risk college guy who they can sign for minimal money.

McGrath pitched to a 5.79 ERA across 24 appearances in 2026. He threw a total of 28 innings and struck out exactly 28 batters. The walks are very high, 20, so his command will need to be something the Cubs work on.

Round 19, Pick 577: RHP Luke Guth, Vanderbilt

Another Luke. Luke Guth hails from baseball powerhouse Vanderbilt, and the Cubs may be looking at the 2025 version of Guth with his pick more than the 2026 version.

The junior pitched to a 5.18 ERA in 2026 across 23 appearances, fanning 40 batters but walking 20. Although those numbers in 33 innings of work feels underwhelming, his 0.93 ERA in 19.1 innings with 22 strikeouts and seven walks in 2025 raises some eyebrows.

Again; college arm, older, less development, full-time reliever. The Cubs took a ton of these guys in the 2026 MLB Draft.

Round 20, Pick 607: C Brennan Hudson, Georgia

Finally, the Cubs finished off the draft without taking another pitcher, but rather adding a collegiate catcher. Georgia product Brennan Hudson is a senior catcher. He has plenty of experience working a SEC pitching staff, and brings quite a bit of slug to the table as well.

In 2026, Hudson slashed .265/.452/.657 with 22 home runs and 51 RBIs. He also scored 55 runs, and has more walks and hit-by-pitches (42 and 23, respectively) than strikeouts (61). The ability to get on base while guiding a SEC pitching staff makes Hudson an appealing final pick for Chicago.

There is no guarantee the slug carries over to the pros, but the body of work is there as the Cubs add more catchers to their pipeline. Hudson also has experience playing first base in college.