Cubs roll the dice on five-pitch college arm Cade Townsend
Chicago used the 23rd pick to draft Ole Miss right-hander Cade Townsend, a 6'1", 185-pound five-pitch starter who sits 95–96 mph (up to 98) with a plus fastball, cutter, and splitter, plus an average slider and curve. Townsend flashed frontline upside in college but dealt with late-season shoulder soreness and control questions. The Cubs, prioritizing pitching, see a potential mid-rotation type who could move quickly through the system if healthy, potentially reaching the majors by 2028, with medicals at the Combine helping ease concerns.
