The time is already here again: The 2026 MLB Draft gets underway on Saturday at 12 p.m. CT in Philadelphia, and Chicago Cubs fans will get a glimpse at the future when the team selects the No. 23 overall pick in the first round. The Cubs have managed to find gems in both the first round and later rounds. Just last year, they selected newly minted No. 2 prospect Josiah Hartshorn in the sixth round (No. 181 overall). The Cubs' Nos. 4 and 5 prospects, Ethan Conrad and Kane Kepley, were the Cubs' first- and second-rounders last year, respectively.Other mid-to-late-first round talents that Cubs VP of Scouting Dan Kantrovitz and the front office have selected since Kantrovitz joined the club in 2019 include Cade Horton, Matt Shaw, and Cam Smith. It's also worth noting that, while he wasn't a pick under the current scouting department, Nico Hoerner went No. 24 overall to the Cubs in 2018.All in all, the Cubs have proven to have an eye for amateur talent over the years, and this draft should be no different. The question that lingers is, will the Cubs continue their trend of selecting college hitters, or will they take a different route?Aside from No. 23 overall, the Cubs also own Nos. 62, 75, 98, and 126 on Day 1. Let's take a look at how experts see things shaking out for Chicago on draft day!When Is the MLB Draft?Day 1: Saturday, July 11 (Rounds 1-4)• 12:00-1:30 p.m. CT - Picks 1-10 (NBC/Peacock)• 1:30-3:30 p.m. CT - Picks 11-40 (MLB Network, MLB.com, MLB TV, MLB+)• 3:30-6:45 p.m. CT - Picks 41-135 (MLB.com, MLB TV, MLB+)Day 2: Sunday, July 12 (Rounds 5-20)• 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. CT (MLB.com, MLB TV, MLB+)Mock Draft Roundup: Who Experts See the Cubs Taking at No. 23MLB Pipeline: Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal CarolinaJun 21, 2025; Omaha, Neb, USA; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers starting pitcher Cameron Flukey (2) throws against the LSU Tigers during the first inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect2026 stats: 24.0 IP, 31 SO, 4.13 ERAJonathan Mayo: "If things shake out like this, with that long run of college hitters, that could lead the Cubs to honing in on college arms. Flukey gets the spot this week, but there’s a group Chicago could consider, including Kuhns, Carlon, Southern Cal’s Mason Edwards and Mississippi’s Cade Townsend."For what it's worth, ESPN actually has Cameron Flukey currently ranked as their No. 19 prospect, while MLB Pipeline has him listed at No. 15. In other words, Flukey sliding all the way to the Cubs could be considered quite the win. Flukey may not be the most polished college pitcher, but he has the kind of swing-and-miss stuff that this Cubs organization could really use in their system. The Athletic: Zion Rose, OF, LouisvilleLouisville’s Zion Rose hit a home run against Kentucky at Jim Patterson Stadium in the 119th Battle of the Bluegrass.