Cubs Draft Northwestern State Pitcher Dylan Marionneaux In Fourth Round

Marionneaux’s College stats make him a surprise pick

Northwestern State right‑hander Dylan Marionneaux went 4‑2 with a 3.51 ERA over 14 starts for the Demons. He tossed 84.2 innings, striking out 81 while walking 18. Marionneaux earned first‑team Southland Conference honors this season. Before the draft he had pledged to transfer to Alabama for his senior year.

The Cubs selected him in the fourth round, a move that puzzled many observers. What tipped the scales was his willingness to sign for a below‑slot bonus. That choice frees up cash for later picks, especially among high‑school prospects still on the board Sunday.

Marionneaux isn’t listed among Baseball America’s top 500 prospects, which adds to the intrigue. Still, his control numbers look solid, and signability picks sometimes blossom into contributors. Riley Martin, a Quincy University senior drafted for $1,000 in 2021, briefly looked like a key Cubs reliever before injury sidelined him.

Why the Cubs would still gamble on a low‑profile arm

Even if the primary goal was to allocate funds for elite high‑school talent, the Cubs must have seen something worth keeping. Past below‑slot selections like Dominick Reid (third round, 2022) and Kade Snell (fifth round, 2022) enabled the club to nab Kaleb Wing and Josiah Hartshorn, now two of Chicago’s top prospects. Those examples show the strategic value of sacrificing early picks for later upside.

The draft’s later rounds still feature notable high‑school names: Joseph Contreras (son of former All‑Star José Contreras), two‑way player Archer Horn, right‑handers Savion Sims, and outfielder Blake Bowen, among others. Joseph Contreras, for instance, adds a familiar pedigree to the mix.

Given the Cubs’ recent pattern of turning lower‑round picks into contributors, Marionneaux could follow a similar trajectory. The organization’s willingness to gamble suggests they believe hidden potential in the Northwestern State product. Only time will tell if he lives up to the expectation.