Brandon Arvidson Chosen by Cubs in 2026 MLB Draft

Draft Day Details

Left‑handed pitcher Brandon Arvidson left the 2026 MLB Draft with the Chicago Cubs as the 367th overall selection, a 12th‑round pick on July 12. He became the fifth player from Tennessee to hear his name called this year and the third pitcher among the Vol teammates to sign. The Cubs’ selection added depth to a roster that has long sought consistent right‑handed firepower.

Arvidson’s journey to the draft hall began with a transfer from San Jacinto College, where he posted a 3.84 ERA and 108 strikeouts over 61 innings in 2024. After a redshirt season at Texas A&M in 2023, he moved to Knoxville and spent two campaigns with the Vols, compiling a combined 4.19 ERA and a .196 batting average against. His 6‑foot‑5, 217‑pound frame gave scouts a projectable body to work with.

Tennessee’s Full Draft Class

The 2026 draft also featured three other Volunteers selected earlier in the process. Right‑hander Tegan Kuhns entered the first round as the 32nd overall pick by the St. Louis Cardinals. Third baseman Henry Ford was taken in the sixth round by the Colorado Rockies, while reliever Bo Rhudy landed with the Philadelphia Phillies in the seventh round and catcher/outfielder Garrett Wright joined the Angels as an eighth‑round pick. This class highlighted Tennessee’s depth across pitching and positional play.

Each of these prospects brings a distinct skill set to their new teams. Kuhns projects as a potential starter, Ford offers middle‑infield defense and bat, Rhudy provides bullpen experience, and Wright adds versatility behind the dish and on the bases. Together they continue a trend of strong output from the SEC program in recent drafts.

College Path and Performance

Arvidson’s college career included a redshirt freshman year at Texas A&M before moving to San Jacinto College for his sophomore season. After excelling in junior college, he transferred to Tennessee, where he logged 38.2 innings in 2025 with a 4.19 ERA, 70 strikeouts and a .196 average against. His strikeout rate that year reached 42.2 percent, a figure that caught the attention of draft evaluators.

In 2026, Arvidson saw limited starts but still contributed 37.1 innings as a reliever, posting a 4.34 ERA, 44 strikeouts and 14 walks. He also recorded a 12‑strikeout performance in the Knoxville Regional final, a outing that kept him in first‑round buzz despite his later draft position. Scouting reports noted his ability to dominate when healthy, especially with his high‑velocity delivery.

Cubs’ Prospects Outlook

The Chicago Cubs view Arvidson as a projectable arm who can add depth to an already solid farm system. His left‑handedness gives him a distinct advantage in a league that values south‑paw relievers and spot starters. Cubs officials expressed hope that his 6‑foot‑5 frame and 217‑pound strength will allow him to develop into a reliable middle‑relief option or even a swingman over the next few seasons.

Drafted at 237th overall by Baseball America but not listed among the top 250 by MLB Pipeline or ESPN, Arvidson represents a value pick for Chicago. The organization will likely focus on refining his command and stamina, aiming to unlock the strikeout potential that made him a standout in college regional play. If his development follows expectations, he could become a key piece of a bullpen that has struggled with consistency.

Arvidson entered the draft ranked by Baseball America as the No. 237 prospect but was not on lists of the top 250 prospects by MLB Pipeline or ESPN.

Pros, cons of Cubs picking Brandon Arvidson in MLB draft

Heading into the 2026 season, Arvidson was tabbed as a potential first‑round pick and weekend starter for the Vols. He had decided to come back despite being a top‑250 prospect and shining in the home stretch of the 2025 season, particularly in a 12‑strikeout performance in the Knoxville Regional final.

The season Arvidson was hoping for never materialized in 2026, with him being a key reliever but not cracking the starting rotation. His numbers were similar to the year before with fewer strikeouts and his batting average against jumped from .196 to .262.

When Arvidson is on, he can be a strikeout machine, like in 2025 when he had an eye‑popping strikeout rate of 42.2 percent. And at 6‑foot‑5, 217 pounds, Arvidson has a projectable frame and showed flashes during his college career. The Cubs will hope he can tap into that consistently.

Brandon Arvidson stats at Tennessee

After redshirting at Texas A&M as a freshman in 2023, Arvidson transferred to San Jacinto College, a junior college, for the 2024 season. In 17 appearances there, he had a 3.84 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 61 innings.

Arvidson made 30 appearances in 2025 as one of the Vols’ top relievers, finishing with a 4.19 ERA in 38.2 innings with 70 strikeouts and 22 walks. Batters had a .196 average against him.

In 2026, Arvidson threw a similar number of innings — 37.1 innings — in only 16 appearances, finishing with a 4.34 ERA. He struck out 44 and walked 14 with a .262 batting average against.

This blend of raw tools, high strikeout potential, and a solid senior college season gives the Chicago Cubs a projectable arm ready to learn the MLB grind.