The Chicago Cubs continued adding pitching depth during the 2026 MLB Draft, selecting Tennessee left-hander Brandon Arvidson with the 367th overall pick in the 12th round.

Arvidson became the fifth Tennessee player selected in this year’s draft and the third Volunteers pitcher to hear his name called, continuing another productive draft for one of college baseball’s premier programs.

Cubs Bet on High-Upside Left-Hander

Although Arvidson’s 2026 season didn’t fully match preseason expectations, his combination of size, velocity, and swing-and-miss ability made him an intriguing selection for Chicago.

Standing 6-foot-5 and 217 pounds, Arvidson possesses the physical frame that professional organizations covet, along with flashes of dominant strikeout stuff that suggest there is still considerable upside to unlock.

The Cubs will now look to help the former Volunteers reliever develop into a more consistent professional arm.

Brandon Arvidson’s 2026 Season

After entering the year as a candidate to become a weekend starter for Tennessee, Arvidson ultimately settled into a bullpen role during his redshirt junior campaign.

His 2026 numbers included:

• 4.34 ERA
• 37.1 innings pitched
• 44 strikeouts
• 14 walks

While his strikeout total declined from the previous season and opponents hit .262 against him, Arvidson remained an important late-inning option for the Volunteers throughout the year.

Strikeout Potential Still Stands Out

Despite an inconsistent 2026 campaign, Arvidson has repeatedly shown the ability to overpower hitters.

During the 2025 season, he emerged as one of Tennessee’s top relievers, posting:

• 4.19 ERA
• 38.2 innings
• 70 strikeouts
• 22 walks
• .196 opponent batting average

His 42.2% strikeout rate that season ranked among the most impressive in college baseball and demonstrated the swing-and-miss arsenal that initially generated first-round draft buzz.

One of his signature performances came during Tennessee’s Knoxville Regional final, where he struck out 12 batters, showcasing the dominant ceiling that professional scouts continue to believe in.

Journey to Tennessee

Arvidson took an unconventional path to the SEC.

His collegiate career included stops at:

• Texas A&M (2023) — Redshirt season
• San Jacinto College (2024)
• Tennessee (2025-2026)

At San Jacinto College, he posted impressive numbers:

• 3.84 ERA
• 108 strikeouts
• 61 innings pitched
• 17 appearances

That breakout season helped earn his transfer to Tennessee, where he developed into one of the Volunteers’ key bullpen arms over the next two years.

Why the Cubs Selected Arvidson

Although Arvidson wasn’t listed among the Top 250 prospects by MLB Pipeline or ESPN, Baseball America ranked him No. 237 overall, reflecting the industry’s belief in his raw talent.

Chicago is likely betting on several factors:

• Projectable 6-foot-5 frame
• Left-handed power arm
• Proven strikeout ability
• Previous success against elite SEC competition
• Developmental upside

Pitchers with premium size and swing-and-miss stuff often become attractive value selections in the later rounds, even after inconsistent college seasons.

Tennessee’s Strong MLB Draft Continues

Arvidson became the latest Volunteer selected during an impressive 2026 MLB Draft for Tennessee.

The Volunteers have now seen the following players drafted:

• Tegan Kuhns — 1st Round (St. Louis Cardinals)
• Henry Ford — 6th Round (Colorado Rockies)
• Bo Rhudy — 7th Round (Philadelphia Phillies)
• Garrett Wright — 8th Round (Los Angeles Angels)
• Brandon Arvidson — 12th Round (Chicago Cubs)

The continued success highlights Tennessee’s reputation as one of college baseball’s top talent-producing programs.

Outlook

The Chicago Cubs may have landed one of the more intriguing developmental pitching prospects in the later rounds of the 2026 MLB Draft.

While Brandon Arvidson didn’t enjoy the breakout season many anticipated, his elite strikeout potential, left-handed profile, projectable frame, and flashes of dominance provide plenty of reasons for optimism. If Chicago’s player development staff can help him consistently harness his arsenal, Arvidson has the tools to outperform his draft position and work his way through the Cubs’ minor league system.