Dylan Marionneaux, a 6‑foot‑3, 165‑pound right‑handed pitcher from Zachary, Louisiana, heard his name called in the fourth round of the 2026 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs. The selection marks the culmination of a season in which he dominated the Southland Conference and attracted attention from scouts across the league.
During the 2026 campaign Marionneaux posted a 3.51 earned run average while throwing 84 ⅔ innings, the most in the conference. He struck out 81 batters and limited opponents to a .233 batting average, earning first‑team All‑Southland honors and three Pitcher‑of‑the‑Week recognitions. His three complete games and a career‑high 14 starts underscored his durability and command.
After the draft, Marionneaux expressed excitement and a clear focus on continued growth as he begins his professional journey. "I’m thrilled to join the Cubs organization," he said, "and I’m eager to keep improving and contribute at the next level."
A Milestone for Northwestern State
Marionneaux becomes the fifth Demon to be drafted by the Cubs and the highest‑selected player from Northwestern State since Mason Melotakis in 2012. He follows Alex Makarewich, who was chosen by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2023 draft, as the most recent Demon to reach the major‑league draft.
The selection also places Marionneaux among a select group of recent Northwestern State alumni who have signed professional contracts, including Brandon Emanuel, Kevin Needham, Terry Joseph, Rolando Fernandez and Vaughn Williams, all of whom have pursued careers in professional baseball.
The Chicago Cubs organization will now work with Marionneaux to develop his repertoire and harness his proven work ethic. With a strong foundation in both performance and academics at Northwestern State University, he joins a pipeline of talent that the Cubs hope will contribute to future success on the mound.