For the first time in University of Mississippi baseball history, two Rebels have been drafted in the same first round of the MLB Draft, marking a milestone that underscores the program’s rising prominence.
A double first‑round breakthrough
Cade Townsend, a 2026 Golden Spikes Semifinalist, was chosen by the Chicago Cubs with the 23rd overall pick, while right‑hander Taylor Rabe went 30th overall to the Kansas City Royals.
Townsend’s season statistics were equally impressive: he posted a 3.81 ERA, limited opponents to a .218 batting average, allowed just nine home runs, and recorded 26 strikeouts looking, while his strikeout‑to‑walk ratio of 4.00 placed him 16th in the SEC.
He also ranked sixth in the conference with 12.38 strikeouts per nine innings and posted a WHIP of 1.20, earning his first SEC Pitcher of the Week honor since 2021.
Rabe, meanwhile, led all Rebel starters with a 3.55 ERA, a .221 opponent batting average, 30 runs allowed, 15 walks, and a strikeout‑to‑walk ratio of 7.00, the best in the SEC.
He struck out 105 batters in 2026, becoming the first Rebel pitcher since Liam Doyle in 2024 to notch back‑to‑back 10‑plus strikeout outings, and his 27 strikeouts over two starts rank among the most dominant two‑game stretches since Gunnar Hoglund in 2021.
Both pitchers finished the season strong, with Townsend delivering three consecutive quality starts from April 4 to April 18 and Rabe closing out the year with 51 strikeouts over his final five starts.
The achievements come as Ole Miss continues to develop talent that not only excels on the mound but also contributes to the broader baseball landscape, as evidenced by the program’s recent representation in the Golden Spikes Award conversation.
The draft selections were announced in Philadelphia, where the MLB Draft took place, highlighting the city’s role as a hub for baseball’s next generation.