MLB teams with affiliates in the Knoxville Smokies' Southern League picked up top talent in the 2025 draft. Who could be coming to Covenant Health Park?

The Cubs selected three players with Alabama ties, including Crimson Tide pitcher Kade Snell and Troy pitcher Noah Edders.

K ade Snell took on a variety of roles in two seasons as a member of the Alabama baseball team. After finishing fourth in the SEC in batting average this year, the veteran and 2025 team captain heard his name called in the MLB Draft in the 5th round with the 151st overall pick by the Chicago Cubs.

Dan Kantrovitz, the Cubs’ vice president of scouting, saw an uptick in text messages from scouts when Chicago was facing Houston last month at Daikin Park. For one night, the collective work of the Cubs’ scouting department was in the spotlight.