Jaxon Wiggins Key Name to Watch Ahead of Trade Deadline
It’s become clear that prospect prices are through the roof this trade deadline, as contending teams are hoping their counterparts will lower their demands before pulling the trigger. Even if prices do fall, the Cubs are poised for a big week, needing several pitching upgrades before they can realistically hope to make a deep postseason run.
Jed Hoyer’s farm system isn’t considered top-tier, but he does have several solid pieces at his disposal. MLB Pipeline currently ranks five Cubs prospects in the top 100: Owen Caissie, Moisés Ballesteros, Jefferson Rojas, Kevin Alcántara, and Jaxon Wiggins. While Caissie has generated the most hype among fans and the media, teams appear to be more focused on another young Cub.
Amid a flurry of recent trade negotiations, Jaxon Wiggins has emerged as a hot commodity for opposing teams. Although the prospect rankings might suggest otherwise, it’s fair to say that other front offices view him as the most valuable asset in the Cubs’ system.
The right-hander has pitched at both High-A and Double-A in 2025 and appears to be nearing another promotion, thanks to his strong performance with the Tennessee Smokies. Before that, he posted a 1.71 ERA with the South Bend Cubs, along with a 12.00 K/9 and a 39.7% ground ball rate.
Since his promotion to Tennessee, Wiggins has continued to dominate. His fastball sits around 97 mph and has the potential to touch triple digits multiple times in a single outing. With the Smokies, he’s posted a 0.98 WHIP over 36 innings, though the top prospect has logged only two innings so far in July.
Jaxon Wiggins spins 5 2/3 no-hit frames, leading the way in a Double-A @smokiesbaseball no-hitter ‼️
The @Cubs' No. 9 prospect ties his career high with nine punchouts, lowering his season ERA to 1.92 across 12 outings. pic.twitter.com/ckmPpuUsy5
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 15, 2025
The Cubs have opted to manage Wiggins’ workload carefully, even scratching him from a scheduled start on Friday. Although he was named to the Futures Game roster, he was later removed as the team continues to limit his innings.
With the trade deadline set for next Thursday afternoon, Wiggins may remain inactive until after that date. Given the market’s strong tilt in favor of sellers, Hoyer may be forced to part with multiple top prospects in order to secure true, needle-moving upgrades.
