The Cubs' Rising Star: A Prospect's Motivation
In a recent development that has sparked excitement and controversy, Chicago Cubs fans were treated to an unexpected revelation when Keith Law, a renowned baseball analyst, unveiled his preseason top 100 prospects list. Among the surprises, Kevin Alcantara, a name that had faded from many top-100 rankings, emerged as Law's top Cubs prospect, even surpassing the highly anticipated Moises Ballesteros, who is set to make waves for the major league club in 2026.
But here's where it gets intriguing: Law's list included only three Cubs prospects - Alcantara, Ballesteros, and the young infielder Jefferson Rojas. Notably absent was Jaxon Wiggins, a right-handed pitching prospect whom the Cubs envision as a potential rotation impact player, following in the footsteps of Cade Horton.
And this is the part most people miss... Wiggins, fresh off a dominant 2026 season in the Cubs' system, had even more reason to prove his worth. Despite his impressive performance, Law's 'just missed' top-100 list failed to acknowledge Wiggins twice, leaving him off both rankings.
The former Arkansas Razorback dominated at Double-A Knoxville in 2025, boasting a stellar 1.93 ERA across 10 starts. He also excelled at High-A South Bend, posting a 1.71 ERA in 26 1/3 innings, and even made his mark at Triple-A, striking out an astonishing 13 batters per 9 innings in his brief stint.
Wiggins' overall 2025 campaign was a standout, with a 2.77 ERA in 78 innings pitched - his highest single-season total in both college and professional careers. While Law's decision to exclude Wiggins from his rankings may be attributed to workload management, as seen with Horton's controlled progression, it doesn't diminish Wiggins' potential impact at the big-league level.
As we head into 2026, Wiggins' journey mirrors that of Horton, who, despite limited innings in previous seasons, emerged as a force in the second half of last summer, earning a second-place finish in National League Rookie of the Year voting. While Wiggins may not replicate Horton's exact trajectory, his talent is undeniable, and he now has the opportunity to showcase his skills at the highest minor league levels and, hopefully, at the iconic Wrigley Field.
So, Cubs fans, are you ready to witness the rise of Jaxon Wiggins? And for the rest of the baseball world, is Law's omission of Wiggins a strategic oversight or a bold statement? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
