2 Cubs prospects who should be a September call-up, 2 who need to be avoided

MLB roster expansion on September 1 is no longer the circus it was back in the day, but the two additional roster spots can be critical for teams making a postseason push. If nothing else, it alllows those teams to expose top prospects to the playoff chase experience, which can prove invaluable down the road.

The Chicago Cubs are definitely in that category. With one of the top position player groups in the league and a pitching staff poised to receive major reinforcements in the coming weeks, it's not that these September call-up candidates are going to play every single day, but that doesn't mean there isn't value in having them in the dugout and around the clubhouse in the dog days of summer.

Here are two names I'd love to see join the team as September call-ups and two I could live without.

2 Cubs prospects to hope for when rosters expand September 1

Jaxon Wiggins

Top Cubs pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins recently made his first relief appearance for Triple-A Iowa, immediately raising eyebrows. Showcasing an upper-90s fastball, the right-hander could add to an already solid bullpen mix that only stands to improve when guys like Daniel Palencia and Edward Cabrera and, hopefully, Justin Steele and Ben Brown return.

Wiggins, 24, has really battled control issues at Iowa this year, walking more than a batter per inning. He's paired it with impressive strikeout numbers (11.7 K/9). The good news? Given both the depth and quality that would surround him in Chicago, the experience would be more about learning from the stretch run than being the guy - which should lower the pressure on the former first-rounder.

Owen Ayers

With Carson Kelly still around and Miguel Amaya also playing well, a promotion of Ayers would also be more about showing him the ropes during a pennant chase and giving him the chance to pick the brain of the Cubs' veteran catchers in the process.

Ayers continues to hit, even after ascending to the highest levels of the minors this year, and with Kelly likely to depart via free agency for a multi-year deal, there's a real possibility Ayers cracks the 2027 Opening Day roster. That being said, he's still relatively inexperienced. What better way to address that than by adding him to the big-league roster for the stretch run?

2 Cubs prospects I'd pass on as September call-ups

BJ Murray

BJ Murray has quietly put up big numbers at Triple-A this season, slashing .294/.404/.499 in 451 plate appearances, making major strides over his time last year with Iowa. He's seen time defensively at first, third and in left, but given how the Cubs' roster is set up, I don't see the fit here for a potential September call-up.

Chicago is set at first with Michael Busch and Alex Bregman has third handled. Behind both, Pedro Ramirez stands ready to step in and get guys off their feet. And, make no mistake, he's doing more than just filling in - he's thriving. The 22-year-old is holding steady with a .300-ish average at the plate and a 124 OPS+. Adding Murray would just complicate a situation that's already set up perfectly.

Kevin Alcantara

For me (and the Cubs, it seems), the shine isn't quite as bright as it once was with Kevin Alcantara. Despite setting the Iowa Cubs franchise on-base streak in recent weeks and putting up solid numbers (.277/.368/.562), he's still punching out in almost 30 percent of his plate appearances. His ability to cut that number will determine his future with the club.

As for the here and now, the addition of Tyrone Taylor (not to mention Ramirez and James Triantos, both utility players), have the depth behind the Cubs' starting outfields on solid footing. Maybe next year is the long-awaited chance for Alcantara to prove himself over a notable sample size at the big-league level. But, for now, there are better ways to use the expanded September rosters.

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