Cubs Prospect Update: Ethan Conrad's first home run, Jaxon Wiggins one step closer, Owen Ayers

Ethan Conrad is finally healthy, and validating the belief the Chicago Cubs had him when they selected him with the first-overall selection in the 2025 MLB Draft.

Conrad spent last summer recovering from shoulder surgery, and his start to the 2026 season was slowed by a back injury. He posted 1.147 OPS in five games in Arizona Complex League earlier this month, and that earned him a promotion to Class-A Myrtle Beach.

He has one hit in his first 15 plate appearances with Myrtle Beach, but that hit was first career home run in affiliate ball.

Conrad easily fit the profile of the type of hitter the Cubs love among the college ranks. Between the bat-to-ball skills, and profile that should develop into natural power, the impression was that he could be fast riser. Now that he's healthy, that seems to be the early indication.

By the end of the 2027 season, it would seem there's a real chance that Conrad could be knocking on the door of being ready. That could play a factor in how the Cubs choose to replace Seiya Suzuki or Ian Happ after this season. That said, Suzuki is probably someone the Cubs should prioritize bringing back.

Jaxon Wiggins remains on track to be a September option for Cubs bullpen

Jaxon Wiggins made his return to the Iowa Cubs over the weekend, and as was the case in April, it was a reminder that even when he's healthy, there are still some things to work on. Wiggins gave up three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out four of the 14 batters he faced.

Wiggins isn't going to be an option for the Cubs' pitching staff exiting the All-Star break. The best-case scenario would seem to be Wiggins becoming an option for the bullpen in September. Wiggins very much has the ceiling of a top-of-the-rotation pitcher, but for his current path, an arrival in the bullpen feels most likely.

Owen Ayers continues to look like a clear long-term answer at catcher

At the lower levels of the Cubs' system, the organization has had several position player prospects emerge. Josiah Hartshorn certainly is who gets the most attention, but Double-A catcher Owen Ayers has been just has dominant. Over the weekend, Bleacher Report's Michael Cerami pointed out just how insane Ayers has been this season.

It also seems that Ayers is getting the bump up to Triple-A Iowa, as reported by Cerami. From there, Ayers will clearly be a part of the catching conversation for the Cubs moving forward. Carson Kelly is a free agent after the season. There could be a scenario where Ayers is in play for the Opening Day roster next year.

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