Cubs Prospect Update: Post trade deadline rankings, undrafted free agent thrives, Jaxon Wiggins

The smoke has cleared from the trade deadline, and for the farm system, the biggest takeaway is that some familiar names have left the organization. Topped by the departure of Jefferson Rojas, the Cubs' front office suggested that the primary focus was on fortifying the talent with the big-league club.

Between the breakouts from prospects at the lower levels, and the 2026 MLB draft, the Cubs' farm system already had a different look to it. Now that the deadline is in the rearview mirror, MLB Pipeline's ranking of the team's farm system has a different feel to it.

Josiah Hartshorn, Owen Ayers now top the Chicago Cubs' farm system rankings

Gone are the likes of Rojas, Jonathon Long, and Mason McGwire. Sitting at the top of the farm system is Josiah Hartshorn, who had to explain why he was removed from High-A South Bend's game on Sunday. Right behind Hartshorn is Owen Ayers, who has reached Triple-A Iowa and suddenly looks to be a part of the team's conversation at catcher next season.

Ethan Conrad and Kane Kepley, top picks in the 2025 draft, are at No. 3 and No. 4. There's then a trio of pitchers in Jaxon Wiggins, Kaleb Wing, and Brooks Caple. It's rounded out by infielders James Triantos and Juan Tomas.

It's worth mentioning that the 2026 draft class is not included, and Cade Townsend is likely to be near the top of the system once MLB Pipeline makes an update.

The Cubs still lean heavy on the postion-player side, and that should bode well in potential trades during the offseason.

Post trade deadline shuffling fuels Dom Krupinski's impressive debut at Double-A Knoxville

Considering the number of prospects that were moved at the deadline, it created some shuffling across the farm system. For instance, Ed Howard's comeback journey has arrived at Triple-A Iowa. But, that also led ot undrafted free-agent signee Dom Krupinski to make his Double-A debut after just two games in Class-A.

Krupinski didn't waste any time, homering twice in his debut with the Smokies.

Now healthy, Jaxon Wiggins hasn't taken the step forward the Cubs wanted

One underlying benefit from the Cubs' trade deadline haul is that they are now in a position where they don't have to count on Jaxon Wiggins being a potential bonus for the pitching staff in September.

Wiggins' 2026 season has been defined by injury, but he has since returned to Triple-A Iowa and the results haven't been strong. His strikeout rate is down almost 6% from where it was at the end of the 2025 season, and he has an ERA of 7.76 in a tick over 31 innings pitched. He's also working over 20% of the hitters he's faced with the I-Cubs this year.

Things haven't looked good, and coupling in the injury concern, it's fair to wonder if the shine on his prospect profile is starting to dim.

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