Cubs quietly shut down top pitching prospect amid rising trade chatter

Prospect shutdown adds fuel to looming trade mystery
Vanderbilt v Arkansas
Vanderbilt v Arkansas | Wesley Hitt/GettyImages

Within the last week, the Chicago Cubs were rumored to be pushing two separate trades across the finish line. Between Kansas City Royals' veteran Seth Lugo and Mitch Keller of the Pittsburgh Pirates, it seems clear that the Cubs are trying to make an early addition to their starting rotation. As those trade talks were rumored to be happening, the Cubs may have quietly been preparing one of their top prospects to be moved.

Jaxon Wiggins was scheduled to make a start for Double-A Knoxville over the weekend, but he did not make an appearance. It was the second time in the past week that this happened with Wiggins.

Top pitching prospect mysteriously shut down as deadline looms

There hasn't been an update provided regarding when Wiggins' last two scheduled starts were skipped. Wiggins was the subject of a local report from a Tennessee outlet; however, there was no mention of a current injury. In fact, one of the prevailing takeaways from that story is how Wiggins has been healthy this season. Furthermore, Wiggins was just named to the MLB Futures Game set to be played on July 12.

Given that the 2025 season is Wiggins' first full season of professional baseball, the Cubs may be being cautious with one of their top pitching prospects. Wiggins elected to have Tommy John Surgery before the Cubs drafted him in 2023, and he made 18 starts across the Arizona Complex League and Class-A last season. The Cubs managing his workload is certainly possible; however, it's not something you see this early in the season.

Given the rise in trade chatter involving the Cubs over the last week, it's possible that Wiggins' name is being tossed around as part of these potential deals. It would be a steep price to pay, considering Wiggins is on track to be the Cubs' best pitching prospect by the end of the season. That said, in a season where the Cubs have their eyes on a potential World Series appearance, the front office likely doesn't have any prospect listed as untouchable.

The status of Wiggins certainly is worth monitoring as the deadline approaches. He could be a key prospect moved as the Cubs look to address the needs they have on their Major League roster.

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