Cubs’ unexpected postseason move could fast-track this top prospect

The Chicago Cubs surprised some fans with the promotion of top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins to Triple-A Iowa last week. With his dominance at Double-A Knoxville, Wiggins' prospect profile has been on the rise, but it seems that the Cubs may have an even larger role in mind for their 2021 second-round pick.

Buried at the bottom of his update on all things about the Cubs, Sahadev Sharma floated the idea that Craig Counsell may have an eye on Wiggins being a part of the team's pitching plans at the Major League level before the end of the season.

"For a manager who is constantly thinking about “out-getters” and “the innings puzzle,” Wiggins looms as an intriguing option, either for depth or maybe even October impact."

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Sharma referred to an idea the Cubs considered at the end of the 2023 season, suggesting there was consideration for Cade Horton to get some in the bullpen as the Cubs made their push for the postseason. The Cubs ultimately decided against the move, and it seems they were validated, considering the mechanical issues Horton was working through at the time.

The Cubs have been extremely cautious with Wiggins' usage this season. Through his first start with the I-Cubs, Wiggins has only accumulated 71 and 1/3 innings pitched this season.

With how the Cubs have handled Wiggins' development during the second half of the season, the initial belief was that they were protecting his trade value. As the Cubs were looking for a controllable starting pitcher at the trade deadline, Wiggins was a popular name mentioned in trade talks. With the added reporting from Sharma, it seems that the caution was due to the potential of Wiggins finishing the season at the Major League level.

Promoting Wiggins for the stretch would mark a level of urgency the Cubs usually haven't had when it comes to the handling of their top prospects. The Cubs are notoriously stubborn when it comes to prospect promotions, and with the front office always keeping an eye on the future, Wiggins having any role of importance at the Major League before the end of the season feels out of character.

In a scenario where the Cubs have already secured the top National League Wild Card spot, and they are looking to keep arms fresh, perhaps that is when Wiggins gets a brief look in the Majors, but anything other than that would be expecting too much.

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