Three Cubs Prospects to Watch in 2026

Cubs No. 5 Prospect – OF Ethan Conrad

Drafted in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft, Ethan Conrad did enough for the Cubs to roll the dice. Conrad slashed .372/.495/.744 at Wake Forest in just 71 at-bats before a shoulder injury ended his season prematurely. Those numbers, however, were more of the same from a hitter who has established himself as elite everywhere he’s played.

In 2024 at Marist, Conrad posted a .389/.467/.704 line with nine homers and 52 RBIs. He followed that up by putting his elite contact skills on full display in the wooden-bat Cape Cod League, where he recorded a .385/.433/.486 slash line across 109 at-bats.

Conrad did not play in the minors in 2025 due to the surgery but was working out at the Cubs’ spring complex in Arizona toward the end of the year. If he’s ready to go without any setbacks, he’ll be a key prospect to watch in the Cubs’ organization. After the Cubs traded Owen Caissie, their outfield prospect depth thinned, and Conrad represents a strong opportunity for the organization to continue producing high-end talent.

Cubs No. 2 Prospect, MLB No. 67 – RHP Jaxon Wiggins

Standing 6’6”, right-hander Jaxon Wiggins put on a masterclass in 2025. Drafted in the supplemental second round in 2023, Wiggins posted a 2.19 ERA across three minor league levels last season. After making the jump to Triple-A in early September, he struggled in his three starts, primarily due to an elevated walk rate.

Wiggins has otherworldly stuff, but harnessing his control will be what takes him from good to elite. You can get away with overpowering hitters at the lower levels, but refining command becomes critical at this stage. Fortunately, the Cubs’ pitching infrastructure is among the best in baseball. Wiggins possesses the kind of arsenal that profiles well at the highest level.

In 2025, former Cubs top prospect Cade Horton added an extra pitch, a changeup, during his rookie season. It proved effective by keeping hitters off balance, thanks to the relatively low usage of each of his pitches. Up to this point, Wiggins has primarily relied on a three-pitch mix consisting of a fastball, slider, and changeup. It will be interesting to see if he can add a fourth pitch to his repertoire for similar reasons.

The hope is that the Cubs can eventually feature a dynamic one-two punch with Wiggins and Horton. A 4.15 BB/9 won’t play in the majors, but once that number comes down, true ace potential emerges. All eyes will be on his command this season. If things go smoothly, a 2026 call-up feels like a no-brainer.