Cubs Fans Name Jaxon Wiggins the Untouchable Prospect in Trade Deadline Survey

Survey says: Wiggins is the untouchable one

The Chicago Cubs are approaching the trade deadline with a mix of major-league needs and a farm system that other teams covet. Earlier this week, SB Nation Reacts asked Cubs fans which of six prospects they considered the most untouchable in a trade. The winner was clear: right-handed pitcher Jaxon Wiggins.

Wiggins, a 2023 second-round pick out of Arkansas, has long been viewed as a potential frontline starter. Despite a rocky 2025 season marred by injury, a majority of responding fans see him as the one prospect the front office should not move, even for an immediate impact player.

Wiggins’ injury-riddled season

The vote of confidence comes despite a difficult year for Wiggins. He made two early-season starts at Triple-A Iowa before missing significant time with an injury. After rehab appearances in the Arizona Complex League and at High-A South Bend, he returned to Iowa earlier this month. The results have been rough: three starts, a 12.91 ERA, a 2.739 WHIP, and most concerning, 11 walks in 44 batters faced — a 25 percent walk rate.

Those numbers suggest Wiggins still needs time to regain his command and rhythm. The Cubs have not indicated when he might be ready for a major-league debut, and 2026 appears unlikely. The fan survey, however, suggests that believers are willing to wait. The organization’s lack of homegrown power arms likely makes Wiggins’ ceiling feel more valuable than a short-term rental.

Other prospects on the bubble

The survey also asked about five other Cubs prospects. Second baseman James Triantos, recently called up to the majors on Friday, was not considered a trade candidate now that he is on the active roster. Infielder Jefferson Rojas, who is blocked at multiple positions at the big-league level, was seen as a potential trade piece. Outfielder Kane Kepley has hit well but remains at High-A South Bend, limiting his immediate trade value. First baseman Jonathon Long is having a productive year at Triple-A Iowa but is blocked by veteran options. And right-hander Owen Ayers, whom the Cubs drafted last year, was mentioned as a possible chip in a deal for Angels left-hander Reid Detmers.

The fan sentiment aligns with typical prospect valuation: ceiling arms like Wiggins are harder to acquire than position players who may be blocked. The Cubs’ depth at the lower levels gives them flexibility to move other names without sacrificing the one pitcher fans most want to see in a Chicago uniform.

Key facts

National questions: Verlander and 300 wins

The SB Nation Reacts survey also included national questions. When asked about Justin Verlander’s Hall of Fame candidacy, 85 percent of respondents said he is a first-ballot inductee. Only 15 percent disagreed. Verlander, a three-time Cy Young Award winner with 82.2 career bWAR, ranks 24th all-time among pitchers. The dissenting votes likely reflect the small minority who still weigh wins heavily, but the consensus is clear.

On the topic of 300-game winners, 21 percent of fans believe another pitcher will reach that milestone. With Verlander and Max Scherzer expected to retire after this season, the active wins leader will be Gerrit Cole or Chris Sale, both tied at 156. Cole is 35, Sale is 37, and neither is on pace for 300. The current leader among pitchers under 30 is Logan Webb with 75 wins. The survey results underscore that 300 wins is becoming a relic of a different era, with 200 wins now considered the new benchmark for elite longevity.

What this means for the Cubs at the deadline

The trade deadline is less than a week away, and the Cubs are in a position to both buy and sell depending on how the next few games go. The front office, led by Jed Hoyer, has been cautious about trading top prospects, and the fan survey reinforces that patience. Wiggins, despite his injury issues, represents the kind of high-upside arm that the Cubs have struggled to develop in recent years. Moving him would require a significant return — likely a young, controllable impact player.

The survey also highlights that the Cubs have other tradeable assets. Rojas, Kepley, and Long could appeal to teams looking for near-ready position players. Owen Ayers, a 2025 draftee, might be a smaller piece in a larger package. But the message from the fans is clear: do not trade Wiggins.

Source: Yahoo Sports, “SB Nation Reacts: Jaxon Wiggins is the Cubs’ untouchable prospect” (https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/sb-nation-reacts-jaxon-wiggins-183000462.html)