The Chicago Cubs will have several marquee prospects going to 2026 Spring Training as non-roster invites with the big club. Chief among them are two prospects, Jaxon Wiggins & Jonathon Long, who could potentially make their MLB debut this upcoming season.
The prospects
The big name among the group of Cubs’ non-roster invites is Jaxon Wiggins, arguably the top prospect in the Chicago system. This past season, Wiggins struck out 97 batters over 78 innings, alongside 36 walks. The right-hander pitched at three levels last season, starting out at High-A and finishing in Triple-A.
A swing-and-miss machine in the Minors, Wiggins was able to regularly notch it up to the upper-90s with his fastball. The former Arkansas pitcher’s arsenal also includes a changeup, a cutter, and a curveball.
Aside from the Wiggins, Jonathon Long and Jefferson Rojas headline the list of prospects.
Long had a big year with Triple-A Iowa, as he hit 20 home runs and demonstrated a reserved approach at the plate. The first baseman is part of a crowded depth chart of potential first basemen and designated hitter options for the Cubs.
Rojas, a middle infielder, had a fantastic year in High-A. He slashed .278/.379/.492 (.871 OPS) with South Bend last season before his numbers took a tumble after he was promoted to Double-A. High contact hitter who also regularly took pitches and worked counts in Indiana.
B.J. Murray, Brett Bateman, Grant Kipp, Connor Schultz, Connor Noland, and catchers Casey Optiz and Ariel Armas round out the group of prospects for the Cubs in 2026 Spring Training.
Other notables
Four former MLB pitchers will be among the non-roster invites: Jeff Brigham, Corbin Martin, Collin Snider, and Trent Thornton.
The 32-year-old Thornton had two very successful seasons out of the Mariners’ bullpen in 2023 and 2024. That latter season saw Thornton strike out 77 over 72.1 IP, alongside 19 walks.
Catcher/infielder Christian Bethancourt and Scott Kingery, plus outfielders Dylan Carlson and Chas McCormick, round out the group.
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