Cubs Prospect Watch: Owen Ayers Dominates, Jaxon Wiggins Shines and Florentino is Figuring it out
By Reed Kubiak ·
Jostin Florentino is Back?
A year ago, Jostin Florentino (A+, RHP, Rank: 19) was among the most promising pitching prospects, boasting a 1.96 ERA over 10 starts in Single A. This year began differently. In his first six starts with High A South Bend, he struggled with a 6.88 ERA, a 16% strikeout rate, and a 15% walk rate. However, his recent performances tell a different story. Over his last three starts, he's recorded a 2.45 ERA with a 37.8% strikeout rate and a 15.6% walk rate. These improvements are significant and overcoming these struggles will be crucial for his development.
What changes has Florentino made? He has shifted his focus to dominating over four innings rather than merely getting through six, resulting in a noticeable change in his pitch usage. Previously, his fastball was his primary pitch, used extensively early in counts, which led to overexposure. Now, it's a complementary pitch to his outstanding slider, used strategically to set up the slider by working up and in early in counts and targeting the edges rather than the middle.
His slider, once a secondary option used mainly in two-strike counts, has become his leading weapon. He now employs it earlier in counts to steal strikes, aggressively attacking the zone early before using it as a chase pitch later. Additionally, Florentino has started incorporating a changeup against left-handed batters early in counts. This addition could become a vital part of his arsenal, especially considering lefties currently have a .900 OPS against him, compared to .475 for righties.
Florentino is beginning to find his form at the High A level, and this new approach is proving effective. If he can maintain this strategy and further develop his changeup, he has a promising future within the Cubs organization.
Owen Ayers Smashes His Way Through June
Owen Ayers (AA, C, Rank: 12) is putting up numbers that demand attention. Over five games this week, Ayers achieved a remarkable .563 average, with a .696 OBP and an .875 SLG, culminating in a 1.571 OPS. He had nine hits, two doubles, and a home run, highlighted by a standout 4-for-4 performance with three runs scored against Birmingham, marking his second four-hit effort of the month.
While these hitting stats are impressive, Ayers has been consistent all year. The true measure of his improvement is evident in his plate discipline this week. He drew seven walks, resulting in a 30% walk rate, compared to his 16.5% rate over 54 Double A games this season. Even more striking, he struck out only three times, yielding a 2.33 BB/K ratio, a significant improvement over his season ratio of 0.66.
This surge affirms Ayers' refined approach and emerging offensive prowess. His June performance translates to a .455/.551/.830 line, further solidifying his reputation as an integral part of the Cubs' prospect core. As mentioned, it’s not just the bat; his approach and vision have also seen massive improvements. As his contact continues to flourish, the narrative shifts toward when, not if, Ayers will ascend to the next level.
Jaxon Wiggins Firmly on the Rise
Jaxon Wiggins (A+, RHP, Rank: 1) demonstrated exceptional control and composure for South Bend. Over 3.2 innings, he allowed only two hits, issued no walks, and struck out four, maintaining a scoreless performance. Previously, control was a primary concern for him, but this recent outing suggests progress in that area.
The righthander had his fastball up to 99 mph. He looked athletic in his delivery and showed good depth and spin to his curve. He also appears more confident in his execution. In his previous outing, he allowed two walks and a home run; this time, he gave up just two singles with no extra-base hits or walks. This indicates he is trusting his pitches, getting ahead in counts, and locating effectively. He also threw 10 more pitches and completed an additional inning while maintaining a better line than his last start.
Wiggins was on the cusp of a big league promotion before elbow soreness landed him on the injured list. As he works his way back up toward Triple-A, the Cubs will have their eye on how he might help them in their playoff push. His potential role in the Cubs' future rotation is promising, though the Cubs might consider bringing him up in a relief role to limit his workload this season. Either way, the Cubs should be optimistic about his future after this last appearance.
MLB Draft
Mason Edwards, a 6'2", 190 lb left-handed pitcher from USC, posted an impressive 2.07 ERA with 169 strikeouts over 95 innings in 2026, translating to a 42.7% strikeout rate and an 11.9% walk rate. His fastball is effective high in the zone, complementing his breaking balls, and his ability to tunnel pitches is something clubs will value. Edwards' primary put-away pitch is a versatile breaking ball that can resemble both a curve and a slider, achieving whiff rates over 50%. His changeup, while already a solid offering, has room for growth and could be particularly effective against right-handed batters.
Notably, Edwards was not a highly ranked recruit out of high school, reflecting his strong work ethic and passion for the game. A potential concern is whether his fastball can serve as his primary pitch or if he will need to rely more on his breaking ball. Additionally, his success is closely tied to his ability to generate strikeouts; without them, he risks being limited to a reliever role. There's some uncertainty about whether he can sustain the success of his breakout 2026 season, given his limited innings in 2025 and the significant workload he managed in 2026.
As a Cubs fan, I support this pick, trusting the development team to refine his skills. While there is a lot of work ahead compared to other college pitchers in this year's draft, Edwards has a high ceiling. Although his floor remains uncertain, his progress will be exciting to watch.
Quick Hits
James Triantos (AAA, 2B, Rank: 11) enjoyed a standout week, batting .455 with 10 hits, including three doubles and a home run. Traditionally not known for his power, this season marks a departure as his slugging percentage increased by .073 from last year. While he remains a reliable contact hitter in the upper minors, this newfound power could be crucial for a potential call-up.
Nick Dean (AA, RHP, Rank: 24) displayed excellent command, striking out five over five innings. He allowed just one earned run and issued only one walk. Although it was only his third start of the year and his first since April, he may have earned another opportunity to start. His changeup remains a crucial asset, contributing to a weekly ERA of 1.8, which has lowered his season ERA to 4.35.
Kane Kepley (A+, OF, Rank: 8) continues to excel with extra-base hits, amassing 14 total bases in six games this week for a robust .737 slugging percentage. His speed and defense solidify his role in South Bend, and his bat remains potent with 12 extra-base hits in June.
Pierce Coppola (A, LHP, Rank: 45) struck out six over four innings, allowing just two hits, two walks, and one earned run. His ERA now stands at 3.50 for the season. Coppola has been consistent in his first full professional season, showing promise with his tall frame and deceptive fastball, which induces weak contact. Despite some control challenges, he has a bright future.
Ethan Conrad (RK, OF, Rank: 2) made his long-awaited debut for the ACL Cubs, going 2-for-3 with two singles and a strikeout. He also stole a base, a promising indication of his health during rehab. His full return seems imminent, and it will be exciting to see how quickly he progresses through the Cubs organization.