Improving Command, Proving Health Are Keys For Cubs’ Jaxon Wiggins
Getting fully healthy and building confidence was a priority for 23-year-old righthander Jaxon Wiggins last year.
The 2023 second-rounder out of Arkansas missed his draft year after having Tommy John surgery and did not make his pro debut until May 2024 in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League. Ultimately, he made 18 starts between three levels, finishing with eight at High-A South Bend.
Wiggins recorded a 4.37 ERA with 71 strikeouts and 36 walks in 59.2 total innings.
“Obviously, we’re worrying about performance and development, but from a mentality standpoint, it’s really important for him to be confident that he is fully healthy and ready to go,” Cubs farm director Jason Kanzler said.
“And I think when you post like he did last year, that just builds his confidence. I would imagine that he is fully ready mentally to accept that he’s back.”
Kanzler described the 6-foot-6 Wiggins as an exceptional athlete, a “truly a top percentile physical freak.” He boasted swing-and-miss stuff in college, though he struggled to fully harness his command, leading to trouble with walks.
But that upside makes him an intriguing arm in the Cubs’ system. Wiggins’ potential was on display during his final two starts of 2024, when he struck out 17, walked five and allowed one earned run in 10 innings.
Getting a better grasp of his command now that the recovery and ramp-up process from his surgery is behind him, Wiggins could have a big season ahead.
“He doesn’t have the best command yet,” Kanzler said. “I think the way that we approach this, and the way that we are going to approach it, is we don’t want to diminish this stuff.
“He does have electric stuff, and his ceiling is extremely high given his physical profile so we’re going to be patient.”
