Video: 5 Cubs Prospects Ready To Explode In 2026

[Cory Sparks]

Here are five Cubs prospects who are destined to break into the major leagues, with or without the team, in the coming year. Cory Sparks dives into the strengths, weaknesses, and fit of Jaxon Wiggins, Ethan Conrad, Jonathon Long, Grant Kipp, and James Triantos.

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[Outshined_One]

Wiggins and Conrad are solid bets to finish 2026 as the top two prospects in the system, assuming health.  As was discussed when he was drafted, Conrad was a potential Top 5 pick whose season was derailed due to injury, and the early reports are that he's on track to be ready for spring training.  Wiggins is solidly on the Horton track, and could find himself in the majors by summer if he progresses as hoped.

Long and Triantos fall into a similar category as Kevin Alcantara for me as guys who would benefit from being traded due to being blocked.  Triantos has the sort of profile that should work in the majors, but he hit a wall in AAA and hasn't looked like the same guy who was a menace at A+/AA.  Long came on unexpectedly this year and should fit nicely onto a team looking for a bat first 1B/OF.

With Kipp, I feel like there's a group of mediocre lower level pitching prospects every year that become the focus of wishcasting over reality (I am guilty of this), and Kipp seems to fit firmly in that mold, along with guys like Nick Dean, Will Sanders, and Connor Noland.  Maybe they'll pan out as back end of the rotation types or journeymen middle relievers in the majors, but it's not a safe bet.

As with everything, you never know, but the pitching depth on the farm is atrocious at the moment.

[Cory Sparks]

Totally agree! Wiggins has great upside, Conrad needs to stay healthy, and there's a conversation with a lot of guys about trading vs. waiting for contracts to run out with the big league guys. Thanks for the comment!