The Chicago Cubs made their first cuts of spring training this past weekend and while there weren’t any surprises there were a handful of prospects who fans should keep an eye on as the 2026 season progresses. Whether injuries pop up or underperformance, you never know when your team will need additional help throughout the season and even with a stacked roster like the Cubs currently have you always want quality backups just in case.
The initial cuts slashed the roster camp size from 62 players down to 53. The group included five 40-man players: RHP Jack Neely, LHP Riley Martin, and infielders James Triantos, Ben Cowles and Pedro Ramirez. Meanwhile, RHPs Jaxon Wiggins, Grant Kipp, Connor Noland and Connor Schultz were assigned to minor league camp.
Let’s take a look at the three most likely players that can still contribute and help the 2026 Cubs from that first group of players cut in spring training.
Jaxon Wiggins
The 24-year-old pitcher is on the cusp of breaking into being an elite pitching prospect in baseball and it’s hard not thinking about his potential on the Cubs down the stretch this season. Jaxon Wiggins was the team’s second round pick back in 2023, and similar to Cade Horton, the Cubs have slowly developed the talented right-hander.
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Wiggins made his pro debut in the minor leagues in 2024, when he began in rookie ball and then moved up through both levels in A-Ball. Last year, Wiggins only threw 78 total innings between his time moving up from South Bend to the Iowa Cubs, but he was impressive. In 19 appearances, including 18 starts, Wiggins had a 31.0 K%, while limiting opposing hitters to a .160 batting average.
There is no one else in the Cubs’ system that can improve the team’s chances in October more than Wiggins. An elite arm talent, who does still need work around the edges, but he provides a high ceiling and can be a weapon for Craig Counsell in the postseason.
Riley Martin
The left-handed pitcher has been in Triple-A the past couple of years and was added to the 40-man roster this past offseason. Martin, 27, was taken out of college back in the 2021 MLB Draft by the Cubs and this might be his prove-it year in the organization. The lefty has always posted good strikeout numbers, a career 33.3 K% in the minors, and in 2025 Martin had a great season with the Iowa Cubs.
Although the Cubs have a strong veteran duo in the bullpen from the left side with Caleb Thielbar and Hoby Milner, Riley could be one of the first relievers up from Triple-A this year if needed. Martin had a 2.69 ERA in 63.2 innings last season with a 30.7 K%. He was also able to decrease his walk rate that was above 16% in 2023 and 2024, down to 13.4% last year.
James Triantos
He’s coming off a down 2025 season, but Triantos isn’t too far removed from being a top-100 prospect in baseball. He was ranked as high as No. 73, heading into the 2024 season in MLB Pipeline’s rankings and Triantos appeared in that year’s Futures Game. A couple injuries have set him back, but the main reason Triantos can help the 2026 Cubs is his versatility.
Triantos began his minor league career primarily getting playing time in the infield, but during the past two seasons he’s started to play in the outfield a lot more. The 23-year-old has 215 starts at second, 111 at third base, seven at shortstop, six in left field and 44 in center field. In 2025 alone, Triantos started 36 games in the outfield at Triple-A, to go along with his main starting job at second base.
You certainly don’t want to see injuries, but you can’t ignore the possibility that they will pop up throughout the year. Triantos can come up and fill in all over the field if the Cubs need a quick fix on the roster. You’re also hoping for a fully healthy year out of Triantos, who missed a few weeks in 2025, and had knee surgery in 2023.
Fans got a glimpse of how good Triantos can be in 2024, when he slashed .300/.346/.427, with 47 stolen bases and seven home runs, six triples and 23 doubles in 115 games.
