And then there was one.
The deadline to sign 2023 MLB draft picks is 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, and so far the Chicago Cubs have been able to agree to terms with 19 of their 20 selections. Last week, the team officially announced a few more agreements that brought the number up to 18 and on Sunday one more was made official, as 13th rounder Sam Armstrong broke the news of his signing on social media.
That leaves one player from the 2023 Cubs draft class that remains unsigned now less than a day before the deadline and that’s right-handed pitcher Jaxon Wiggins. The 21-year-old was taken with the 68th overall pick in the second round.
Wiggins, 21, pitched at the University of Arkansas during his college career. There was a chance that the right-handed pitcher could have been a first-round pick this year, but unfortunately Wiggins did have Tommy John surgery in February, forcing him to miss the entire 2023 season.
During his freshman season with Arkansas, Wiggins appeared in 17 games, but only started four of them. The right-hander struck out 28 batters in 23 innings, but also walked 14. In 2022, Wiggins made 15 starts and two additional appearances as a reliever. He once again put up strong strikeout numbers, 82 K in 66 innings, but Wiggins also had the same problem giving up free bases, as he walked 43 batters.
The selection of Wiggins by the Cubs seems similar to the Cade Horton pick in 2022. The Cubs are banking on the stuff and believe the talent will lead to better results despite the health risks of both pitchers. We’ll see if the Cubs can get a deal done with Wiggins before the signing deadline on Tuesday.
2023 Cubs Draft Class
Round 1, 13th Overall: Matt Shaw (SS) – Maryland Signed for $4,848,500
Round 2, 68th Overall: Jaxon Wiggins (RHP) – Arkansas Unsigned (as of 7/24)
Round 3, 81st Overall: Josh Rivera (SS) – Florida Signed for $725,000
Round 4, 113th Overall: Will Sanders (RHP) – South Carolina Signed for $600,000
Round 5, 149th Overall: Michael Carico (C) – Davidson Signed for $400,000
Round 6, 176th Overall: Alfonsin Rosario (OF) – P27 Academy Signed for $325,600
Round 7, 206th Overall: Yahil Melendez (SS) – B You Academy Signed for $400,000
Round 8, 236th Overall: Brett Bateman (OF) – Minnesota Signed for $180,000
Round 9, 266th Overall: Jonathan Long (1B) – Long Beach State Signed for $179,400
Round 10, 296th Overall: Luis Martinez-Gomez (RHP) – Temple College Signed for $100,000
Round 11, 326th Overall: Zyhir Hope (OF) – Colonel Forge High School Signed for $400,000
Round 12, 356th Overall: Carter Trice (2B) – North Carolina State Signed for $150,000
Round 13, 386th Overall: Sam Armstrong (RHP) – Old Dominion Signed ($ unknown as of 7/24)
Round 14, 416th Overall: Grayson Moore (RHP) – Vanderbilt Signed for $150,000
Round 15, 446th Overall: Ty Johnson (RHP) – Ball State Signed for $125,000
Round 16, 476th Overall: Daniel Brown (LHP) – Campbell University Signed for $150,000
Round 17, 506th Overall: Ethan Flanagan (LHP) – UCLA Signed for $150,000
Round 18, 536th Overall: Brian Kalmer (3B) – Gonzaga Signed for $50,000
Round 19, 566th Overall: Nick Dean (RHP) – Maryland Signed for $75,000
Round 20, 596th Overall: Drew Bowser (3B) – Stanford Signed for $150,000












