Imagine two rising stars in Major League Baseball, already making waves in the minors, poised to dominate the big leagues. But here's the twist: they’ve both suited up for the Iowa Cubs, and 2026 might just be their year to shine again. Meet catcher Moises Ballesteros and pitcher Jaxon Wiggins, two of the Chicago Cubs’ most promising talents, who were recently named to MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects list on January 23. Ballesteros landed at No. 55, while Wiggins secured the No. 58 spot—a testament to their potential to reshape the game.
Ballesteros, a left-handed hitting catcher, has been a standout performer in Des Moines over the past two seasons. In 114 games with Iowa last year, he slashed an impressive .316/.385/.473 with an .858 OPS. And this is the part most people miss: his power at the plate earned him multiple call-ups to the majors last season, and he’s a strong candidate to start 2026 as a designated hitter or backup catcher in the big leagues. His bat is simply too big to ignore.
Wiggins, on the other hand, has been turning heads since the Cubs drafted him 68th overall in 2023. The hard-throwing right-hander faced setbacks last season but still made his Triple-A debut with Iowa, posting a 4.66 ERA in three games. But here's where it gets controversial: despite his 168 strikeouts in 137.2 innings across three minor league levels in 2025, some critics question whether he’s ready for a full-time major league role. Yet, he’s expected to start this season with Iowa, where he’ll continue to refine his craft.
The Iowa Cubs open their season on March 27 against the Columbus Clippers, and all eyes will be on these two prospects. Will Ballesteros and Wiggins live up to the hype? Or will they face unexpected challenges on their path to stardom? Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: In an era where prospects are rushed to the majors, is it better to let players like Wiggins develop at their own pace, or should teams capitalize on their potential immediately? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Tommy Birch, the Register’s award-winning sports enterprise and features reporter, has been covering these stories since 2008. A four-time Iowa Sportswriter of the Year (2018, 2020, 2023, 2025), Tommy brings unparalleled insight to the table. Reach out to him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468 to share your take on these rising stars.
