Josiah Hartshorn seizes the top spot as breakout catcher Owen Ayers rockets up the rankings, while fresh faces and pitching shifts redefine the future of Chicago’s farm.
MLB Pipeline recently updated the Chicago Cubs top-30 prospects ahead of the 2026 trade deadline.
Although these rankings did not include the 2026 draftees, there was still some massive shakeup within the top-30. The Cubs have a new No. 1 overall prospect, their top pitching prospect continues to fall, and an unexpected catcher continues to climb.
Let’s take a look at the biggest risers and fallers in Chicago’s farm system from MLB Pipeline.
New No. 1 prospect: Josiah Hartshorn
The Cubs have a new top prospect on MLB Pipeline. Outfielder Josiah Hartshorn leapfrogs previous top prospect Jefferson Rojas for the top spot in the organization. Hartshorn checks in at No. 62 overall, while Rojas comes in at No. 65 overall.
It has been an incredible rise for Hartshorn in his first professional season. He’s slashing .275/.397/.503 with 16 home runs, 16 doubles, 71 RBI, and nine stolen bases across 85 games at Single-A and High-A after being selected in the sixth round of the 2025 MLB Draft.
Hartshorn is much deserving of being Chicago's top prospect. He continues to crush the ball in South Bend and has shown the most upside of any Cubs prospect in the minors this season. The 19-year-old has 11 home runs and a .913 OPS in his first 46 games at High-A.
Big Riser: Owen Ayers
Catcher Owen Ayers really struggled in each of his first two years in the minors. He batted just .190 with one home run and five RBI across 18 games at Single-A and then slashed .238/.341/.420 with six home runs and 47 RBI across 65 games at Single-A last year.
But Ayers has finally broken out during the 2026 season. He is currently slashing .313/.425/.612 with 22 home runs, 20 doubles, one triple, 66 RBI, and seven stolen bases in 82 combined games across High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A this year.
The 25-year-old is now the Cubs’ No. 3 overall prospect on MLB Pipeline. Ayers is only ranked behind Hartshorn and Rojas and could be a September call-up if the front office doesn't trade him away at the deadline.
Huge Risers: Ty Southisene and Mason McGwire
Two new Cubs prospects find themselves ranked inside the top-30. Shortstop Ty Southisene and pitcher Mason McGwire have never been ranked by MLB Pipeline, but both rising prospects are making a name for themselves. Southisene is now the Cubs’ No. 13 prospect, while McGwire is the Cubs’ No. 19 prospect.
Southisene was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 MLB Draft. After hitting .245 with eight extra-base hits and 41 stolen bases at rookie ball and Single-A in 2025, the 21-year-old has been more consistent this year. He’s currently batting .302 with 12 extra-base hits and 30 stolen bases across 62 combined games at Single-A and High-A.
As for McGwire, he’s in the midst of a breakout campaign. The 22-year-old right-hander has a 2.89 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 71 strikeouts across 56 innings pitched at Single-A and High-A. He also pitched in the MLB Futures All-Star game earlier this month.
Big Faller: Jaxon Wiggins
Cubs top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins has been one of the most disappointing prospects in the team's farm system this year. He began the season as the No. 58 overall prospect in baseball and Chicago’s No. 2 overall prospect.
Wiggins has now dropped out of the top-100 on MLB Pipeline and is no longer a top-5 prospect in the Cubs’ system. The 24-year-old is now ranked as the team’s No. 6 prospect amid a frustrating year on the mound.
Wiggins missed multiple months while recovering from an elbow injury he suffered earlier in the year. He has since returned from that injury and has posted poor numbers on the mound. The right-hander has allowed 11 earned runs in his last 7 ⅔ innings.
