Chicago Cubs Promote Top Pitching Prospect
Back in 2023 the Chicago Cubs drafted a 6-foot-6 right-handed pitcher who is now quickly making his way through the farm system.
Jaxon Wiggins has been promoted to Triple-A Iowa in just his second season in the minor leagues. He is posting an unbelievable stat line this season and it isn't hard to believe that his time is now.
The Cubs have to be excited about a young talent on the mound as they are watching one in real time. Cade Horton is setting the bar increasingly high for any pitcher let alone a rookie. And the way Wiggins is performing, it would be hard to believe that fans won't see him make his debut to the majors, even early next season.
The 23-year-old has been fun to watch in Double-A this season to say the least. He started in the A+ league this year, but he didn't stay long as he dominated opponents. Wiggins didn't last too long in Double-A either as he was promoted after only 10 starts.
In those 10 starts Wiggins put in the work. After 42 innings he allowed only nine runs. He is 2-0 in those starts with an ERA of 1.93, and 62% of his pitches this season have been strikes, so it isn't surprising that he has 52 of them already.
Wiggins is only just starting his professional career, but he has been dominating the game for quite some time. Even though he missed his junior season for the University of Arkansas (Tommy John surgery) he was good enough in his first two years to catch the Cubs' eye. They drafted him No. 68 overall in the second round after he struck out 82 batters in only 17 starts his sophomore year.
The Oklahoma native was one of the best in the state when he left to start his journey that has now led him to the Cubs. Wiggins was the No. 7 overall prospect in the state when he graduated and it appears that he was underestimated.
Chicago has some incredible young athletes all over the field right now. From Pete Crow-Armstrong to Matt Shaw to Cade Horton their future looks brighter than ever. They might not be able to keep everyone long-term on their roster, but it should be a priority as the team could be nearly impossible to beat the way these guys are playing
Wiggins might not be to the majors yet, but he will get there.
Former Lions Pro Bowler Lands a New Role on Dan Campbell's Staff
The Detroit Lions open the 2025 season with high expectations, and an early-season matchup against the Green Bay Packers could determine who has a share of the early advantage in the NFC North. While there are plenty of storylines in the game, one of the biggest is Dan Campbell’s new look coaching staff after losing eight assistants since the end of last year.
The departures of coordinators Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson are the ones that have Lions fans the most worried heading into Green Bay. But Campbell also had to plug holes elsewhere on his staff, which has him turning to former Lions Pro Bowler Don Muhlbach.
Former Pro Bowler Don Mulbach Gets Expanded Gameday Role on Lions Staff
Mulbach has been around the Lions for a long time, logging 260 games as the team’s long snapper from 2004 to 2020. A two-time Pro Bowler with selections in 2012 and 2018, Muhlbach became a special assistant to the team president after his retirement and Lions Wire’s Jeff Risdon noted that it was not uncommon to see him on the practice field helping special teams coordinator Dave Fipp.
Those roles were expanded this week when Campbell tabbed Muhlbach to replace Jon Dykema’s role of being Campbell’s in-game management helper. The role was left vacant as Dykema left for the Jacksonville Jaguars this spring and includes helping Campbell’s decision to throw challenge flags after a play.
“He does a ton, and has done a ton, since he was hired here helping on special teams,” Campbell said via Risdon. “He wears a ton of different hats. … It just felt like this was going to be the right fit. He’s got a pretty good grasp, pretty good feel of what I want. And I also know he’s got conviction about him when he sees something or believes something.”
Having a new voice in Campbell’s ear could do him wonders. In his 20 career challenges as a head coach, nine have been overturned according to Pro Football Reference. Although last season was the first in his career where he had more challenges overturned (3) than upheld (2).
Regardless of the results, Campbell wanted someone who was assertive when making the decision on whether to throw the flag. It remains to be seen whether Muhlbach’s assignment will pay off but Campbell seems confident the move will work out.
