Cubs Could Promote Catcher Owen Ayers in September
Even with a number of experienced pitchers making their way back from the injured list, the Cubs could look to add a pair of prospects to the active roster once it expands to 28 in September. One of those is righty Jaxon Wiggins, the top-ranked pitcher in their system, who just worked his first relief appearance of the season and second of his professional career.
He’d need a spot on the 40-man roster, however, and concerns about his alarming walk rate could keep him at Triple-A even if the Cubs make a personnel move. The other, and perhaps more likely at this point, is switch-hitting catcher Owen Ayers. At 25, he’s the oldest of the Cubs’ top 10 prospects. He might also be the best, given that he’s a legit backstop who’s shown a tremendous plate approach with more than enough power at the upper levels of the minors this season.
Not bad for a guy who was taken in the 19th round out of Marshall just two years ago. Ayers has ascended to No. 2 in the organization’s rankings, just behind Josiah Hartshorn, and he could very likely find himself as part of a catching tandem with Miguel Amaya next year. That’s assuming the Cubs don’t work something out with Carson Kelly, who has a mutual option after this season.
On the latest episode of North Side Territory, Sahadev Sharma said he’s heard that the Cubs are indeed considering a promotion for Ayers.
“He’d have to be added to the 40-man; he’s not Rule 5-eligible,” Sharma explained. “I don’t think they really care. I think they see him as part of the 2027 team, and the Cubs really believe in — and fans get so mad about this: ‘Why are you calling up a prospect and not playing him?’ They think there’s a ton of value for a young guy who they see, like, ‘Maybe this guy has a future with us. Come up, spend 10 days here.’
“They like the idea of guys coming up and learning from veterans…and then, catchers especially, there’s a value of being in those [game-planning] meetings.”
“They like the idea of guys coming up and learning from veterans.”@SahadevSharma is hearing that the Cubs are considering calling up their top catching prospect, Owen Ayers, in September. pic.twitter.com/1N1chMt4Kc
— North Side Territory (@NSideTerritory) August 11, 2026
As Sharma indicates, this might be more of a reward for Ayers than an audition for next season. I would see that as a no-brainer if teams were still allowed to flood the dugout with 40 players, but the Cubs could find themselves in a tough spot when it comes to the waves of pitchers coming off the IL in the coming weeks. Not that they’d be able to put four guys in one roster spot, but using up prime space on a prospect who won’t play isn’t always ideal.
At the same time, we don’t know what will happen in the next three weeks or so. If it makes sense for Ayers to come up, that’s what will happen. Otherwise, we’ll see him given every opportunity to stake his claim to a spot with the big club come spring summer whenever baseball gets going again in 2027.
