Since 2017, I’ve been surprised by each of the Cubs’ first round picks. It began in 2018 with Nico and continued in 2019 with Ryan Jensen because a deal with a prep pitcher fell through at the last minute. In 2020 I was completely flabbergasted that the Cubs would wound up taking Ed Howard because I thought he would be long gone. And this year, I don’t think anyone foresaw lefty starting pitcher Jordan Wicks being available at number 21.
That last sentence is key, Jordan Wicks was slated to go somewhere around 14, 15, or 16. The fact that he was available at 21 had more to do with other teams taking players that they could sign to underslot deals and save up some money for later in the draft than it did with his ability. But for the Cubs, they took Wicks, the top left hand starting pitcher in the draft and signed him to a full slot deal.
Basic Info
Age – 21
Height – 6-foot-3
Weighed – 220
Throws – Left
School – Kansas State
1st round pick (21) in the 2021 MLB Draft
What I Said on Draft Day
“The Cubs got top 15 talent that throws from the left side whose floor is probably a middle of the rotation starter. How much he improves and develops over the next year to year in a half is going to be interesting.”
A Little History
One of the main positive attributes that you hear about Wicks is that he is a tireless worker. In addition to having a great changeup, he’s pretty much a baseball rat. I am excited to see his pro career get going in 2022 where he will probably start out at South Bend and go from there. Maybe he’s good enough in spring training to get the nod to go to Tennessee. We’ll see.
Wicks’ tenure at Kansas State began in 2019. In 84.2 innings, he struck out 86 batters and had an ERA of 3.61. He only made three starts in 2020 before the pandemic hit with an ERA of 0.35 in 26 innings. That’s like video game type stuff.
Here is what MLB Pipeline had to say on the Wicks:
Wicks works with little effort, easily repeating his delivery and pounding the strike zone while working both sides of the plate. In addition to his stuff and command, he earns praise for his competitiveness and inventiveness on the mound. One scout likened him to Reid Detmers, the No. 10 overall choice in 2020 by the Angels, with a changeup rather than a curveball as his dominant pitch.
But why the Cubs took Wicks was really for his junior season this spring in the Big 12, one of the top baseball conferences in the country. He had a 3.70 ERA in 92.1 innings. He also struck out 118 batters and only walked 28. That kind of control will get you noticed. That 4:1 strikeout to walk ratio is also excellent.
I’m looking forward to seeing what the Cubs actually end up doing with Wicks next spring. They are probably going to get a baseline here in the last few weeks of the season, develop a plan, and then have him start to work on that plan over the winter. They’re probably going to have to reign him in because he is kind of a workaholic. That kind of attitude fits right in with several other of the Cubs top young pitchers like Kohl Franklin.
Let’s take a look at what Wicks has to say why his changeup works and why he relies on it.
Hopefully, I’ll get to see him early next year if he heads to South Bend. MLB usually releases the upcoming schedule just after the end of this season. It will be interesting to see just exactly how the Cubs add to his arsenal and just how long he will stay in South Bend. Players with an excellent changeup tend to do well. If he has two excellent offspeed pitches, then those guys dominate. If Wicks is the latter, he could be in Tennessee very quickly.
Cubs Central 
Todd, won’t lie. I was less than excited on draft night when Wicks was selected, but am becoming more interested and hopeful about him. Think he will start in South Bend next year, but will not be shocked if the Cubs try to move him quickly. If he has success. Lets hope for that.
Good read again. Thanks!
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I was surprised the Cubs took Howard because the White Sox didn’t even though he grew up as a White Sox fan on the southside of Chicago a natural for the pale hose.Made me think that the Sox Knew something the Cubs didn’t. The Cubs have an exactly hit the jackpot over the past five drafts
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Tom, think your being tough on Ed. He is almost always going against older pitchers and after missing an entire year in 2020. He was thought to be a top 15 selection in the draft. Also, the White Sox like to draft hard throwing pitchers and thats what they got at 11, in 2020. You may turn out to 0be 100% correct, but lets give the young man some time. If there was still an Eugene level, that is where he should be playing. My tboughts.
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[…] week, I did a profile one one player from each category – Walker Powell, Alexander Canario, and Jordan Wicks. At some point next week, I’ll have profiles on Tyler Santana, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and James […]
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