Round 1 Pick 21 : Jordan Wicks LHP Kansas State University
There were many surprises on Day 1 of the 2021 MLB Draft, most notably Frank Mozzicato going 8th overall to the Kansas City Royals, a guy most people projected to be a late 1st round early 2nd round pick. Cubs fans, however, were pleasantly surprised to see Jordan Wicks fall to the Chicago Cubs at 21 overall. Wicks, a left-handed hurler from Kansas State University, projected on most draft boards to go 15th to the Brewers. MLB.com ranked Jordan Wicks as the 16th overall prospect in this draft and the #1 LHP, so the Cubs Front Office and Cubs fans were delighted when Wicks was available at 21, and the Cubs didn't hesitate.
Wicks is a solid 6'3" 220 lb lefty with stuff that is nearly MLB ready now, especially his changeup, which is the best in the draft, coming in at around 80 mph with solid movement. Wicks has a fastball that hovers around 93 but will hit 95 that tails to compliment that great changeup. What scouts love maybe even more than the plus changeup is his repeatability in his delivery. Wicks has plus control, and if he can develop a sharp curveball to complement the changeup and mid-90's fastball, the Cubs could have a strong top of the rotation guy for years. The Cubs wanted the best available, and with Jordan Wicks, they got it.
MLB scores each prospect and their tools on a 20-80 grade scale. Wicks is an overall 55 grade with a 55 fastball and slider, 45 curveball, 55 control, and a draft best 65 changeup. If he can develop the fastball and curveball in the pitch lab, he's going to be a dangerous weapon for the Cubs for a long time.
Plus, Cubs fans are going to LOVE this:
Jordan, a sophomore at Kansas State University, graduated from Conway High School in Conway, Arkansas. Wicks lead the Wampus Cats (what the heck is a wampus cat?) to three 2nd place finishes in the Arkansas state tournament while holding the records for wins and ERA. Wicks was also an All-Conference kicker at Conway his senior year.
You can follow Jordan on Twitter at @jordan_wicks99 and on Instagram at @jordan_wicks33. Welcome to the Cubs, Jordan!
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