Cubs 2021 First Round Pick a Step Closer to Majors

As we head toward the mid-way point of the regular season, we are going to be seeing more promotions across the minor leagues and for 2021 Chicago Cubs first round pick Jordan Wicks, he's now a step closer to the majors.

There were a handful of promotions on Tuesday within the Cubs minor league system with Wicks as the headliner. The left-handed starting pitcher began the 2023 season at Double-A with the Tennessee Smokies and now he'll be getting ready to make his first start with the Iowa Cubs at Triple-A later this week.

The 23-year-old was taken with the 21st overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft out of Kansas State. The pick raised some eyebrows as some critics believed the left-handed starting pitcher's ceiling was too low.

Wicks has been hard at work with Cubs coaches since he was drafted and after a bit of a slow start in his minor league career the left-hander has certainly made massive strides in his development during the past two years.

So far in 2023, Wicks has made 13 starts with the Smokies. He's posted a 3.39 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 58.1 innings.

Jordan Wicks 2023 Season (Through June 28)
13 Starts, 58.1 IP, 3.39 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 69 K, 19 BB
29 K%, 8 BB%, 10.65 K/9, 2.93 BB/9, 4.15 FIP, 3.78 xFIP

So, a few things to note about this season at Double-A. The league has been experimenting with a new, pre-tacked baseball that is supposed to have a better grip for pitchers. Now, to be fair, strikeout rates have been through the roof in the Southern League this season, so it does appear as though pitchers are taking advantage of whatever is on these balls.

However, for Wicks, the experimental ball in the Southern League has caused some problems for his best pitch. Wicks was praised for his great change up coming out of college, but he hasn't quite been able to utilize it as effectively as he would like so far in 2023.

The Iowa Cubs are playing against the Omaha Storm Chasers this week and Wicks may get his first start in Triple-A on Friday.

You should definitely make it a point to follow Wicks' progress at Triple-A the rest of this season because if you look ahead to the Cubs' starting rotation in 2024, there are going to be a few spots up for grabs. Marcus Stroman, Drew Smyly and Kyle Hendricks could all be gone after the offseason and although you'd expect the team to pursue at least one starting pitcher in free agency, the back-end of the rotation could be taken by one of the younger pitchers in the Cubs system.

We could see Wicks, along with Ben Brown and Hayden Wesneski competing for the fifth starter spot next spring training.

Along with Wicks, right-handed hitting infielder Luis Vazquez was promoted to Triple-A this week and he made his debut with the Iowa Cubs at shortstop on Wednesday. Vazquez posted an .823 OPS in 58 games at Double-A this season.