After a full amateur season, it’s never a lock that a just-drafted pitcher will make much of an appearance on the pro circuit that first year. It depends on a lot of factors, but usually, at most, a guy makes a couple rookie league or short-season (when that was a thing) appearances to get some data and visuals for work at instructional ball.
To be sure, I don’t expect Chicago Cubs first rounder Jordan Wicks to throw A LOT of innings the rest of the, it’s nevertheless a major feather in the cap that he’s gonna get a cup of coffee at HIGH-A right out of the gate:
🚨 TOP PROSPECT ALERT 🚨
2021 1st Round Draft Pick LHP @jordan_wicks99 will make his first professional start THIS SUNDAY at Four Winds Field. First pitch at 7:05pm.
Watch his debut in person and get your tickets now!
📸 Daniel Shirey & Colin E. Braley
🎟➡https://t.co/WuoD23eQ1P pic.twitter.com/XGmQ2vIyKl— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) September 4, 2021
Wicks, who just turned 22 a few days ago, was considered one of the most polished college pitchers in this year’s draft, and likely the best college lefty. If you needed confirmation that the Cubs see him as very advanced for a just-drafted pitcher, this South Bend placement is it. I can’t wait to get a look-see at Wicks in advance of 2022, when it’s very possible he could be at Double-A Tennessee by June.
A Deep Dive On New Cubs Lefty Prospect Jordan Wicks: The Stuff, the Video, the Makeup, the Ranking, More – https://t.co/89ljQvLARW pic.twitter.com/INr03dVdTt
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) July 12, 2021
The Cubs Didn’t Expect Jordan Wicks to Still Be on the Board at Pick 21 – https://t.co/mMF7QTZfYx pic.twitter.com/R4zxtkAB9X
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) July 12, 2021