Cubs Prospect Focus: Jackson Ferris |
As we continue to move down the Cubs top prospect list, we are starting to get into the position where pitching takes over. That begins with No. 8, where Jackson Ferris checks in. The 2022 second-round pick from IMG academy has all the makings of being a legitimate starter in this league, and that all starts with his 6-4 195-pound frame.
Ferris was one of the most coveted prep prospects of his class, hence why the Cubs signed him to a contract worth more than three million dollars. That is more than what first-round pick Cade Horton signed for, which shows you how much the Cubs value his abilities. Like most 2022 draftees, it becomes a matter of if you will see action that summer, as several hurdles need to be climbed before you can take the mound. Those hurdles were not fully climbed in 2022, and thus he never had an opportunity to take the mound in 2022. This season will not only be the first time Ferris toes a professional mound, but he could be the next starter to pass through multiple Minor League levels. Being a top prep pitcher is one thing, but Ferris comes from one of the most respected Baseball programs in the country and put himself on the map in 2021 when he tossed a no-hitter and a perfect game in his first two outings that season. Ferris continued to impress on the showcase circuit and again this spring, though he was a little more inconsistent than expected as a senior. That is not ideal to see when you draft a high schooler, but the overall potential outweighs his struggles that season. When Ferris is on and keeps his mechanics in sync, this guy has three pitches and three plus pitches that he can lean on. That starts with his fastball, which sits in the 92-95 MPH, but can reach 97 MPH with relative ease. Given his release point on the mound, that fastball comes with a ton of carry toward the strike zone, making the pitch look faster than it really is. To go with that heater comes a pair of secondary pitches, with his best offering being the curveball. Not only does that pitch sit in the 75-78 MPH range, but it comes with some of the best spin rates in all of the minor leagues. Because of that, he can throw that pitch as a 12-6 breaker or change the grip to make it more of a hammer pitch. Ferris has also shown he has an advanced feel for a fading mid-80s changeup that should become more reliable as he uses it more against pro hitters. Despite being fresh out of high school, Ferris has a big frame at 6-4 and is already good size at 195 pounds. However, he has plenty of room to add weight and strength to that frame which he should have no trouble doing. If he can add more strength to that frame, it could ultimately make his arsenal more dangerous, which is scary to think about. One of Ferris's biggest flaws, which is something the Cubs will work on with him, is release and mechanics on the mound. A lot is going on in his complicated delivery, and he can get out of whack sometimes. However, he does have the athleticism to make it work while also creating a ton of deception to make things difficult for hitters on both sides of the plate. Like Horton, he eventually could fit in the front half of Chicago's rotation, but that will be for a few years, so the Cubs have a chance to watch him grow and develop until then. There is one storyline to follow regarding Ferris, which has nothing to do with his pitching. Instead, that storyline goes back to fellow pitcher and top-30 prospect Drew Gray, Ferris's teammate at IMG. Gray has said numerous times that Ferris has the best stuff he has ever seen, while Ferris said the same thing about Gray. That could create a friendly competition soon, which is always good. Ferris and Gray made a terrific pairing in high school, and if they can come close to that level on the professional circuit, the Cubs could be set for years. In any instance, this will be a fun storyline to follow, as it will be a nice story to see these two play together again someday.
