Cubs select left-handed pitcher Jordan Wicks in first round of 2021 MLB Draft |
CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs tonight selected left-handed pitcher Jordan Wicks out of Kansas State University with the 21st overall pick in the 2021 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Wicks was recommended by area scout Ty Nichols. Wicks, 21, went 6-3 with a 3.70 ERA (38 ER/92.1 IP) and 118 strikeouts compared to 28 walks in 15 starts this season for the Wildcats. The lefthander’s 118 strikeouts, good for 11.5 strikeouts per 9.0 innings, led the Big 12 and set a Kansas State single-season record. Wicks was named National Player of the Week after tossing 7.0 scoreless innings, February 19 vs. Oregon State. Following the season, Wicks was named to Collegiate Baseball’s All-America Third Team, becoming the first Kansas State All-American since 2013. The lefthander also earned All-Central Region Second Team and All-Big 12 First Team honors. Wicks started 34 games in three seasons for Kansas State, going 15-6 with a 3.24 ERA (73 ER/203.0 IP), one complete game shutout and a school-record 230 strikeouts. The lefthander becomes the highest player drafted in Kansas State history. The six-foot, three-inch, 220-pound Wicks graduated from Conway High School in Conway, Ark., pitching four seasons for the Wampus Cats, including three runner-up finishes in the Arkansas State Tournament. Wicks owns Conway High School career records in wins (30), ERA (1.54) and strikeout-to-walk-ratio (5.6). The lefthander was named All-Conference four times, All-State twice and All-State honorable mention twice. The 2021 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft continues tomorrow with rounds two-through-10. The #Cubs tonight selected LHP @jordan_wicks99 of @KStateBSB with the 21st overall pick in the 2021 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. pic.twitter.com/GfjV3JjHKJ Round 1 ?? Pick 21
Welcome to Chicago, @jordan_wicks99!https://t.co/zdHk7MQkBz pic.twitter.com/QmpLu6ed1j
