At long last, the Chicago Cubs 10th ranked prospect made his anticipated debut, and despite his rocky first inning, he didn't disappoint.
After giving up a leadoff home run to Ke’Bryan Hayes to start the game, Jordan Wicks let the next two men get on base with a single and walk back to back. After the walk, Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy came in for a mound visit to settle him down. Following the mound visit, Wicks twirled 4 innings of shutout ball against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
That may have been the greatest mound visit in Chicago Cubs history.
Following the visit, Wicks put on a clinic and showed why the Cubs selected him 21st overall in the 2021 draft. His changeup was devastating batters left and right, showing off why it might just be one of the best changeups in the bigs.
Jordan Wicks, Changeup Clinic. 👌 pic.twitter.com/ldSjLvW0r5
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 26, 2023
Thanks to his wicked changeup, he became the fourth Cubs pitcher since 1901 to strike out at least 9 in his MLB debut and retired 15 straight batters, the most by any Cub in their debut since 1974.
.@jordan_wicks99 is the fourth Cubs pitcher since 1901 to strikeout at least nine in an @MLB debut.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 27, 2023
He joins the company of Thomas Diamond, Dutch Ruether and Mark Prior. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nW6HorO2Fo
.@jordan_wicks99 answered the call and retired 15 consecutive batters, the most by a Cub in their MLB debut since 1974.#NextStartsHere pic.twitter.com/yxqxFJZJa2
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 27, 2023
Wicks was pulled following the 5th inning after twirling 80 pitches while tallying 9 strikeouts, giving up 2 hits, one run, and walking one batter. If you asked me I believe he definitely could have gone another inning. He was that good.
Needless to say, Cubs fans will keep hopes high for the dominant and crafty lefty. Many are expecting more solid outings from him with the absence of Marcus Stroman and the recent struggles of Jameson Taillon and Drew Smyly. I believe he can live up to those hopes and keep Chicago in a playoff spot.
