Cubs Rookie Pitcher Shines Again

Pitcher Jordan Wicks made his second start for the Chicago Cubs on his birthday in the first game of a doubleheader with the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.

No, he didn’t set or match any team records, as he did in his first start. But, Wicks did his job and helped the Cubs claim a 6-2 win over the Reds as Wicks (2-0) remained undefeated as a Major League pitcher.

The former Kansas State star threw just five innings for the Cubs on Friday, working around five hits and three walks to give up just one run. After striking out three and throwing 90 pitches, the Cubs went to the bullpen and brought in Daniel Palencia.

The Reds’ only run off Wicks came in the fourth as Noelvi Marte singled home Nick Senzel to tie the contest at 1-1.

After the Marte RBI single with one out, Wicks got the Reds’ Stuart Fairchild to pop out to Cubs first baseman Cody Bellinger and Harrison Bader — who just joined the Reds off waivers from the New York Yankees — to ground out to Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson.

The Cubs promoted Wicks, their No. 10 overall prospect, from Triple-A Iowa before last Friday’s game with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He made his MLB debut and helped stabilize a rotation that has been without Marcus Stroman for more than a month. Plus, the Cubs moved starter Drew Smyly to the bullpen.

In that start, Wicks gave up a leadoff home run but at one point retired 15 straight hitters and pitched five innings in a Cubs victory. At one point he struck out five Pirates in a row and ended up striking out nine for the game.

In that debut, he became the first Cubs pitcher to strike out at least five straight hitters in his MLB debut in the expansion era (since 1961). He also became the first Cubs pitcher to retire at least 15 straight hitters in his MLB debut in the expansion era. His nine strikeouts made him the fourth Cubs starter since 1901 to strike out at least nine hitters in his MLB debut.

Wicks is in his third season in the Cubs’ organization and split his 2023 between Double-A Tennessee and Iowa. Combined he is 7-0 with a 3.55 ERA with 99 strikeouts and 32 walks. Batters are hitting just .223 against him.

With the Iowa Cubs he is 3-0 in seven starts with 30 strikeouts and 13 walks in 33 innings.

Wicks split 2022 between the High Class-A South Bend Cubs and Tennessee, going a combined 4-6 with a 3.80 ERA in 24 starts, throwing 94.2 innings. He struck out 121 and walked 28 and allowed batters to hit .247 against him.

In 2021 he made his pro debut with the Class-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans, throwing four starts without a decision. He had a 5.14 ERA with five strikeouts and three walks in seven innings.

Wicks was the Cubs’ first-round pick in 2021 after a tremendous career with Kansas State.