Redemption Time for Former Cubs First Round Pick

The Chicago Cubs are reportedly calling up Jordan Wicks on Friday. The former first round pick made his MLB debut in the summer of 2023, giving the team some good starts down the stretch when the Cubs were still in playoff contention. Yet, after a tough 2024 season that was marred with injuries, Wicks is looking for redemption now in his third shot in the majors.

Wicks began in the starting rotation for the Cubs in 2024, but the left-hander ended the year with a total of 34.2 innings pitched. His starts weren’t necessarily the smoothest as Wicks would struggle to put hitters away and his pitch count would quickly rise, leading to four straight outings in which he couldn’t complete five innings.

Yet, Wicks had his best start against the Houston Astros on April 23. No walks and four strikeouts in six innings of work as Wicks earned his first victory of the season, but then he went on the injured list because of a forearm strain. Wicks didn’t return until June and when he did the Kansas State product only made two more appearances before an oblique strain sidelined him for another two months.

Wicks came back from his second injury in September, but he didn’t look the same. He made four starts and posted a 7.50 ERA in 18 innings. After his start on Sept. 17, Wicks was back on the injured list with the same oblique injury.

In the offseason the Cubs signed free agents Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea to the pitching staff, giving the rotation a third lefty behind Justin Steele and Shōta Imanaga. Meanwhile, Rea joined Javier Assad, Ben Brown and Wicks as competition for the fifth starter job. The Cubs were eventually intrigued by Brown’s high ceiling and he earned the No. 5 spot, while Rea began the year in the bullpen as Assad had a setback in spring training and was placed on the injured list in March.

That left Wicks on the outside looking in. A year after making the Opening Day roster and starting the fourth game of the season, Wicks was back at Triple-A to start 2025.

Who knows, maybe Wicks is only up for a short stint this time around, but he’ll definitely pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks this weekend at Wrigley Field. A good appearance from Wicks against the toughest offensive teams in MLB would go a long way to restoring confidence in himself and the Cubs in Wicks.

In 2023, Wicks made 7 starts as a rookie. His overall numbers don’t look special as he ended the year with a 4.41 ERA after giving up seven runs in his last start. But people might forget, Wicks was really good. In his first six starts the left-handed pitcher had a 3.00 ERA in 33 innings. That included three quality starts and two more starts where Wicks tossed five innings and only gave up one earned run.

So, it’s time to prove it again. Jordan Wicks will have another opportunity with the Cubs and hopefully he takes advantage of it.