Chicago Cubs Rookie Joins Pitching Legend in the History Books in Major League Debut

He walked the tightrope, but it ended up being a great major league debut for Chicago Cubs rookie Jordan Wicks.

The Chicago Cubs bested the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday afternoon by a score of 10-6. The Cubs utilized a five-run fifth inning in the victory and also got a special major league debut from prospect Jordan Wicks.

The lefty with the dynamite changeup went five innings in collecting his first major league win. He surrendered two hits and one earned run while walking one and striking out nine.

He loaded the bases in the first inning but was able to minimize damage and cruised from there, making some baseball history in the process.

Per @OptaSTATS on Twitter:

Jordan Wicks of the @Cubs is the first MLB starting pitcher to allow the first 3 batters of a game to reach base but then not allow another baserunner after that and earn the win since Boston's Luis Tiant did so at Tiger Stadium on September 28, 1974.

Jordan Wicks of the @Cubs is the first MLB starting pitcher to allow the first 3 batters of a game to reach base but then not allow another baserunner after that and earn the win since Boston's Luis Tiant did so at Tiger Stadium on September 28, 1974. pic.twitter.com/5jSMQARYYs

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) August 27, 2023

That hasn't happened in nearly 50 years - and Wicks also did it in his major league debut.

Tiant is a great name to be paired with in baseball history, as he had 229 career wins and was a three-time All-Star.

Wicks is ranked the No. 10 prospect in the Cubs organization. Here's a portion of his MLB.com profile:

Wicks had the best changeup in his Draft class, a plus-plus offering in the low 80s that tumbles at the plate and helps the rest of his repertoire play up because it keeps hitters so off balance. His four-seam fastball is more notable for its riding action than its velocity, usually ranging from 91-93 mph and topping out at 96, and he'll also mix in an occasional sinker..

The Cubs and Pirates will play again on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. ET.

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