Chicago Cubs Prospect Jordan Wicks Returns to Mound in Double-A
The Chicago Cubs got a welcome development in the prospect department on Friday, 2021 first-round pick Jordan Wicks took the mound for the first time since being pulled after one inning as a precaution on Aug. 20.
Though his return was a brief one, throwing just three innings on 38 total pitches, the Kansas State product pitched well. Over the 23-year-old's three innings, he would strike out three batters, allowed just one hit, and didn't issue any free passes.
Though he's had a few rough outings in Double-A, this season has still been a big success for the lefty. Across two levels, Wicks has 116 strikeouts over 90.2 innings and has walked just 27 batters this year. Wicks has emerged as a top 5 prospect in the system, and he could be an option in the rotation at some point in 2023 with more positive developmental strides.
Elsewhere on the farm:
Triple-A: Iowa Cubs (58-69) at Columbus Clippers (73-52): W 9-6
- Iowa as a team had 12 base hits, and each of the first four hitters in the Cubs lineup had two apiece.
- Matt Mervis in particular was dominant again, going 2-for-5 with a double and his fifth homer in nine games. The breakout first baseman now has a .977 OPS in 35 Triple-A games.
- Darius Hill also had a nice day. The leadoff hitter went 2-for-5 with a double, raising his batting average to .333.
- Brennen Davis was not retired once, going 2-for-2 with two walks and a hit by pitch.
- Ben Leeper pitched a 1-2-3 ninth with a strikeout for his seventh save of the year. The righty has a 2.45 ERA since July 1.
Double-A: Tennessee Smokies (66-58) at Mississippi Braves (57-66): L 9-7
- Yonathan Perlaza had another two-hit day that included knocking in three runs. The outfielder has driven in 68 runs with the Smokies.
- Nelson Maldonado went 2-for-4 with his fifth Double-A home run. The 26-year-old has a 1.035 OPS in 29 games with Tennessee.
- Though it was a rough day for the Smokies bullpen, Zac Leigh pitched 1.1 scoreless innings. Leigh has a 1.29 ERA since being promoted.
High-A: South Bend Cubs (71-53) at Lansing Lugnuts (50-74): W 2-1
- Kohl Franklin pitched 5.2 innings, allowing just one run on three hits. The righty also struck seven batters out and walked none.
- Jordan Nwogu went 1-for-3 with his 15th double of the season. The former third-round pick has a 155 wRC+ since Aug. 1.
- The South Bend bullpen pitched 3.1 shutout innings, with Sheldon Reed pitching a 1-2-3 ninth with two strikeouts to nail down his fourth save. Reed has not allowed a run since Aug. 5.
Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans (73-50) at Charleston RiverDogs (82-41): W 8-4
- Kevin Alcantara went 1-for-2 with a walk but left the game early after being struck in the face by a line drive. He was replaced by Parker Chavers who went 1-for-2.
- Cubs 2022 seventh-round pick Nick Hull made his first start with Myrtle Beach. The Grand Canyon University product pitched three scoreless innings, allowing three baserunners and also striking out a pair.
- Every player with a plate appearance had at least one hit.
- Just one of the Pelican's 13 hits went for extra bases, a Haydn McGeary 2-RBI double in the fourth inning.
Transactions:
- In addition Jordan Wicks; activation from the development list, Double-A Tennessee placed starting pitcher Ryan Jensen on the 7-day injured list, and moved left-handed starter, DJ Herz, to the development list.
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