JORDAN WICKS
School: Kansas State
Position: LHP
Height/Weight: 6’3″ 220
B/T: L/L
D.O.B: 9/1/1999
Previously Drafted: No
Scouting Report
Despite a dominating and record-setting career at Conway High School in Conway, Arkansas, Jordan Wicks wasn’t able to draw much attention from professional scouts.
That worked out well for Kansas State and now Wicks is on the verge of making history for the Wildcats.
Wicks is widely considered to be the top left-handed pitcher in the 2021 MLB Draft class and looks certain to come off the board in the first round.
Kansas State has never had a first-round pick or a pitcher taken in the first three rounds.
The southpaw was 6-3 with a 3.70 ERA, striking out 118 and walking 28 in 92 1/3 innings this season for the Wildcats. Wicks was named an All-America Third Team selection by Collegiate Baseball June 3 and an All-Big 12 selection. His 230 career strikeouts is the most in program history.
A major reason for the distinction of being a likely first rounder is his change-up, which is already a key component to his repertoire, and is used as a wipeout pitch. His change-up, which features a dip, may be the best in the class.
He also has an above average fastball which sits in the 91-94 MPH range and peaks at 95. His curveball and slider are still works in progress but are part of his arsenal.
He owns the career record for wins (30), ERA (1.54) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.6) at Conway and led the Wampus Cats to three state runner-up finishes.
Wicks wasted no time flourishing at Kansas State. He was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year and a Second Team All-Big 12 pick in 2019 when he compiled a 6-3 record and 3.61 ERA, striking out 86 and walking 26 in 84 2/3 innings. He broke program freshman record for innings pitched and strikeouts, which had stood since 1973. Here earned a spot on the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team.
He then compiled a minuscule 0.35 ERA with 26 strikeouts and four walks in 26 innings in a pandemic-shortened season last spring. He added strength to his frame during the downtime, which helped him shine in the Perfect Timing College League and Northwoods League last summer, allowing just two earned runs and striking out 52 batters in 34 2/3 innings between the two stints.
Scouting Grades
*Scouting grades are according to MLB Pipeline’s rankings, grades may vary between different publications*
Fastball: 55
Slider: 55
Changeup: 65
Curveball: 45
Control: 55
Overall: 55
Prospect Overview and Future Outcomes
The lefty is viewed by scouts as a prospect with the ability to quickly rise through the system and is one of the most polished hurlers available.
While his fastball won’t overwhelm anyone with velocity, his command of the strike zone is certainly a strength and appealing to teams.
The bespectacled hurler is viewed as a high floor candidate with the ability to be at least a middle of the rotation starter.
According to MLB.com, Wicks works with little effort, easily repeating his delivery and pounding the strike zone while working both sides of the plate. In addition to his stuff and command, he earns praise for his competitiveness and inventiveness on the mound.
Mock Draft Outcomes
Wicks is projected to go as high as No. 13 to Philadelphia Phillies by MLB.com, while the Athletic’s Keith Law has him slated at No. 15 to the Milwaukee Brewers and Bleacher Report has the St. Louis Cardinals nabbing him at 18.
James Fox of FutureSox has him going 19th to the Toronto Blue Jays, three picks before the White Sox.
Potential Fit with White Sox
The White Sox have drafted three left-handed pitchers in the first round since 2010 and all three – Chris Sale (2010), Carlos Rodon (2014) and Garrett Crochet (2020) – have had an impact at the big league level.
While The Sox currently boast one of the top starting staffs in MLB, and have promising arms like Jared Kelly, Matthew Thompson, Jonathan Stiever, Andrew Dalquist, Norge Vera and Jimmy Lambert, waiting in the wings, teams can never have too much pitching depth.
Wicks presents an intriguing option who could put himself in the mix sooner rather than later if he falls far enough for the White Sox to pick him. If he happens to be on the board at #22, it’ll be tough for the organization to pass on him.
Photo courtesy of KStatesports.com
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