Cubs draft college LHP Jordan Wicks with 21st overall pick originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Cubs took the pitcher with Baseball America’s top-ranked changeup and third-rated command among college pitchers in the draft when they selected Kansas State left-hander Jordan Wicks.
Wicks, who also has a fastball in the low-to-mid-90s, was the 10th pitcher taken in the draft — seventh college pitcher.
“It’s a surreal moment. It’s something you dream about,” Wicks said during the draft broadcast. “I just couldn’t be happier to be wearing blue and red, that’s for sure.”
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He's the first Kansas State baseball player ever drafted in the first round.
It was the third time in four years the Cubs drafted outside the top 20 overall — but only the 12th time since the draft began in 1965.
One of those picks, 24th overall pick Nico Hoerner of Stanford in 2018, reached the majors a few months later and has been one of the Cubs’ better hitters when healthy this season.
NBC Sports
The Cubs have had the 21st overall pick in one other draft: when they took Rutgers right-hander Bobby Brownlie in 2002.
Brownlie, who was drafted four spots behind Cole Hamels and four spots ahead of Matt Cain, never reached the majors.
What in recent years was a 40-round major-league draft was cut in 2020 to five because of the pandemic (and consequent cancelation of the minor-league season) before the new-normal of 20 rounds was instituted this season as part of an MLB player-development overhaul that involved significant minor-league contraction.
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