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Cubs Wowed by Wicks’ Historic Debut

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Cubs
By Matthew Postins | Last updated 8/27/23

After extracting himself from serious trouble in the first inning, Jordan Wicks put together a masterful outing in his Chicago Cubs debut on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Cubs promoted Wicks, their No. 10 overall prospect, from Triple-A Iowa before the game to take his first start in the Majors.

He had a rough start. In the first, the first batter he faced, Ke’Bryan Hayes, hit his 10th home run of the season on the second pitch Wicks threw. Then, he gave up a single to Bryan Reynolds and walked Andrew McCutcheon. That prompted a mound visit.

From there, Wicks dealed. He struck out Connor Joe, Endy Rodriguez and Joshua Palacios to strand Reynolds and McCutcheon and end the inning.

Then, in the second, Wicks’ streak rolled on as he fanned Liover Peguero and Jack Suwinski before Alika Williams grounded out to end the second.

Per Elias Sports Bureau, he became the first Cubs pitcher to strike out at least five straight hitters in his MLB debut in the expansion era (since 1961).

After walking McCutcheon in the first, Wicks retired 15 straight hitters before he was removed from the game after five innings and the Cubs leading, 8-1.

Per Elias, he was the first Cubs pitcher to retire at least 15 straight hitters in his MLB debut in the expansion era.

Wicks struck out nine batters in his debut, giving up just two hits and one earned run. HE also walked one. He threw 80 pitches and reliever Hayden Wesneski came on in his place.

With nine strikeouts, Wicks became the fourth starter in Cubs history (since 1901) to strike out at least nine hitters in his MLB debut.

Wicks is in his third season in the Cubs’ organization and split his 2023 between Double-A Tennessee and Iowa. Combined he is 7-0 with a 3.55 ERA with 99 strikeouts and 32 walks. Batters are hitting just .223 against him.

With the Iowa Cubs he is 3-0 in seven starts with 30 strikeouts and 13 walks in 33 innings.

Wicks split 2022 between the High Class-A South Bend Cubs and Tennessee, going a combined 4-6 with a 3.80 ERA in 24 starts, throwing 94.2 innings. He struck out 121 and walked 28 and allowed batters to hit .247 against him.

In 2021 he made his pro debut with the Class-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans, throwing four starts without a decision. He had a 5.14 ERA with five strikeouts and three walks in seven innings.

Wicks was the Cubs’ first-round pick in 2021 after a tremendous career with Kansas State.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Cubs and was syndicated with permission.

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