Jordan
Wicks

2021 MLB Draft: Kansas State's ace, Wicks stands at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds and attacks hitters at a tough downhill angle, unleashing 91-94 fastballs, touching 95, and moving the pitch to all quadrants for strikes. He has great feel for a plus to better 81-83 changeup and isn't afraid to start hitters off with it before going back to his fastball. He also has two breaking balls, a mid-80s slider that emerged as a solid-average pitch this spring, and a true curveball at 79-80. Wicks can put together quality starts with just the fastball, changeup and his professional approach, but will need to maintain consistency with a breaking ball.

Struggled against Texas Tech, and entered Friday’s start with a 3.40 ERA in 42.1 innings of work, along with 60 strikeouts and 12 walks. He sat anywhere from 91-94 and up to 95 mph with his fastball, and he was able to move the pitch to all quadrants for strikes. He had particularly good feel for the offering on the inside half against right handed hitters. His fastball attacks hitters at a tough downhill angle, and that tends to induce a hefty amount of ground balls. His spin rate with the offering ranged from 2147-2250. Wicks also showed solid feel for his 81-83 mph changeup. It wasn’t just an offering that would occasionally keep hitters off balance — he started off a few at bats with two-straight changeups before he’d go back to that fastball. He had a lot of comfort in throwing that offering against the Longhorns. Those two aspects of Wicks were impressive, but the one concern I have? The breaking pitches were average at best. He had a mid-80s slider and more of a true curveball at 79-80 mph. But the curveball didn’t have a ton of bite on it and the Longhorns weren’t fooled by the slider. Wicks can put together quality starts with just the fastball and changeup, but as he moves forward toward pro ball, those breaking pitches must be better. He did show a durable frame with a professional approach on the mound.

There are good changeups in college baseball and there is a Jordan Wicks changeup. Routinely showing a 70-grade change, Wicks generated ten swing/misses during his first time around the order during a recent mid-July start. From a three-quarter slot with a low effort delivery and still head, he’s a strike-thrower and an out-getter. In 15 IP this summer, Wicks has a 0.60 ERA, allowing 12 hits and just three walks, while striking out 21. He complements his change-of-pace with a 90-93 mph fastball and carving command. His heater spins in the 2250-2400 range. He also keeps hitters off-balance with a near average upper-70s curveball that spins in the low 2500s and average 82-84 mph slider. Overall, Wicks is the top 2021 prospect on a loaded Rivet roster. At this point he compares favorably to 2020 draftees Jared Shuster (Wake Forest), Logan Allen (Florida International) and Ian Seymour (Virginia Tech) and therefore projects to go somewhere between late in the first to the middle of the second round.

Wicks is 6-foot-1 180 pound left-hander with a large frame and an athletic build.  He works from a 3/4 arm slot with a quick clean arm. He has smooth rhythm and good extension. His fastball is thrown 84-86mph with arm-side run. He commands a curveball with 1/7 action thrown at 72-75 mph. His changeup was thrown 71-73 mph with arm-side run. He has continued to improve has a hitter and is turning heads as a two-way player. He starts from an athletic stance and attacks the baseball with fast bat speed. He has an advanced feel for the barrel and has shown the ability to make loud contact on a consistent basis. Overall Wicks is a solid athlete with an advanced feel to pitch and has an advanced offensive skill set.