MLB Rumors: Best prospects the Braves, Cardinals and Cubs should consider trading
By Mark Powell
MLB Rumors: Cubs could trade Jordan Wicks
The Chicago Cubs are in a unique position. Chicago is better than most thought they would be this season, though still hovering around .500. If management deems this team still a year away, then perhaps selling off some valuable assets makes sense.
If Jed Hoyer and Co. are in a position to buy at the deadline, then Jordan Wicks should be the highest-ranked prospect they consider dealing. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cade Hoyer and Kevin Alcantara are ranked in MLB Pipeline’s latest top-100 prospect rankings, with Wicks on the outside looking in. That, however, does not make him a bad prospect to trade.
Wicks is 23 years old and on the precipice of being a regular piece of the big-league rotation. That makes him all the more valuable, and a useful prospect to trade in deals for top-tier talent.
Per MLB Pipeline, it’s Wicks breaking stuff that makes him elite:
"“Wicks had the best changeup in his Draft class, a plus-plus offering in the low 80s that tumbles at the plate and helps the rest of his repertoire play up because it keeps hitters so off balance. His four-seam fastball is more notable for its riding action than its velocity, usually ranging from 91-93 mph and topping out at 96, and he’ll also mix in an occasional sinker. The Cubs have helped him add sweep to his low-80s slider, which has become a solid breaking pitch in contrast to his fringy upper-70s curveball.”"
While he can’t overpower hitters, hit fastball still sits mid-90’s, and is good enough to keep batters honest. Wicks would be a valuable addition to any farm system, but only for the right price.