“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
-Ephesians 2:10
July 11 was the day that Jordan Wicks had been waiting for. After finishing his sophomore year at Kansas State, Wicks had solidified his name as one of the top prospects in the 2021 MLB draft with a changeup that was unlike any other. As he continued to watch his name climb draft boards, he was given the invite to go in person to the draft. Day 1 came, and on July 11th the Chicago Cubs picked Jordan Wicks with the 21st overall pick. As his family and friends celebrated with him, he was congratulated by the commissioner and handed his Cubs jersey. He was on his road to the MLB.
Jordan Wicks was born and raised in Conway, Arkansas. Growing up, he became a headline name in the town and set records in wins (30), ERA (1.54) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.6) at Conway High School. 
Also playing for the football team, Wicks was a star and chose to continue his baseball career at Kansas State. It was during his junior and senior years at Conway, however, where Wicks says his focus changed. Through all the success, Wicks says his faith became a foundation for him and the way that he plays the game. He says, “I didn’t truly discover my relationship with God until probably my junior or senior year of High School. I started going to FCA and hearing about his love and I wanted to create a relationship with him and try and improve it on a daily basis.” He continued to emphasize that relationship and says it has only grown since then and now on his way to joining the Chicago Cubs.
Now beginning his minor league career for the Cubs, Wicks looks to make his rise to the MLB as quickly as he can. 
But he also says he knows that God is in control, and takes comfort in letting Him have the reins of his baseball career. “My faith has influenced my baseball career a lot. It has brought a consistency to it, and I know that no matter what happens, the good or the bad, I know that it is all a part of his plan.” Jordan says his faith helps him remember that baseball is what he does, but it is not who he is. “I try to never let baseball impact my relationship with God. God is the rock of my life. He is always there and he always loves me no matter what happens on that field.”
Jordan Wicks made his debut for the South Bend Cubs, a minor league affiliate of Chicago, on September 5th, 
pitching a scoreless inning and notching his first strike out as a professional baseball player. As he readies for his next appearance, Wicks says he trusts that God is in control, whether or not things on the field go his way. “Faith helps me through all the ups and downs of a season because no matter what happens in baseball I will always have my relationship with God.” Wicks says that relationship is what allows him to keep getting onto the mound regardless of his previous outing, good or bad. “As long as I have that relationship with Him, I can handle whatever is thrown at me.”
Wicks now joins a talented list of Cubs prospects all on the journey of making their way to the big leagues. The minor league baseball life is not an easy one, and many struggle with staying focused mentally and physically on a day to day basis. Jordan says that he is putting everything in God’s hands and trusting that he is right where he needs to be. As Wicks looks at one day pitching in front of sold out crowds in Wrigley Field, he just anticipates the opportunity to inspire whoever is watching and show them that he is playing for an audience of One.
*Photos courtesy of Kansas State Athletics
