MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State left-handed pitcher Jordan Wicks became the program’s first first-round draft pick Sunday evening, as he was selected 21^st overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 2021 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

“I couldn’t be happier to be a Chicago Cub,” Wicks said in an interview with ESPN following his selection. “[I bring] a premier sense of competitiveness. I want to win more than anyone out there. I’m ready to bring that to Chicago. I attack hitters and I am so excited.”

Wicks, who was the first collegiate left-hander taken, becomes the fifth K-State player taken by the Cubs and first since Gerardo Esquivel in 2009. He was the 10^th pitcher selected overall (seventh collegiate pitcher) in this year’s draft and the first player taken from the Big 12.

“It’s a surreal moment,” added Wicks with MLB Network. “It’s the stuff you dream about. I couldn’t be happier to be wearing blue and red, that’s for sure.

“I’m a guy that’s about winning. I’m a guy that’ll show up and do anything possible to help your club win and help your club reach the postseason and a World Series – because that’s my goal. My career will be a success if I’m standing on that stage holding that World Series trophy.”

Wicks is the third Wildcat taken within the first three rounds of the MLB Draft. Jack Woolsey was K-State’s highest selection when he was taken in the second round (42^nd overall) in the 1969 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants. Carter Jurica was picked in the third round by the Giants in 2010 (105^th overall).

“He’s been hungry since the day he stepped on campus,” K-State head coach Pete Hughes said of Wicks. “He’s just wired differently. He’s always hungry and looking to get to a different level, looking to win and be a good teammate. Those guys usually have really long careers.”

Hughes has now tutored 76 draftees in his 24-year head coaching career, as Wicks becomes the 17^th taken within the first 10 rounds and second first-rounder. Wicks is the second draft pick in Hughes’ three seasons at K-State.

Wicks’ selection caps a season that included being named All-America Third Team (Collegiate Baseball), All-Central Region Second Team (ABCA/Rawlings), All-Big 12 First Team and National Pitcher of the Week.

In his three-year Wildcat career, the Conway, Arkansas, native was named 2019 Big 12 Freshman of the Year, 2019 Freshman All-America, 2020 Summer Breakout Prospect Award Winner (D1Baseball.com) and to the 2021 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List.

The southpaw became the first Wildcat to earn All-America (third team or better) honors from Collegiate Baseball since 2013. Wicks was a Preseason All-America Third Team pick by Collegiate Baseball prior to the 2021 campaign.

In 2021, Wicks led the Wildcats with six victories to go with a 3.70 earned run average. He struck out a single-season program record 118 batters to lead the Big 12 during the regular season and shattered the K-State career strikeout mark with 230 career strikeouts.

Wicks turned in seven quality efforts and went at least five innings in all 15 starts this season. He totaled a team-high 92 1/3 innings, issuing just 28 walks, with opponents hitting .249 against him.

In 34 career starts, he went 15-6 with a 3.24 ERA, logging 203 innings with 230 strikeouts against just 58 walks. Wicks’ career earned run average is 10^th best among qualified pitchers in Wildcat history.

In his freshman-of-the-year campaign in 2019, he broke the program’s freshman records in both innings pitched (84 2/3) and strikeouts (86) – both of which had stood since 1973.

Wicks’ selection marks the 17^th time in the last 18 seasons in which a Wildcat was chosen in the MLB Draft, with last year’s shortened five-round Draft being the only year in which a K-State player was not taken. Wicks is the first Wildcat pitcher taken since the 2017 MLB Draft (Jordan Floyd, Parker Rigler).

The 2021 MLB Draft continues Monday with rounds 2-10, beginning at 12 p.m. CT. The 20-round Draft concludes Tuesday at 11 a.m. with rounds 11-20. The final two days of the Draft can be streamed at MLB.com.