The amazing baseball story of North Vancouver’s Rowan Wick continues to add new chapters.
On Sunday MLB.com pegged Wick as the most valuable rookie player for the Chicago Cubs, a well-earned nod for a reliever who has played a key role for the team during their late-season push for a playoff spot. As of Sunday Wick had pitched 33 innings in 30 appearances for the Cubs, putting up a stellar 2.45 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, striking out 35 batters against 16 walks. Injuries and inconsistency have hit the Cubs bullpen this season, but Wick has been one of the team’s constants since earning a prominent role in late July.
Over the last two months Wick has been used in a number of high leverage situations, even earning a pair of saves as well as five holds for the Cubs, with manager Joe Maddon calling him the “linchpin” of the Chicago bullpen in the second half of the season.
The former Highlands Little League player was drafted as a power-hitting catcher before getting switched to pitcher three years into his professional career. His first pro pitches came in 2015, and since then he’s moved up through the minors, making his MLB debut last year with the San Diego Padres before moving to the Cubs in a trade last November.
The Cubs are in for a tough fight for a playoff berth entering the final week of play, trailing the Brewers by four games in the race for the final wild card spot in the National League.
