Transaction: San Diego Padres send RHP Rowan Wick to the Chicago Cubs for 3B Jason Vosler
About Wick: Wick is a 26-year old righty that made his MLB debut in 2018, pitching 8 1/3 innings over ten games for the Padres. The back story on Wick is more interesting than anything else honestly. He was drafted by the Cardinals as a left-handed hitting catcher out of Canada, but was then moved to the outfield. He had plus raw power as a hitter with a strong arm and some athleticism so he fit the mold as a potential right fielder. Ultimately his struggles with picking up spin ended his career as a hitting prospect, and in June of 2015 the Cardinals sent him to the GCL to learn how to pitch.
The Padres claimed Wick off waivers from the Cardinals just before spring training in 2018. Wick split the 2018 campaign between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso before getting a September call-up to finish out the year.
Wick throws a 94 MPH fastball 2/3 of the time and mixes in a high-80s slider and a mid-70s curveball. The slider is by far the best of his best of his two secondaries. Wick is likely just an up-and-down guy for the Cubs.
Video courtesy of MLB.com
About Vosler: Jason Vosler was a 16th round pick by the Cubs out of Northeastern in the 2014 draft. It’s a power over hit tool skill set, but he seems likely to be limited to a platoon role at best. The left-handed hitting Vosler hit significantly better against righties with a .274/.353/.526 line, compared to a .182/.263/.298 mark against lefties. He’s spent some time in recent years also playing first and second in the minors to add to his average glove at third. He’s a dead pull hitter (over 50% of his balls in play) and he posts strong fly-ball rates. He should post average power numbers against righties if he can make enough contact. His 27.9% K rate across Double-A and Triple-A is a slight cause for concern.