Cubs Prospect Profile: Jackson Ferris |
Now that we have entered the top 10 list regarding the Cubs prospects, this is where things get real. While some players are on the MLB Top 100 list and some are not, that doesn't mean more won't be coming, as the top 10 are considered the difference makers and franchise pieces for this organization.
Most of those pieces are high-potential bats capable of doing plenty of damage, but there is also a quartet of arms inside the Cub's top 10 that could be the leaders of the staff in the not-so-distant future. That includes Cubs' No. 8 prospect Jackson Ferris, who is on the verge of breaking out in a big way. Like fellow top 30 prospect Drew Gray, who checks in at No. 15, Ferris was also a prep star and hailed from IMG Academy in Florida. That means at one point, he was a high school teammate of Gray before being united once again with Myrtle Beach and the Cubs system. Talk about a tough duo to hit against in high school and a potentially lethal duo to contend with again. A 2022 second-round pick, the 6-4 Ferris gives you the height and deception you look for in a lefty, but at less than 170 pounds, he needs to put a ton of weight on to help with his durability. Before entering the draft in 2022, Ferris was part of the most talented Prep Roster in high school and established himself as one of the game's elite pitchers during his junior year in 2021. During that season, he threw a no-hitter and perfect game in his first two outings and never looked back. He ranked with the best high school left-handers in the 2022 class; though he was a bit more inconsistent than expected during the spring, they still gave him a three-million-dollar contract after they drafted Cade Horton in the first round during the same draft. Although he was drafted in 2022, Ferris never saw a professional mound that season, as the Cubs took their time getting him acclimated to pro ball. Even at that, Ferris still spent time at the Cubs ACL system getting workouts, which would help him set the tone for 2023. This past season, not only did Ferris make his professional debut, but he did so without pitching in Short-season ball and landed with Low-A Myrtle Beach, where he spent the entire season. Ferris made 18 starts for the Pelicans during the season, but only threw 56 innings. The Cubs have been known for that over the seasons when it comes to developing pitchers as they like to limit their innings early on, especially if they are coming out of high school. Across his 18 starts, Ferris posted a 2-3 record with an impressive 3.38 ERA. At times, his command was an issue with 33 walks, but he also struck out 77, which shows how tough he can be. Ferris also did that while limiting hitters to a .179 batting average, so there is a lot to like about him this early in his career. If Ferris has his mechanics dialed in, and where they need to be, he has three pitches he can rely on, which is unheard of for a high school player. He relies on his fastball that sits in the 92-95 MPH, but was touching 97 late in the season with the Pelicans. As expected, his best secondary pitch comes from his curveball, as lefties often feature a great bender. Ferris is no exception, as that curveball sits at 78 MPH and has a high spin rate, which the famous 12-6 break lefties tend to have. His third pitch is a mid-80s change-up that is inconsistent but has some terrific fade to it. The more he uses it at the pro level, the more consistency it will have, which could be the key to unlocking his full potential. Ferris has a projectable 6-foot-4 frame and could add more velocity as he gets stronger, which is scary to think about, considering he is already touching 97. One thing Ferris does need to work on is his overall mechanics and delivery, as he has a delivery that can get out of sync, causing problems at times. That is because he has many moving parts in that delivery, making it difficult to repeat. However, Ferris is athletic enough to work through those issues, and that alone makes him someone who could move through the system quicker than usual. Ferris gives hitters a ton of deception with his delivery and physically resembles Blake Snell at the same age but with superior stuff and mechanics. Considering the year Snell had and how consistent he has been, the Cubs will gladly take it if that is the type of pitcher Ferris can become.
