Rowan David Wick (born November 9, 1992) is a Canadian
professional baseball
Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in baseball league, leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world.
Mod ...
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw ...
for the
Yokohama DeNA BayStars
The are a professional baseball team in the Japan, Japanese Central League. Their home field is Yokohama Stadium, located in central Yokohama. The team has been known by several names since becoming a professional team in 1950. It adopted its c ...
of
Nippon Professional Baseball
or NPB is the highest level of baseball in Japan. Locally, it is often called , meaning ''Professional Baseball''.
Outside Japan, it is often just referred to as "Japanese baseball". The roots of the league can be traced back to the formation ...
(NPB). He has previously played in
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...
(MLB) for the
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penna ...
and
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
.
Career
Amateur
Wick attended
Carson Graham Secondary School
Carson Graham Secondary is a public high school in the city of North Vancouver, British Columbia and part of School District 44 North Vancouver.
History
The school opened September 15, 1965, and is named after Dr. Carson Graham. In 2009, Car ...
in
North Vancouver,
British Columbia
British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...
,
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
and was drafted by the
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are an American professional baseball team based in Milwaukee. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division. The Brewers are named for t ...
in the 19th round of the
2010 MLB draft
The 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held on June 7–9, 2010 at the MLB Network Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey.
First-round selections
The draft order was determined based on the 2009 MLB standings, with the worst team pic ...
. He did not sign with the Brewers and attended
St. John's University to play
college baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. In comparison to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a smaller role in developing professional pl ...
. After one year at St. John's, Wick transferred to
Cypress College
Cypress College is a public community college in Cypress, California. It is part of the California Community Colleges System and belongs to the North Orange County Community College District. It offers a variety of general education (55 associat ...
. He played for the
La Crosse Loggers
The La Crosse Loggers are a La Crosse, Wisconsin based baseball team playing in the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league. Since the team's inaugural season in 2003, they have played at Copeland Park. The ballpark is nicknamed "th ...
of the summer collegiate
Northwoods League
The Northwoods League is a collegiate summer baseball wooden bat league. All players in the league must have NCAA eligibility remaining in order to participate. The league is amateur, and players are not paid, so as to maintain their college el ...
during the summer of 2011. He was drafted by the
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Since the 2006 season, the Cardinals hav ...
in the ninth round of the
2012 MLB draft
The 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held from June 4 through June 6, 2012, from Studio 42 of the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. The Houston Astros, with the first overall pick, selected Carlos Correa from the Puerto R ...
.
St. Louis Cardinals
![Rowan Wick (14341760167) (cropped)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/Rowan_Wick_%2814341760167%29_%28cropped%29.jpg)
Wick signed with the Cardinals and started his professional career as a
catcher
Catcher is a Baseball positions, position in baseball and softball. When a Batter (baseball), batter takes their at bat, turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the (home plate, home) Umpire (baseball), umpire, and recei ...
. He made his professional debut in 2012 with the
Gulf Coast Cardinals
The Florida Complex League Cardinals are a Rookie-level affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, competing in the Florida Complex League of Minor League Baseball. Prior to 2021, the team was known as the Gulf Coast League Cardinals. The team plays i ...
where he batted .156 in 23 games.
He gave up 12 passed balls in 12 games.
He played 2013 with the
Johnson City Cardinals
The Johnson City Cardinals were a Minor League Baseball team based in Johnson City, Tennessee. The team was affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals organization from 1975 through 2020 and played in the Rookie-level Appalachian League. The team won ...
. He batted .256 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs in 56 games.
He split his time on defense between catcher and right field.
In 2014, Wick switched to the
outfield
The outfield, in cricket, baseball and softball is the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield. In association football, the outfield players are positioned outside the goal area.
In cricket, baseball and ...
, where he played with the
State College Spikes
The State College Spikes are a collegiate summer baseball team of the MLB Draft League. They are located in State College, Pennsylvania, and play their home games at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on the campus of Pennsylvania State University.
The ...
and
Peoria Chiefs
The Peoria Chiefs are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. The team was established in 1983 as the Peoria Suns. They are located in Peoria, Illinois, and are named for the Peori ...
, compiling a .292 batting average with 20 home runs and 60 RBIs in 74 games between the two teams. He played 64 games in right field and seven games in left field.
In 2015, Wick started the season with the
Palm Beach Cardinals
The Palm Beach Cardinals are a Minor League Baseball team of the Florida State League and the Single-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They are located in the town of Jupiter in Palm Beach County, Florida, and play their home games at Roge ...
. He had a slow start with the bat; batting .198 in 33 games, playing right field.
He was transitioned into a pitcher and finished the season with the Gulf Coast Cardinals, giving up two runs in two innings.
In 2016, his first full season as a pitcher, he played for both Palm Beach and the
Springfield Cardinals
The Springfield Cardinals are a Minor League Baseball team based in Springfield, Missouri. They compete as a member of the Texas League's North Division. The Cardinals began play in 2005.
The team is owned by the 11-time Major League Baseball ...
, where he posted a 2–0 record and 2.44 ERA with 20 walks and 57 strikeouts in 44.1
innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched (IP) are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher is on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one innin ...
out of the bullpen.
After the season, the Cardinals assigned Wick to the
Glendale Desert Dogs
The Glendale Desert Dogs are a baseball team that plays in the West Division of the Arizona Fall League. They play their home games at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. The ballpark is also the spring training facility of the Chicago White ...
of the
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League (AFL) is an off-season sports league owned and operated by Major League Baseball (MLB) which operates during the autumn in Arizona, United States, at six different baseball complexes. Arizona Fall League rosters are fill ...
where he had a 4.50 ERA,
and added him to their
40-man roster
A Major League Baseball roster is a list of players who are allowed, by league agreement, to play for a Major League Baseball (MLB) team. Each MLB team maintains two rosters: an active roster of players eligible to participate in an MLB game, and ...
.
In 2017, Wick began the season with the
Memphis Redbirds
The Memphis Redbirds are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They are located in Memphis, Tennessee, and are named for their Major League Baseball affiliate. The Redbir ...
, but was placed on the
disabled list
In Major League Baseball (MLB), the injured list (IL) is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players. Before the 2019 season, it was known as the disabled list (DL).
General guidelines
...
on May 14 and was not reactivated until July 10. After being reactivated, he reported to Springfield. He returned to Memphis in September. In 16 appearances for Springfield, he posted a 2.08 ERA and in 14 appearances for Memphis he was 2–1 with a 5.40 ERA.
On February 14, 2018, Wick was designated for assignment by the Cardinals after the signing of
Bud Norris
David Stefan "Bud" Norris (March 2, 1985) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles ...
became official.
San Diego Padres
On February 16, 2018, Wick was claimed off waivers by the
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penna ...
. On March 28, Wick was outrighted off the 40-man roster. He began the season with the
San Antonio Missions
The San Antonio Missions are a Minor League Baseball team of the Texas League and the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. They are located in San Antonio, Texas, and are named for the Spanish missions around which the city was founded. ...
. On August 31, 2018, he made his MLB debut.
He was 0–1 with a 6.48 ERA in 10 games for the Padres in 2018.
Chicago Cubs
On November 20, 2018, Wick was traded to the
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
in exchange for
Jason Vosler. In 2019 for the Cubs, Wick appeared in 31 games, recording a 2–0 record and 2.43 ERA with 16 walks and 35 strikeouts in 33.1 innings pitched.
In the shortened 2020 season, Wick appeared in 19 games for Chicago, pitching to a 3.12 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 17.1 innings of work. He went on the injured list in September with a left
oblique
Oblique may refer to:
* an alternative name for the character usually called a slash (punctuation) ( / )
* Oblique angle, in geometry
*Oblique triangle, in geometry
*Oblique lattice, in geometry
* Oblique leaf base, a characteristic shape of the b ...
strain.
On April 26, 2021, Wick was placed on the 60-day injured list with a left oblique
intercostal strain. He missed the first four months of the season with the injury. On August 10, Wick was activated off of the injured list. He was 0–1 with a 4.30 ERA in 22 games for the Cubs.
Between the High-A
South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are located in South Bend, Indiana, and play their home games at Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium.
The team was or ...
and the Triple-A
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are located in Des Moines, Iowa, and are named for their Major League Baseball (MLB) affiliate. The ...
, he was 1–0 with a 6.14 ERA.
In 2022, Wick made 64 appearances out of the bullpen for Chicago, logging a 4-7 record and 4.22 ERA with 69 strikeouts and 9 saves in 64.0 innings pitched. On November 18, 2022, Wick signed a one-year, $1.55 million contract with the Cubs, avoiding arbitration.
On March 27, 2023, Wick was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Iowa. In 23 games for Iowa, he struggled to an 8.60 ERA with 35 strikeouts in innings pitched. Wick was released by the Cubs organization on July 15.
Toronto Blue Jays
On July 27, 2023, Wick signed a minor league contract with the
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...
. He did not appear in a game for the Braves organization and was released on July 31.
On August 2, 2023, Wick signed a minor league contract with the
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since 1989, the team has played its home games ...
organization. In 20 games for the Triple–A
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons (known colloquially as the Herd) are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Located in Buffalo, New York, the team plays their home games at Sahlen Fiel ...
, he posted a 3.86 ERA with 38 strikeouts and 5 saves in 21.0 innings of work. Wick elected free agency following the season on November 6.
Yokohama DeNA BayStars
On December 16, 2023, Wick signed with the
Yokohama DeNA BayStars
The are a professional baseball team in the Japan, Japanese Central League. Their home field is Yokohama Stadium, located in central Yokohama. The team has been known by several names since becoming a professional team in 1950. It adopted its c ...
of
Nippon Professional Baseball
or NPB is the highest level of baseball in Japan. Locally, it is often called , meaning ''Professional Baseball''.
Outside Japan, it is often just referred to as "Japanese baseball". The roots of the league can be traced back to the formation ...
.
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wick, Rowan
1992 births
Living people
Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players
Canadian expatriate baseball players in the United States
Chicago Cubs players
Cypress Chargers baseball players
El Paso Chihuahuas players
Glendale Desert Dogs players
Gulf Coast Cardinals players
Iowa Cubs players
Johnson City Cardinals players
Major League Baseball pitchers
Major League Baseball players from Canada
Memphis Redbirds players
Palm Beach Cardinals players
Peoria Chiefs players
San Antonio Missions players
San Diego Padres players
Springfield Cardinals players
State College Spikes players
World Baseball Classic players of Canada
2017 World Baseball Classic players
La Crosse Loggers players