Cubs Prospect Jackson Ferris Dominates In Down East

Image credit: Jackson Ferris (Brian Westerholt/Four Seam Images)

KINSTON, N.C.—Since debuting on May 5, Cubs lefthander Jackson Ferris has been one of the most intriguing prospects in Chicago’s system. The 2022 second-rounder out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., has been limited to no more than four innings in any of his 13 starts, but he’s still shown premium stuff and remaining projection in an already-physical frame.

On Aug. 2, Ferris pitched in the second game of a doubleheader against Down East. Despite an elongated first inning in which he threw 26 pitches and walked a hitter, the lefthander settled enough to strike out a career-high nine over 3.1 innings. In other words, nine of the 10 outs Ferris recorded were via strikes.

Ferris’ fastball was especially impressive. The pitch was a low-90s sizzler that touched 94 but got swings and misses thanks to outstanding late life. He backed the pitch with a low-70s curveball, a high-70s slider and a high-80s changeup. By BA’s count, Ferris got 14 swings and misses in 60 pitches, good for a rate of 23.3%.

Nine whiffs came on fastballs, four on sliders and two on changeups. Eight of his strikeouts came on swings and misses (four on fastballs, four on breaking balls) and the other came on a 93 mph fastball.

The outing brings Ferris’ season total to 51 strikeouts in 35 innings. He has 22 walks in that span as well—and it was evident against Down East that he did have some control issues and mechanical inconsistencies to iron out—but there’s little doubt that the lefthander is one of the more up-arrow prospects in the game.