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Jordan Hicks (baseball)

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Jordan Hicks
Hicks with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2018
San Francisco Giants – No. 12
Pitcher
Born: (1996-09-06) September 6, 1996 (age 28)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
March 29, 2018, for the St. Louis Cardinals
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record15–28
Earned run average3.93
Strikeouts351
Saves33
Teams

Jordan McKinley Hicks (born September 6, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays.

The Cardinals selected Hicks in the third round of the 2015 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut with them in 2018. The Cardinals traded him to the Blue Jays in 2023. Hicks is one of the hardest throwers in the major leagues, having been measured as throwing as hard as 105 miles per hour (169 km/h).

Amateur career

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Hicks attended Klein Oak High School in Klein, Texas, before transferring to Cypress Creek High School in Houston, Texas, for his senior year.[1] He signed with Tulane University to play college baseball.[2]

Professional career

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Minor leagues

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Hicks with the State College Spikes in 2016

The St. Louis Cardinals selected Hicks in the third round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft out of Cypress Creek High School, and he signed with them for $600,000, forgoing his commitment to Tulane.[3][4] He made his professional debut in 2016 with the Johnson City Cardinals of the Rookie Appalachian League and was promoted to the State College Spikes of the Class A Short Season New York–Penn League during the season. In 12 starts between the two teams, he was 6–2 with a 2.97 ERA.

Hicks started the 2017 season with the Peoria Chiefs of the Class A Midwest League, where he was named to the Midwest League All-Star game.[5] He was promoted to the Palm Beach Cardinals of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League in July, with whom he was 0–1 with one save and a 1.00 ERA, and 32 strikeouts in 27 innings.[6] Hicks finished 2017 with a combined 8–3 record and a 2.74 ERA in 22 games (19 starts) between the two clubs.[7] After the season, the Cardinals assigned Hicks to the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League (AFL),[8] where he was selected to the Fall Stars Game. He finished the AFL season with nine appearances, an 0–2 record, and a 6.32 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 15+2⁄3 innings, along with hitting up to 102.6 miles per hour (165.1 km/h).

St. Louis Cardinals

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2018–2020

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Hicks was a non-roster invitee to 2018 spring training.[9] He made St. Louis' Opening Day roster[10] despite not having ever pitched above Class A-Advanced. He made his major league debut against the New York Mets and produced the highest average fastball velocity of the day at 100.4 miles per hour (161.6 km/h).[11] He pitched one scoreless inning in which he earned his first strikeout against Jay Bruce. On April 21, Hicks earned his first major league win when he pitched the final 2+1⁄3 innings—all scoreless—versus the Cincinnati Reds to help seal a 4–3 victory.[12]

On May 20, Hicks threw the fastest pitch in MLB history, at 105.1 miles per hour (169.1 km/h). He shares this record with Aroldis Chapman.[13][14] His four-seam fastball and sinker had the second- and third-highest average speeds of any MLB pitcher's pitches in 2018, at 100.5 miles per hour (161.7 km/h) and 100.4 miles per hour (161.6 km/h).[14] He continued to garner attention throughout the season as one of the hardest throwing pitchers in MLB.[15] Hicks finished his 2018 rookie campaign with a 3–4 record with six saves, a 3.59 ERA, and a 1.34 WHIP, striking out 70 batters in 77+2⁄3 relief innings.[16]

Hicks began the 2019 season as St. Louis' closer.[17] On June 22, 2019, Hicks was removed from a game with elbow irritation and discomfort, and was originally diagnosed with triceps tendinitis.[18] On June 24, it was revealed he had a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.[19] On June 25, 2019, Hicks opted to have Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, putting him out for the rest of the 2019.[20] He officially underwent the surgery on June 26.[21] For the 2019 season, Hicks compiled a 2–2 record with 14 saves and a 3.14 ERA, striking out 31 batters in 28+1⁄3 innings.[22]

In 2019, his four-seam fastball was on average the fastest in major league baseball, at 100.9 miles per hour (162.4 km/h).[23] His average pitch velocity was the highest in MLB, at 101.1 miles per hour (162.7 km/h).[24] He threw the fastest pitch of the season, at 104.3 miles per hour (167.9 km/h).[25]

On July 13, 2020, Hicks, who has Type 1 diabetes, announced he would be skipping the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[26]

2021–2023

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On March 14, 2021, Hicks was involved in a 22-pitch at-bat during a spring training game against the New York Mets. Mets shortstop Luis Guillorme fouled off 16 pitches before ultimately drawing a walk. This is, to date, the longest at-bat in terms of number of pitches in Major League History.[27]

In early May, Hicks was placed on the injured list due to inflammation in his right elbow.[28] On May 14, Hicks was transferred to the 60-day injured list.[29] He made two rehab starts, but did not make an appearance for the Cardinals for the rest of the season.[30] He was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Glendale Desert Dogs after the season.[31]

Hicks signed a one-year, $937,500 contract with the Cardinals to avoid salary arbitration on March 22.[32] On April 6, one day before Opening Day, the Cardinals announced that Hicks would be the team's fifth starter in the absence of Jack Flaherty.[33]

On January 13, 2023, Hicks agreed to a one-year, $1.8375 million contract with the Cardinals, avoiding salary arbitration.[34]

Toronto Blue Jays

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On July 30, 2023, the Cardinals traded Hicks to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for minor league pitchers Adam Kloffenstein and Sem Robberse.[35][36] He was the first Blue Jays player to be issued the uniform number #12 since Edwin Encarnación in 2010 (the number had originally been retired for Roberto Alomar in 2011, however the Blue Jays quietly unretired it in 2021 following allegations of sexual misconduct committed by Alomar).[37] He became a free agent after the season.

San Francisco Giants

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On January 18, 2024, Hicks signed a four-year contract worth $44 million with the San Francisco Giants.[38] While he was primarily a reliever at that point, he was converted into a starting pitcher for the Giants.[39]

Pitching style

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Hicks is one of the hardest throwers in the major leagues, and has been clocked as throwing as hard as 105 miles per hour (169 km/h).[40] At the start of his professional baseball career, his pitch velocity was inconsistent and he had various mechanical issues. While pitching in an All-Star game, Hicks decided to throw as hard as he could, and reached 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) twice. His velocity and overall mechanics began improving, and he continued pitching in the Arizona Fall League after the 2017 season ended, where he regularly threw 100 mph and above.[41] While starting for the San Francisco Giants, his velocity fell as he worked on preserving his arm over multiple innings, rarely throwing above 96 mph. [42]

Personal life

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Hicks was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was a junior in high school.[43]

Hicks grew up a Houston Astros fan.[41]

References

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  1. ^ "OPPORTUNITY SEEKER: JORDAN HICKS". The Dynasty Guru. April 9, 2018. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  2. ^ "Tulane baseball haul on early signing day is nine players". The Times-Picayune. November 14, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  3. ^ "BASEBALL: Cy Creek's Hicks drafted by Cardinals". June 9, 2015.
  4. ^ "2015 Draft: Signing and Bonus Tracker". MLB.com. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  5. ^ "Chiefs' Hicks dials up 99 mph, Trosclair steals 2 bases to help West win MWL All-Star Game". Journal Star.
  6. ^ "Harrison Bader & Jordan Hicks Earn Cardinals Minor League Honors for July – Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News – Franklin County News". August 5, 2017.
  7. ^ "Jordan Hicks". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  8. ^ Goold, Derrick (September 1, 2017). "Elite prospects Alcantara, Hicks among eight young Cards headed to AFL". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  9. ^ "Cardinals invite 23 non-roster players to Spring Training". Viva El Birdos. February 5, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  10. ^ "Cardinals Release Official 2018 Opening Day Roster". KMOX-AM. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  11. ^ Edwards, John (March 29, 2018). "Cardinals' Jordan Hicks makes historic, hard-throwing debut vs. Mets". The Sporting News. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  12. ^ Trezza, Joe (April 21, 2018). "Yadi's go-ahead homer pushes Cards to win". MLB.com. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  13. ^ Duffley, John (July 21, 2020). "The Fastest Pitch Ever is Quicker Than the Blink of an Eye". FANBUZZ. Wide Open Media Group. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  14. ^ a b "Statcast". Major League Baseball.
  15. ^ "Jordan Hicks has cemented himself as the hardest-throwing pitcher in baseball". September 8, 2018.
  16. ^ Schaeffer, Brenden. "St. Louis Cardinals 2018 player grades: Bullpen". KMOV.com.
  17. ^ "Jordan Hicks working on slider as competition for St. Louis Cardinals closer continues". KMOX-AM. March 4, 2019.
  18. ^ Goold, Derrick (June 22, 2019). "Cardinals call diagnosis 'favorable' after closer Hicks leaves game with irritation, cramping near elbow". stltoday.com.
  19. ^ "Cardinals closer Jordan Hicks has torn UCL". MLB.com. June 24, 2019. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  20. ^ "Cardinals closer Hicks to have TJ surgery". MLB.com. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  21. ^ "Hicks has successful Tommy John surgery". MLB.com.
  22. ^ "Jordan Hicks Stats".
  23. ^ "Statcast Pitch Arsenals Leaderboard | baseballsavant.com". Baseballsavant.mlb.com. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  24. ^ "Statcast | MLB.com". M.mlb.com. May 24, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  25. ^ "Statcast | MLB.com". M.mlb.com. May 24, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  26. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Jordan Hicks opts out of 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns". The St. Louis American. July 14, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  27. ^ "Amazin' at-bat: Mets' Guillorme draws 22-pitch walk vs Hicks". apnews.com. Associated Press. March 15, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  28. ^ "Cardinals' Jordan Hicks becomes third St. Louis pitcher to land on injured list in past week". May 4, 2021.
  29. ^ "Cardinals Place Paul DeJong on 10-Day IL, Select Max Moroff". May 14, 2021.
  30. ^ "Hicks, Gorman among Cards heading to AFL". MLB.com.
  31. ^ "Cardinals announce 2021 Arizona Fall League selections". MLB.com.
  32. ^ "Report: Cardinals, Flaherty avoid arbitration, settle on salary for 2022 season". March 22, 2022.
  33. ^ "Cardinals name Jordan Hicks No. 5 starter". April 6, 2022.
  34. ^ "2023 MLB Arbitration Tracker". MLBTradeRumors. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  35. ^ Axisa, Mike (July 30, 2023). "Jordan Hicks trade: Blue Jays land flame-throwing reliever from Cardinals ahead of deadline". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  36. ^ Passan, Jeff (July 30, 2023). "Toronto Blue Jays acquire Cardinals reliever Jordan Hicks". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  37. ^ Jarden, Sam (July 31, 2023). "Why is Jordan Hicks wearing No. 12 for Blue Jays? How Roberto Alomar's former number was unretired". Sporting News. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  38. ^ Guardado, Maria; Maguire, Brent (January 18, 2024). "Jordan Hicks agrees to 4-year deal with Giants". MLB.com. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  39. ^ DeRosa, Theo (April 21, 2024). "Jordan Hicks' transition to starting rotation". MLB.com. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  40. ^ Lupica, Mike (May 21, 2018). "Hicks brings the heat back to St. Louis". MLB.com. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  41. ^ a b Matz, Eddie (May 6, 2019). "106 or bust? How Jordan Hicks learned he could throw faster than anyone on Earth". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  42. ^ "With lesser velocity, Hicks still refuses to slow down vs. Rockies". NBC Sports Bay Area & California. May 20, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  43. ^ Hochman, Benjamin (June 11, 2018). "Hochman: 'Diabetic Phenom' — that's Cardinals rookie Jordan Hicks". stltoday.com.
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