Article: It's Time For Aaron Hicks

[Nick Nelson]

You may have heard this arbitrary but nevertheless impressive statistic: Since the beginning of last August, the Minnesota Twins lead all of baseball in runs scored. This year they have outscored all but three American League teams, and during their current 9-2 stretch they've averaged nearly seven runs per game.

 

It seems safe to say that offense is not a major problem for this team, Sunday's punchless effort against Danny Salazar notwithstanding. Yet it's still bothersome that the Twins have continued to hold off on making the most obvious move possible to upgrade their lineup.

 

When will Aaron Hicks get a look?Throughout spring training, most expected that Hicks would end up winning the center field job, if only for a lack of better options. But Hicks had a tough spring, highlighted by a few notable gaffes and mental blunders, and ultimately the lesser options prevailed.

 

The Twins opted to roll with a pair of backup-caliber players in Jordan Schafer and Shane Robinson, with the presumption being that this sub-par duo would only be keeping the spot warm until a superior option proved ready.

 

Well, Schafer and Robinson have been as bad as expected if not worse, producing a miserable .590 combined OPS in center field, while Hicks has done just about everything possible to show he's ready for another chance in the majors.

 

In 26 games at Rochester, the switch-hitting 25-year-old has a spectacular .330/.412/.553 hitting line. He has shown discipline (20/15 K/BB) and plenty of power (nine doubles, four triples, two homers), and he has even hit from the left side (.880 OPS), yet he remains relegated to Triple-A while the Twins keep trotting out non-legitimate major-league starters in center day after day. On Sunday, Schafer once again looked completely overmatched in going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts.

 

People can point to Hicks' poor numbers in his first two seasons, but Schafer -- who is three years older -- has a nearly identical career OPS. There have got to be deeper factors at play in Minnesota's decision to continually eschew its former first-round draft pick.

 

Whatever those might be, it's time to get past them and give the kid another shot. Hicks is in his final option year, which means that next season they'll no longer have the option to bury him in the minors in deference to veteran sub-mediocrity. This year represents the club's last chance to determine whether Hicks is going to be a big-league asset going forward, and they'll gain no clarity by allowing him to keep beating up Triple-A pitching.

 

We talked last week about an eventual long-term upgrade in center, but most agree that Byron Buxton's arrival is at least a month or two away. Hicks, on the other hand, is quite clearly ready for his chance now. And every day the Twins wait, they're doing themselves -- and their fans -- a disservice. The situation in center field right now is simply untenable.

 

The Twins are off on Monday and Hicks was not in the Rochester lineup on Sunday, so I wouldn't be surprised to see the change take place before the next series in Detroit gets underway.

 

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[Old Twins Cap]

If this were any other team, and the situation was the same, do you honestly think another GM would not call up a better Triple AAA option to play CF?

 

Truly ridiculous at this point.  Magnified by the fact that the Twins are actually in contention and could legitimately benefit from a better center fielder.

[Linus]

Not gonna happen. With his track record he needs to prove himself longer than one month. The Twins have screwed him up several times already. Let him prove it until July and then bring him up if he is still raking.

[John Kelsey]

 

Not gonna happen. With his track record he needs to prove himself longer than one month. The Twins have screwed him up several times already. Let him prove it until July and then bring him up if he is still raking.

 

There is no way he can stay in AAA until July if he keeps hitting the way he is with Schafer/Robinson on the big league squad. 

[Linus]

It's not about the major league club it's about doing the right thing for Hicks which would be to let him master AAA.

[howieramone2]

Our favorite team is attempting to salvage a once top prospect who has lost his luster. While doing so, they have remained in contention with admitted placeholders in CF. What's the down side?

[blindeke]

I hope you're right about the off-day! I'd love to see Hicks again, who can be frustrating and hopeful. How wonderful would it be to see a guy who struggled so mightily his first time up succeed?

[USAFChief]

Couldn't agree more, Nick.

[spinowner]

There are good reasons to call him up now and there are good reasons not to. What I want the Twins to do is whatever it takes for him to realize his potential and be a contributing part of the Twins outfield in 2016 and beyond. I hope they guess right.

And I'll always remember the time he accidentally threw the ball 320 feet on the fly to get Vernon Wells out at third base in Yankee Stadium.

[halfchest]

I understand making him wait a little bit.  I can't say the Twins have wronged him in any way after the last two seasons handing him a starting job.  That said, yah I'd like to see him up fairly soon now with how he's hitting and given the alternatives.  If he could hit well enough to lock down a corner position long term that would add some great value.  

 

I'm hopeful he's matured and can deliver in the big leagues.  

[TheDean]

Bring him up. He's hitting AAA well, so add him to the list of guys who can hit AAA and have struggled in the majors: Parmelee, Colabello (doing better with the Jays I see?), Herrmann, Arcia, et al. What do none of them have that Hicks has? Defensive ability.

 

Sure, it's only a month, but he's not like Buxton, Sano, or even Rosario coming off seasons with absolutely no baseball. He's had a tough time in the majors, but I'd like to imagine it wasn't wasted time. I can buy that he can hit AAA/AAAA pitchers (he did it in Spring Training twice before); it makes sense for his talent level and experience. I don't think it's a mirage.

 

Add on top that he would likely be the second best defensive OFer on the team (assuming Rosario is only here temporarily-arguable on whether he's better anyway, and that Hicks is a more complete OFer than Schafer). Robinson might be better than them all, but even the rookie version of Hicks is on par with him offensively.

It's time indeed.

 

[stringer bell]

I have been critical of Hicks and for two straight springs I said "send him to AAA".  This year the Twins did as I suggested.  Hicks has done everything asked of him in Rochester.  My only concern is that it has only been a little over a month. 

 

In Schafer's defense, he hasn't been 100% healthy, but his contribution has been minute. 

 

Unless there is something we don't know about, it is time to give Hicks his third and final chance.

[PseudoSABR]

It all depends on the unstated reasons for his lack of promotion, doesn't it?  If those aspects of his 'game' haven't been substantively addressed--even in spite of his recent AAA success--then it wouldn't do Hicks or the Twins good to promote him.   That said, I hope he's up soon enough.  Let's hope he can count the outs when he's here.

[USAFChief]

There are good reasons to call him up now and there are good reasons not to. What I want the Twins to do is whatever it takes for him to realize his potential and be a contributing part of the Twins outfield in 2016 and beyond. I hope they guess right.

And I'll always remember the time he accidentally threw the ball 320 feet on the fly to get Vernon Wells out at third base in Yankee Stadium.

"Accidentally?"

[drivlikejehu]

Hicks clearly can play in AAA - it's just a waste of everyone's time to keep him there. There is zero question that Hicks is better than Schafer, and it isn't even close. Either the Twins should upgrade their own CF situation, or they should trade Hicks to someone else who will. 

[h2oface]

Absolutely. Get Hicks up here. The past is the past and now is now. For now, keep Robinson and designate Schafer. He has been hot the last seven before today though..... hitting over .400. After today, .313 in only 16 ABs, but that still counts. And to be fair, only one Twin didn't look over matched today at the plate. But I like Robinson's routes and arm and accuracy more than Schafer until his time is up. And with all that speed, Schafer can't even seem to buy a stolen base this year. Here's to an outfield with Buxton and Hicks and ?/?/? sooner than never.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Hicks clearly can play in AAA - it's just a waste of everyone's time to keep him there. There is zero question that Hicks is better than Schafer, and it isn't even close. Either the Twins should upgrade their own CF situation, or they should trade Hicks to someone else who will. 

 

What, exactly, makes you so sure he is better?  Hicks has had two shots and has been as bad as Schaefer has both times while playing some pretty subpar defense to boot.  

 

I always targeted June 1st as the time for Hicks unless he forced the issue.  His problem is consistency and bringing his A game no matter what else is going on.  Can that be shown in a month of AAA?  To me, the answer to Hicks' readiness isn't going to be found in the boxscore.  It'll be from the coaches reports on his attitude and approach.  

 

But let's be clear about things, the last option year is not a reason to jump now.  If anything, it's more reason to get it right this time.  There is only one chance to salvage Hicks as part of the future, rushing to judgement out of fear of options only adds to that pressure.  

 

Also, the fact of Schaefer's age and similar production as reasons for promoting Hicks are a non-factor.  Schaefer has zero chance of being a part of the future.  Hicks still has a slim chance.  This has nothing to do with a comparison of career production and everything to do with Hicks having only one more shot to get it right.  I don't find that argument particularly compelling yet, not unless his coaches down there see him as a changed man.

[blairpaul715]

I personally dont see a correlation between Hicks off on Sunday and the Twins having Monday off..........my opinion Hicks wont be up till June 15, or till when he finishes season his service time is less than 2 yrs, as of start of season his service time was 1 yr 67 days. I am happy with Robinson, and temporarily satisfied with Schafer, I do hope HIcks comes up and never looks back, but I am in lets wait till at least June to make the move.......My guess it will come just after draft time, when some moves internally from all the teams in the Twins system are made. JMO

[Seth Stohs]

I tweeted the following from the Twins Daily twitter account this morning. Since Hicks didn't play on Sunday, the numbers are still accurate.

 

Short-term success:

 

 

Twins Daily @twinsdaily  ·  14h 14 hours ago
In his last 19 games, Aaron Hicks has hit .389/.464/.597 (1.062) with 8 doubles, 2 triples and a homer. #ExtendedSuccess

 

Extended success: 

 

 

Twins Daily @twinsdaily  ·  14h 14 hours ago
In Aaron Hicks' last six games, he is hitting .480/.536/.880 (1.416) with five doubles, a triple and a homer. #BringHimUp

 

Summary: It's Time!

[curt1965]

There have been some issues with Hicks that we are not privy to, but attitude and effort seem to be the main the problems. Fans seem to forget that this is still a young kid, who made some obvious mistakes in the past couple of years. Do fans remember how many times a young Hunter and Cuddyer were sent down after failing in the big leagues?

The Twins have performed much better than expected so far this season, and have an obvious hole in CF. If the fans are expected to pay good money to see these guys perform, we should also have to right to expect that the FO puts the best product on the field.

I don't quite understand why their is so much animosity with Hicks. Maybe we should remember some of the things we did, or how me acted at times, when we were young.

[Dantes929]

There is a really huge assumption here in that if Hicks continues to play in the minors he will continue to hit .330 until June 1st or 15th or whatever.   I have advocated playing him in a platoon but if you are saying he is a full time player then there will never be a better time to call him up than right now.   If he continues to hit well in the minors we have gained nothing from keeping him there.  If he goes in a slump in the minors we will have missed our window for promoting him when his confidence is high and his stats warrant the promotion.    I would try to bring him up to face a team that starts a lot of lefties but probably would not start him out against Price.   

[GMinTraining]

When has a player in the Twins system truly benefited from staying in the minor leagues for extended time?  Who in recent memory has come to the bigs and played up to expectations?

 

Both Santana and Vargas played above expectations last year and neither was expected to do what they did at the MLB level their Rookie seasons.  Now they are center pieces.  Arcia had a great minor league record and is showing that reps at the MLB level is his only need.  

 

Many players just need MLB failure to figure things out.  REPS REPS REPS

Minor league pitching (at any level) can not simulate the David Prices of the world.  When the time calls for it  - IT REQUIRES TRIAL BY ERROR

[HitInAPinch]

 

I tweeted the following from the Twins Daily twitter account this morning. Since Hicks didn't play on Sunday, the numbers are still accurate.

 

Short-term success:

 

Extended success: 

 

Summary: It's Time!

 

With Hicks, the stats are of less importance than the person.  Or do I have to quote Paul Molitor again :-)  This line from Nick's article says it all:

 

"Throughout spring training, most expected that Hicks would end up winning the center field job, if only for a lack of better options. But Hicks had a tough spring, highlighted by a few notable gaffes and mental blunders, and ultimately the lesser options prevailed."

 

re:  Hicks' assumed he had the job and sloughed off.  This is the kind of stuff that Molitor talked about.  Molitor wants the whole package before Hicks is brought up again. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

When has a player in the Twins system truly benefited from staying in the minor leagues for extended time?  Who in recent memory has come to the bigs and played up to expectations?

 

Both Santana and Vargas played above expectations last year and neither was expected to do what they did at the MLB level their Rookie seasons.  Now they are center pieces.  Arcia had a great minor league record and is showing that reps at the MLB level is his only need.  

 

Many players just need MLB failure to figure things out.  REPS REPS REPS

Minor league pitching (at any level) can not simulate the David Prices of the world.  When the time calls for it  - IT REQUIRES TRIAL BY ERROR

 

It's kind of ironic this is being said in a Hicks thread.  He got promoted straight out of AA and didn't exactly do well for 2 years.  I'm fine letting him sit in the minors a bit longer.  If he's truly figured it out, those numbers will continue.  If it's a fluke, we'll know in a month.

[TheLeviathan]

It's kind of ironic this is being said in a Hicks thread.  He got promoted straight out of AA and didn't exactly do well for 2 years.  I'm fine letting him sit in the minors a bit longer.  If he's truly figured it out, those numbers will continue.  If it's a fluke, we'll know in a month.

Right, it seems kind of odd to say he's ready and he has to be up now so a AAA slump doesn't wreck his confidence. If struggling a bit in AAA is all it takes to shatter him than he really isn't ready.

[Platoon]

With Hicks, the stats are of less importance than the person.  Or do I have to quote Paul Molitor again :-)  This line from Nick's article says it all:

 

"Throughout spring training, most expected that Hicks would end up winning the center field job, if only for a lack of better options. But Hicks had a tough spring, highlighted by a few notable gaffes and mental blunders, and ultimately the lesser options prevailed."

 

re:  Hicks' assumed he had the job and sloughed off.  This is the kind of stuff that Molitor talked about.  Molitor wants the whole package before Hicks is brought up again.

 

There is no dispute Hicks has a bit of an stubborn, yet air head quality to him. Other notable Twins failures that have had that liability? Carlos Gomez and Matt Garza. Since Gardy was here so long, it seemed like the Twins Doghouse was his property. But maybe there was a silent partner. Molitor makes pronouncements and excuses for players being here, or not. But is that the "good soldier" bit? They sent Hicks down to improve, he has done his part. He's not a 22 yr old rookie anymore, and he's not trying to replace Mike Trout or Torri Hunter! And it's time to get a handle on this decision. This is still a very flawed baseball team. Keep shuffling the chairs!

[HitInAPinch]

My list of IF's

 

1.  IF the Twins are still hovering around .500 at the All Star break [July 14]

2.  IF Hicks is still on a hitting rampage at the All Star break AND is focused

3.  IF the Schaefer/Robinson collective are still a mediocre combo in CF

4.  THEN it's time to bring up Hicks.

[KGB]

Let Hick prove it a little longer at AAA.  The last 2 years he has had a hot month in Spring Training, then the Twins lose the backup CF in waivers, then Hicks flops at the majors. No reason to do this for the third time. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

I don't need to see half a season out of Hicks to believe he's a changed man but 19 games hasn't convinced me of anything. I'm glad he's doing well but he needs to show he can hit for a longer period of time and more importantly, coaches need to weigh in on Hicks' mental game before a promotion is handed out. I'm less worried about his ability than I am the grey matter betwixt his ears. That could be today, it could be June. I don't know.

[Twinfan & Dad]

Why wait? In under a years time Buxton will be the man and where does that leave Hicks but as a 4th outfielder. What the Twins have in center now is a joke. This is Hicks final shot before Buxton takes over.