Hicks

[drivlikejehu]

 

You're right about that, for me the difference with Hicks is the lack of progress over those at bats. We are no closer than we were 650 at bats ago.

 

I can't really argue with this, but his AAA performance this year still gives me pause. It's fairly unusual for a player his age to dominate in AAA across the board (average, on-base, power) and then forever be completely helpless in the Majors. The sample size wasn't huge, but still... switch hitting is a factor that can slow progress, by requiring a player to work on two basically separate swings at the same time.

 

For whatever reason, things don't seem to come natural to Hicks, but I'm not sure turnarounds of the kind he needs are rare enough to justify giving up on him.

[TheLeviathan]

 

For whatever reason, things don't seem to come natural to Hicks, but I'm not sure turnarounds of the kind he needs are rare enough to justify giving up on him.

 

To be clear, I don't want to give up on him.  I've just conceded his ceiling has been drastically lowered.

[Mike Sixel]

Still not sure anyone is giving up on him, but he is not currently a MLB hitter. Rosario is hitting better, Buxton is here......you want Hicks on the bench half the time, or in AS A when he is healthy?

[jokin]

Still not sure anyone is giving up on him, but he is not currently a MLB hitter. Rosario is hitting better, Buxton is here......you want Hicks on the bench half the time, or in AS A when he is healthy?

AAA?

 

ASAP?

[drivlikejehu]

 

To be clear, I don't want to give up on him.  I've just conceded his ceiling has been drastically lowered.

 

Maybe it's a perspective thing... I had already long since given up on Hicks being an actually good hitter. The question to me is whether he hits enough for a starting MLB CF.

[Mike Sixel]

 

AAA?

ASAP?

 

Stupid auto correct......that should have been AAA.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

To be clear, I don't want to give up on him.  I've just conceded his ceiling has been drastically lowered.

To pick a nit, I don't think his ceiling has lowered at all... but expectations have definitely lowered.

 

It's still possible that Hicks becomes a very good hitter but that becomes less likely by the day.

 

I, for one, appreciate Hicks' new approach even if it's not turning into results yet. If he has the patience to stick with it - a real concern given Aaron's past flip-flopping and apparent mental struggles with the game - it could show results in the long run.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I can't really argue with this, but his AAA performance this year still gives me pause. It's fairly unusual for a player his age to dominate in AAA across the board (average, on-base, power) and then forever be completely helpless in the Majors.

Chris Parmelee, 2012.  Although if Hicks could someday manage his 85-95 OPS+, he would be a solid asset in CF.

 

Doesn't help that Hicks was not asked to sustain that AAA performance.  (Not that I wanted him to stay down longer, just that it isn't clear that's his AAA true talent level from just 123 PA.)  HIs power in that small sample was also mostly of the 2B/3B variety, which might be harder to translate to MLB (yesterday's 3B-fest in Texas notwithstanding ).

 

From the same year as Parmelee (2012), there's also Jordan Danks, Tim Fedroff, and Alex Presley atop the AAA leaderboards, just noting a trio of OFers of similar age to Hicks now.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Oh, and when I say Hicks should be the 4th OF, it's not really a knock on Hicks.  I just think/hope we will have 3 better options soon.  And Hicks could be an asset in that role, and still see significant playing time.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Oh, and when I say Hicks should be the 4th OF, it's not really a knock on Hicks.  I just think/hope we will have 3 better options soon.  And Hicks could be an asset in that role, and still see significant playing time.

I'm also leaning toward Hicks coming back to the Twins as a fourth outfielder, at least in the short-term.

 

Buxton gets centerfield for obvious reasons.

 

Rosario is playing well enough to continue starting in a corner spot.

 

Torii Hunter is Torii Hunter. He might profile better as a DH but with Arcia, Vargas, and Sano on the 40 man, does anyone *really* think that's the best option right now?

[TheLeviathan]

To pick a nit, I don't think his ceiling has lowered at all... but expectations have definitely run.

Frankly, I think it's both. The reality of his talent level relative to the big leagues has lowered what I think of his ceiling.

[SheboyganBrats]

I also see Hicks in the 4th outfielder role, but, playing almost full-time.  He plays 3-4 days a week in RF with Hunter DHing.  Then Hicks spells Buxton and Rosario one day a week.  Vargas can DH when Hunter is in the outfield, and he can spell Mauer at first one or two days a week.  This maximizes premium outfield defense, gives the young guys development time, and gives the old guys some needed rest.  Of course, if the offensive production is dreadful, Hicks becomes an unaffordable luxury in that role.

[dxpavelka]

 

I believed that a long stint in AAA this year was his last chance and I thought he could still be part of the future.  But his bat is still atrocious and he still makes comical misplays in CF.

 

He's a 4th OF.  I don't like it but I concede it.

Problem is you don't have 3 better even with Buxton.

 

[TheLeviathan]

 

Problem is you don't have 3 better even with Buxton.

 

Maybe, but as bad as he is offensively it's certainly up for debate.

[Linus]

I guess I have a different take than most here.....the one play not withstanding, he has played really well in the field providing a level of defense we haven't seen in CF in a long while.

 

If he continues to do that and collect a hit a game / a hit and a walk a game he would be a viable starting CF for somebody.  Throw in a little power and he could play right field as more of a defense first type of player, especially if the rest of the lineup is providing some offense

 

I guess I've lowered my expectations.....

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Problem is you don't have 3 better even with Buxton.

Hunter, Rosario, and Buxton.

 

Hicks might be a better option than Hunter in the future but in the here and now, Hunter is the better player and deserves to trot out to RF several times a week (though I certainly wouldn't mind seeing him DH more regularly to keep him fresh through the stretch and to minimize his defensive impact).

[dxpavelka]

 

Maybe, but as bad as he is offensively it's certainly up for debate.

And yet his batting average is the same as that of the cleanup hitter and higher than the starting DH, Catcher & Shortstop.  I know he hasn't driven in a lot of runs but that can be a bit of a fickle stat-See Joe Mauer 2014 vs. 2015.  It can also be tough to do when mostly hitting behind the afforementiond DH, C & SS.

[TheLeviathan]

 

And yet his batting average is the same as that of the cleanup hitter and higher than the starting DH, Catcher & Shortstop.  I know he hasn't driven in a lot of runs but that can be a bit of a fickle stat-See Joe Mauer 2014 vs. 2015.  It can also be tough to do when mostly hitting behind the afforementiond DH, C & SS.

 

Just because we have a lot of bad hitters doesn't make Hicks a good one.  You made the point about OFs and Brock said it nicely - yes there are clearly three better.

 

Hicks problem isn't driving in runs, it's just plain driving the ball.  Until he starts to actually hit the ball with authority I don't care how his approach changes.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Hunter, Rosario, and Buxton.

Yup, that's my "starting 3" right now too, with the 4th OF spelling Hunter a fair amount, especially as we search for a permanent DH solution.  (And Rosario and especially Buxton don't have to be "162 games" level starters yet either.)

[stringer bell]

Buxton could be back in Chattanooga in two weeks. Rosario could go 1-25, but IMHO, those guys will hit. I was going to ask who would have more extra base hits by the time Hicks got off the DL--Hicks or Buxton--but previous posters have pretty much made that point.

 

Sub .300 OBP + negligible power equals backup player at any of the corner positions. Sugar Shane has better number in about the same number of plate appearances.

[SwainZag]

 

I'm also leaning toward Hicks coming back to the Twins as a fourth outfielder, at least in the short-term.

 

Buxton gets centerfield for obvious reasons.

 

Rosario is playing well enough to continue starting in a corner spot.

 

Torii Hunter is Torii Hunter. He might profile better as a DH but with Arcia, Vargas, and Sano on the 40 man, does anyone *really* think that's the best option right now?

 

 I think would make for a great 4th OF at this point when he comes back.  He plays decent OF defense, he would provide munch needed speed off the bench and at least IMO, is a better overall player and better long term asset than Robinson is at this point.

[dxpavelka]

 

Buxton could be back in Chattanooga in two weeks. Rosario could go 1-25, but IMHO, those guys will hit. I was going to ask who would have more extra base hits by the time Hicks got off the DL--Hicks or Buxton--but previous posters have pretty much made that point.

Sub .300 OBP + negligible power equals backup player at any of the corner positions. Sugar Shane has better number in about the same number of plate appearances

 

If you count on Salt Shane as anything more than a role player on a contending team you won't be a contending team for long.  If you count on him as anything more than a role player on a building team you WILL be building for a long time.

[curt1965]

The ball was over his head and the win was blowing, but he got to it.  Maybe few outfielders would have gotten to that ball, but Hicks did and then he dropped it.  An OF needs to go and get balls, but then he also has to catch the balls he gets to.  Hicks made an error at a key point in the game.  That is the sign of a screwed up player, 

 

The most troubling part is that the next day, he withdraws himself from the lineup.  Once more Hicks has proven himself to be a screwed up young man.  He does not have the character needed to play big league ball.  

Screwed up player who does not have the character to play in the big leagues?? You are certain about this because of why.........?

Everybody is entitled to his opinion. I hate it when fans sink to character assassination because they don't particularly like a certain player, or a player doesn't immediately perform like a superstar.

Many posters are too young to remember that Rod Carew was an absolute prick in his early years. Most of these players are in their mid 20's with varying degrees of confidence, composure, and maturity. I have no problem with saying that they are not good players, but let's wait with references that are not as yet certain.