Hicks

[DaveW]

Guy gets more grief (a lot of it warranted) then any twins player the pat few years, let's take a moment and give him some props for a real nice few games since the recall. Hopefully this lasts and he becomes our RF of the future alongside Buxton in CF and Rosario in LF!

[JB_Iowa]

He just looks a lot different at the plate.

 

Confident.  BIG.  Feels like he grew into man muscles over the winter.

 

Still speedy in the field.  

 

Hope he keep it up and can raise the average a little.  He could become a really solid CF.

[beckmt]

I agree, he looks better.  Does not mean he is going to make it, just means Twins need to give him an extended look.  With Buxton's injury, it looks like he has most of this year to make his point.

[nytwinsfan]

Indeed, although both those HRs came against lefties. He has a .783 OPS against lefties and a .550 OPS against righties.

 

If all else fails, he has a future as a platoon outfielder. No question. I'd love to see the Twins keep him in that role, which when combined with his plus defense would make him a valuable player. But I'm not sure if Molitor is anything more than a dabbler when it comes to platooning.

[Cast of Thousands]

I'm pulling for Hicks, no doubt about it.  Buxton has been LONG assumed to be "the guy" and he's got the tools to do just that but Hicks has some value, for sure.

 

Here's hoping that he puts together a great second half and finds a home somewhere on the 25-man roster.  I doubt he ever garners much trade value but who knows at this point.

[Loosey]

I know it's impossible to tell just by looking at a TV screen but he looks much more confident at the plate.  He always seemed to be guessing which pitch was coming, now he seems like he is waiting for his pitch and fighting off ones he doesn't like.  I hope he keeps it up.  Plus that catch was AMAZING last night.  Didn't know it at the time but that was a game saving catch.

[spinowner]

I hope our four outfielders next year will be Arcia, Buxton, Hicks and Rosario. Arcia or Rosario in left, Hicks or Rosario in right and Buxton or Hicks in center. If they can all improve as expected (or as hoped) for players at their ages that could be a formidable group with little to no drop-off when one is out of the lineup.

[blairpaul715]

 

I hope our four outfielders next year will be Arcia, Buxton, Hicks and Rosario. Arcia or Rosario in left, Hicks or Rosario in right and Buxton or Hicks in center. If they can all improve as expected (or as hoped) for players at their ages that could be a formidable group with little to no drop-off when one is out of the lineup.

Here is my hope for whole the starting 9 and defense for 2016

1 Buxton CF

2 Dozier 2B

3 Hunter/Mauer DH

4 Sano 1B

5 Plouffe 3B

6 Rosario LF

7 Hicks/Arcia RF

8 Suzuki C

9 Polanco SS

D Santana and Escobar Utility

 

Now altho i prefer Hunter retire, i dont think he will, but if he did, then Vargas in place of Hunter.......And you know the Twins will not put Mauer at DH for most of the days, but I want Sano in the field..............If this all happened we wouldnt have much waiting in the immediate wings, Kepler and who else???

[twinsnorth49]

As much as I've dismissed Hicks in the past, I have a soft spot for him due to how the Twins have jerked him around. He does look more confident and assertive now, I still think he's a 4th OF at best but I'd be happy to be wrong.

[DaveW]

Here is my hope for whole the starting 9 and defense for 2016

1 Buxton CF

2 Dozier 2B

3 Hunter/Mauer DH

4 Sano 1B

5 Plouffe 3B

6 Rosario LF

7 Hicks/Arcia RF

8 Suzuki C

9 Polanco SS

D Santana and Escobar Utility

 

Now altho i prefer Hunter retire, i dont think he will, but if he did, then Vargas in place of Hunter.......And you know the Twins will not put Mauer at DH for most of the days, but I want Sano in the field..............If this all happened we wouldnt have much waiting in the immediate wings, Kepler and who else???

why is it such a big deal for Sano to play 1st base? He is young, he isn't going to lose all his athleticism by spending a year or two at DH and occasionally at 3B/1b

[nytwinsfan]

1 Buxton CF

2 Dozier 2B

3 Mauer 1B

4 Sano 3B

5 Arcia/Bench DH

6. Kepler LF

7 Rosario/Hicks RF

8 Suzuki C (uggh, unless we trade Plouffe for a catcher)

9 Polanco SS

Bench Escobar, Santana, Turner

 

Get rid of Hunter and Plouffe. Sub in one of the bench bats or Rosario for Arcia against lefties on some or all days. Walker will be up in a year or two to be the DH against lefties, but realistically probably not early next year.

[nytwinsfan]

 

why is it such a big deal for Sano to play 1st base? He is young, he isn't going to lose all his athleticism by spending a year or two at DH and occasionally at 3B/1b

Because why have two good third baseman (and both righties) on a team when you can trade one of them for something of equal value? Sure, until Sano his proved himself for more than 5 games, and until some of the other big bats from the minors are ready (Buxton, Polanco, Kepler, Walker), let's wait to trade Plouffe. But at some point . . .

[jimmer]

 

why is it such a big deal for Sano to play 1st base? He is young, he isn't going to lose all his athleticism by spending a year or two at DH and occasionally at 3B/1b

I just hope Sano proves he can actually play adequate D at 3B before we're dumb enough to trade Plouffe.  Not that defense counts in the corner OF or the corner IF spots...hardly matters in the grand scheme of things.

[jimbo92107]

Aaron Hicks, all we ask is one measly home run per game, and a few eye-popping catches in center. That's all we ask. Oh, and a couple stolen bases. That's all we ask. And a throw or two to gun down a runner. That's it, that's all we want. And maybe a bunt single. That's all we ask...

[DJL44]

 

Indeed, although both those HRs came against lefties. He has a .783 OPS against lefties and a .550 OPS against righties.

 

Jordan Schafer versus RHP in 2015: .459 OPS

Shane Robinson versus LHP in 2015: .594 OPS

 

Looks like Hicks is outplaying both halves of the original CF platoon.

[Thegrin]

It is no secret that I question Hicks' character.  A player that comes to a game and doesn't know who the opposing starting pitcher is has serious problems.  However, he is a fine fielder, except after making a critical error he comes down with an injury ???  Anyone who has had to deal with an alcoholic or drug addict is familiar with this type of self-sabotaging behavior  (I am not saying that Hicks is an alcoholic or drug addict, but he demonstrates the character weaknesses that they have.) He is not interested when he should be interested. He is not focused when he should be focused.  He is always needing people to make excuses for him because "something happened" that prevented him from doing what he should have done, 

All that being said, he can change.  Someone can enter his life that can help him change. Help him focus on the job at the time he needs to be focused on his job.  He can be a terrific defender. He can hit for power and average and get his share of walks.  I think Torii Hunter. has had a positive influence on Hicks, and perhaps he will "grow up" during this 2015 season.  One can only hope.  

[GACbaseball]

Hicks is solid at what he is - a great 4th outfielder or a respectable starter. I'd be more than happy to have him, Arcia, Buxton, and Rosario as the outfield of the future. I'd be fine with keeping Torii around next year to keep grooming these young guys and be a full time DH. (Ideally that would mean Plouffe gets traded to make room for Sano at 3B)

 

The hate towards Hicks is all because of his stature as a former 1st round pick that we traded away Denard Span to make room for... If we have more realistic expectations for Hicks, he's actually a decent player

[blairpaul715]

 

why is it such a big deal for Sano to play 1st base? He is young, he isn't going to lose all his athleticism by spending a year or two at DH and occasionally at 3B/1b

Well that is fine, but he is athletic, why not play the field.......and i dont have a problem as long as it is not full time DH, and he gets some time in the field.

[jimmer]

 

It is no secret that I question Hicks' character.  A player that comes to a game and doesn't know who the opposing starting pitcher is has serious problems.  However, he is a fine fielder, except after making a critical error he comes down with an injury ???  Anyone who has had to deal with an alcoholic or drug addict is familiar with this type of self-sabotaging behavior  (I am not saying that Hicks is an alcoholic or drug addict, but he demonstrates the character weaknesses that they have.) He is not interested when he should be interested. He is not focused when he should be focused.  He is always needing people to make excuses for him because "something happened" that prevented him from doing what he should have done, 

All that being said, he can change.  Someone can enter his life that can help him change. Help him focus on the job at the time he needs to be focused on his job.  He can be a terrific defender. He can hit for power and average and get his share of walks.  I think Torii Hunter. has had a positive influence on Hicks, and perhaps he will "grow up" during this 2015 season.  One can only hope.  

Than GOD for Torii Hunter.

[nytwinsfan]

 

Jordan Schafer versus RHP in 2015: .459 OPS

Shane Robinson versus LHP in 2015: .594 OPS

 

Looks like Hicks is outplaying both halves of the original CF platoon.

 

True, but no way he is going to outplay any of Arcia, Rosario, or Kepler against RHP.

[MileHighTwinsFan]

I really think the Twins would like him to be one of their corner outfielders for a long time.  His defense and speed combined with a good approach at the plate and power makes him a well-rounded outfielder consistent with what is considered the prototype for today's game.

 

Arcia's defensive limitations and his high strikeout rate makes him a less compelling and definitely less of a complete player.   

 

I have thought for a long time that the Twins see the Royals outfield as a model and I have to say that a Rosario, Buxton, Hicks outfield would most closely resemble what the Royals have.   

 

While I would hope to see a place for Arcia on this club - I really think his days are numbered.

 

Of course we need to see Hicks perform every day to deserve that outfield spot, but I have to say that he definitely looks like a more mature and focused player - the kind of player that deserves to be a starter on a competitive baseball team.   

[dxpavelka]

 

Here is my hope for whole the starting 9 and defense for 2016

1 Buxton CF

2 Dozier 2B

3 Hunter/Mauer DH

4 Sano 1B

5 Plouffe 3B

6 Rosario LF

7 Hicks/Arcia RF

8 Suzuki C

9 Polanco SS

D Santana and Escobar Utility

 

Now altho i prefer Hunter retire, i dont think he will, but if he did, then Vargas in place of Hunter.......And you know the Twins will not put Mauer at DH for most of the days, but I want Sano in the field..............If this all happened we wouldnt have much waiting in the immediate wings, Kepler and who else???

I want Sano in the field too but why not have that be at 3B where 90% of his minor league games have been rather than at 1B where he has played 1 game.  Why not give him a year or two to get acclimated to big league pitching before messing with a position switch and see if he can actually play 3B defensively at the big league level rather than just assuming he can't because he's "too big" (see:  Sandoval, Pablo; World Series Rings:  3) or because somebody else says he can't?

[ckrolak]

We need to keep Hicks because you know that no matter his flaws, he'll be sure to flourish on another team.  That's just the way it seems to have been over the years.  I'm hoping that Molitor will change all of that.

[blairpaul715]

 

I want Sano in the field too but why not have that be at 3B where 90% of his minor league games have been rather than at 1B where he has played 1 game.  Why not give him a year or two to get acclimated to big league pitching before messing with a position switch and see if he can actually play 3B defensively at the big league level rather than just assuming he can't because he's "too big" (see:  Sandoval, Pablo; World Series Rings:  3) or because somebody else says he can't?

No where in there did i say he cant play 3B, but Plouffe is an very good defensive 3B, why replace him, unless you trade him, and i have no prob with a trade if we get some value back..............Just remember this is one mans opinion

[sane]

 

True, but no way he is going to outplay any of Arcia, Rosario, or Kepler against RHP.

Hicks will outplay Arcia defensively (and baserunning); by far more than Arcia will outplay Hicks hitting.

[Linus]

Part of the issue is that, like many topics on TD, people get way ahead of themselves when it comes to player development and expectations.  He's likely not going to be a great player and that happens, a very high percentage of the time when it comes to prospects.

 

If he can keep improving, however, he will have some trade value as a good defensive CF.  Like good catchers and shortstops, they are not in large supply.

[Brock Beauchamp]

We need to keep Hicks because you know that no matter his flaws, he'll be sure to flourish on another team. That's just the way it seems to have been over the years. I'm hoping that Molitor will change all of that.

This is nothing more than observation and/or survivor bias, take your pick. You notice the guys that succeed, you forget the Bobby Kieltys.

[nytwinsfan]

 

Hicks will outplay Arcia defensively (and baserunning); by far more than Arcia will outplay Hicks hitting.

Not against righties. That being said, I'm all for moving Arcia to mostly DH (or trading him if the price is right) and leaving the corner outfield for Hicks and Rosario/Kepler/Walker.

[jorgenswest]

Not against righties. That being said, I'm all for moving Arcia to mostly DH (or trading him if the price is right) and leaving the corner outfield for Hicks and Rosario/Kepler/Walker.

The Twins can not count on Walker or Kepler to arrive and produce. Expect them to go back and forth between the majors and AAA the first few years. Arcia is needed in RF next year.

[stringer bell]

The catch he made last night was pretty spectacular. Watching live, it looked like he just threw up his glove, but he was tracking the ball. So far, his offensive numbers aren't good, but he sure looks better at the plate.