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Gladiator Showdown: Aaron Hicks vs John Ryan Murphy

Brock Beauchamp

By Brock Beauchamp
in Minnesota Twins Talk

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Hosken Bombo Disco All-Star

Hosken Bombo Disco

Community Moderator
Posted
Posted

Well, this trade is turning out a lot like many people expected... Yes, it's early and yes, a lot can change but I thought it'd be fun to track these two over the course of the season because important things are important.

 

I'm going to use BB-Ref for simplicity's sake. As of 4/16:

 

Hicks:

13 PAs, .083/.154/.083/.237, -29 OPS+, -0.4 WAR

 

Murphy:

11 PAs, .091/.091/.182/.273, -23 OPS+, 0.0 WAR

 

Not a lot of data points but I'm declaring a winner none-the-less. While Hicks is dominant with his .071 isoD, Murphy is raking the ball to all fields with his .099 higher slugging. Despite Hicks' bird-of-prey eye from both sides of the plate, it's pretty clear Murphy has taken an early and possibly commanding lead with a keen power stroke, led by his -23 OPS+, a full -6 OPS+ higher than Hicks' early effort.

 

Our inaugural champion, wearing the white shorts with red and gold piping:

http://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201604090/images/headshots/0/09077946_mlbam.jpg

Brilliant stuff.

 

However, Hicks has surged ahead of Murphy in OPS+ after yesterday, -30 to -44. This bears watching and I wouldn't be one bit surprised to see Murphy pick himself up off the carpet today and strike out, I mean strike back.

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Brock Beauchamp GOAT

Brock Beauchamp

Site Manager
Posted
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Brilliant stuff.

 

However, Hicks has surged ahead of Murphy in OPS+ after yesterday, -30 to -44. This bears watching and I wouldn't be one bit surprised to see Murphy pick himself up off the carpet today and strike out, I mean strike back.

In situations such as this, we can't allow ourselves to be swayed by a single day of play.

 

But we need to revisit this at least once a week, maybe twice.

USAFChief GOAT

USAFChief

Twins Daily Contributor
Posted
Posted

Which, given the fact that Aaron Hicks can't hit, makes it an interesting option to explore to solve the catching issue.

 

I agree that there were better options over the last few years, but we have more upside in this trade if you can just accept that Hicks isn't any good.

I don't think "Aaron Hicks can't hit" is factual.

jorgenswest St Paul Saints

jorgenswest

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

I think Murphy's skills as a receiver and Gibson's ability to pitch in the lower part of the strike zone are a good match. If Gibson isn't getting the bottom of the strike zone, he needs to bring his pitches up and will not be as successful. I hope Molitor keeps these two paired for a few more starts.

TheLeviathan MVP

TheLeviathan

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

 

I don't think "Aaron Hicks can't hit" is factual.

 

Well, there is an abundance of factual evidence to the point.  

 

I guess he might be able to hit well in a tee ball game, but major league pitching has been a dumpster fire.

Willihammer Cedar Rapids Kernels

Willihammer

Provisional Member
Posted
Posted

 

I think Murphy's skills as a receiver and Gibson's ability to pitch in the lower part of the strike zone are a good match. If Gibson isn't getting the bottom of the strike zone, he needs to bring his pitches up and will not be as successful. I hope Molitor keeps these two paired for a few more starts.

Agree. He stole at least one or two strikes today and looks okay at blocking and fielding. But his bat doesn't look any better than Suzuki's IMO. Or Hicks'.

Platoon Cedar Rapids Kernels

Platoon

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

SSS alert! Murphy can't block low balls, Suzuki can't throw, and neither one can hit! Now I know why Gardy carried 3 catchers! :)

ashbury GOAT

ashbury

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

EDIT: I didn't realize this until I watched it again, but he gunned out former Twin Danny Valencia too! 

Well then it doesn't really count. :)

 

After watching the video I wonder if the runner would have given himself a better chance just going straight for the plate with his left foot. Even with recent rules protecting fielders, you can still do that, right?

big dog FCL Twins

big dog

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

 

Well then it doesn't really count. :)

 

After watching the video I wonder if the runner would have given himself a better chance just going straight for the plate with his left foot. Even with recent rules protecting fielders, you can still do that, right?

Agreed- it was a great throw, but my take was that Valencia would have been safe if he'd gone straight to the plate.  Worst case, I think umps would have called him safe for McCann "blocking" the plate.

 

Still, a great throw, no question.

 

I note that Danny has an OPS+ of 103, and 4 errors at third base in 14 games.  I thought everyone but the A's had decided 3B was not his position.

Brock Beauchamp GOAT

Brock Beauchamp

Site Manager
Posted
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Posted

Things have turned on their head in the past week. John Ryan Murphy, famed slugger from the first week of the season, has wilted under the bright lights of the Big Show, collecting only a single hit in the last seven days.

 

Meanwhile, Aaron Hicks has crushed the Big Apple with his laser-focused eye at the plate, collecting both a hit and a walk. When combined with his stellar defense and 194mph rocket arm in center, he's nearly back to replacement level. Watch out New York, there's a new Sheriff in town and his name is Aaron ****ing Hicks.

 

John Ryan Murphy:

.077 .111 .115 .226, -36 OPS+, -0.2 WAR

 

Aaron Hicks:

.095 .174 .095 .269, -20 OPS+, -0.2 WAR

 

Our winner, wearing the white trunks with black piping:

http://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201604090/images/headshots/b/b5cb7a54_mlbam.jpg

Mike Sixel GOAT

Mike Sixel

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

There is an insider article on ESPN today with all of Law's posts about Hicks from his time as a 16 yo to his last year in the minors.........kind of interesting if you want to see how his thoughts did/did not change over time.

Linus Cedar Rapids Kernels

Linus

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

I actually would keep the trade. Murphy is youngish already better than Susuki behind the plate. Fingers crossed he turns out to be ok with the stick

ashbury GOAT

ashbury

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

Better pray it works out. I don't think there's another C on the 40 man

We can always trade a surplus outfielder for one.

Riverbrian Cooperstown

Riverbrian

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

 

Better pray it works out. I don't think there's another C on the 40 man

 

Who knows how I will feel a year from now... but as of right now. 

 

I still feel... actually the feeling has increased... almost doubled... that the trade was a mistake. 

 

Hicks should be starting in CF for the Twins 

 

Buxton should have started in AAA  (Yes... We'd be complaining about Hick's Start but at least our better prospect wouldn't be striking out at a 50 percent clip.)

 

and JR Murphy should be with the Yankees. 

 

Who Should be the backup Catcher for the Twins

 

Salty... Arencebia... I Don't Care... The Hicks guy they just released for nothing.

 

Just pick someone who doesn't cost us a guy who has Power Speed and an Arm capable of hitting the upper 90's. 

 

 

 

David HK Cedar Rapids Kernels

David HK

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

 

And Hicksie takes an insurmountable lead.

Which of the 2 Hicksie's that they pssd away wins?  Aaron or John?  Sheesh, this team...

  • 3 weeks later...
Otto von Ballpark All-Star

Otto von Ballpark

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

Another update: Aaron Hicks with 2 hits and a walk last night, including a go-ahead RBI double in the 7th inning. With the aid of two recent HR, he has almost tripled his OPS from a week ago, up to .546 now (just ahead of Rosario).

 

John Ryan Murphy has taken a unique approach to besting him, though -- his .354 OPS at AAA, when added on top of his .219 OPS in MLB, could give him the lead!  (Gladiator showdowns aren't good places for math anyway :) )

  • 4 months later...

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